On the run, a vampire hunt. [Social][Frederik&Berggeit][Closed]

Why I'm running. Was the thought that ran through her head. She stopped running to take a breath, she had been running for a while now. She remembered walking into a village, where she looked for shelter. It was there where she saw what she was. She had seen herself in the window of a store. She wore dark brown pants with an orange belt. On top of that, she wore a brown-grey kimono. Her clothing was ripped apart and brownish red on the edges of those cuts. There were an empty holster and an empty scabbard, the later she lost while being on the run. Her hair was black and long, almost to the ground. Her skin was pale and she was skinny to the bone, underfed and then she felt the hunger.

Hunger, she thought, that was it. She had felt so hungry. She wanted to eat at the inn but when she entered every one got silent, someone that played a knife game got distracted and cut one of his fingers. The smell of blood was so strong and inviting. "Oh gods," She screeched out, I attacked him. She recalled that she flew at the man, grabbing for its arm and that she took a bite out of it. The flesh tasted too good, she didn't even hear the men scream. She knew it was bad but she couldn't stop herself and took another bite. It took a moment before the room exploded in panic after the panic came violence. She ran out of the inn, into the cover of darkness. She ran as fast as she could. The people soon followed her, some had pitchforks, others swords and there where torches as well.

She heard shouts behind her and saw the lights as well. She started running again, into the mountains. She kept on going until she eventually collapsed on the cold, damp mountain road.

Fiore was a tremendously large place, a country filled with large towns that were brimming with daily life. Towns like Magnolia or Hargeon which attracted all kinds of people from all across the continent, or smaller ones were daily life went on undisturbed at its own pace. Or so Dahau thought.
As he and some of the Savages were setting up camp near an old mining entrance, the night sky around them got suddenly lit up with small moving dots of lights. Obviously torches, and many of them. Which was strange, there were no big groups of bandits or anything alike around these parts. Only a small village not worthy of anyone's attention, yet somehow it appeared to be very lively tonight.

One of the Savages had already put his hand on the hilt of his sword, while another summoned forth a ghastly looking familiar in the form of a wolf. 'Sir, should we check it out? Trying to see what is going on here?' Said the first one, eagerly to make some sort of reputation for himself.
'Yes, go ahead, report to me when you find anything interesting' he responded. While gazing at the flickering lights in the distance. They weren't so close yet, but still not far enough for Dahau to sense the number of people. It was a mob of around hundred men and women, yet not a single one of any significant worth. They were all commoners, ordinary people so there was nothing for him or his comrades to be worried about. In fact, since they were all simple humans, why not have a little fun. His men were eager to do something, they were travelling since they met up at Hargeon after all. And the taverns could only provide ale and sometimes the alluring flesh of female companionship. However what it didn't give his men, was an answer to their bloodlust. They were Savages after all.

'Sir!' One of the earlier mages reemerged from the darkness 'we found something already!' As he said that the other also appeared only with a young woman carrying on her back. Passed out. And unmoving, even when he put her on the ground. 'We think they might be been chasing her my lord'
Dahau looked at the girl for a moment, she had long dark hair and her skin was incredibly pale looking, sickly even. It looked like as if she hadn't eaten properly in a long time.
Curiously Dahau took a closer look, asking himself why he couldn't sense her magical presence earlier. She was obviously a magic user, that was clearly sensible now. Maybe it was because she was so weak, no there was something else, this wasn't just because she was weak. 'Let's wake her up shall we'

She dreamed that she was in a cave, fighting demonic dogs and in the end a vampire. Not a vampire like those of fairy tales but a monster-like giant bat. The vampire managed to wound and bite her. The pain she felt, felt surreal. Almost a reality but it had to be a dream. Because she perished in her dream after she killed the vampire. It’s a dream, she thought. She felt a stab of pain in her shoulder, where the vampire had bitten her. She screamed out in pain. She was wide awake now, she looked around. She was in a tent, there were some noises around here. But she couldn't make tell what was happening. She closed and opened her eyes again, she saw now the souls of humans. She saw a few around her and a whole lot at a little distance away. "Where I'm I?" She said with panic in her voice. Who were the people that brought her here and why? Those though ran through her head.

'Easy there girl, you are among friends'

She probably wouldn't believe it right away since she was being hunted down by an entire village. But there was some truth in Dahau's words. Everyone that got hunted by mere commoners like that had to potential to be an asset or even a member of the darkest guild in Fiore.
As she emerged from the tent, you could easily see that she was very different from most people Dahau had seen. Her skin looked frail, sickly even and it was almost as pale as snow. Yet her hair was long a black and looked very vibrant. Then there were her ears, those were long and pointy and didn't even looked the same as a human.

'So tell me girl' continued Dahau 'Who might you be? Why are these peasants hunting you down and more importantly how can it be that you barely managed to escape my senses!'

This was the question that irked Dahau the most, somehow this fragile looking thing had managed what he thought the impossible, to escape his detection. It could be because she was on the brink of death since she did look that way, but Dahau knew there was something more. Now that she was close he could feel there was something off about her.

She looked with big eyes at the man in front of her. The man was dressed in dark colours with a long fur-trimmed cloak, a charismatic would be the best description to describe the individual. He took all her focus, forgetting the others around her that seemed to be his companions. Saying they were friends didn’t give her a safe feeling nor did it give more fear. She didn’t know what to do or feel at the moment.
But the man forced action from her, “Wh-who are you,” She said in a soft voice, she didn’t remember her own name. She somehow thought that she would get her memory back if she postponed the question. She didn’t wait for an answer, “I don’t know why they are.” She lied, in a higher pitched voice. In truth, she had attacked a man in the inn, but that wasn’t her she had told herself. It felt as if she was possessed. She didn’t trust anyone, confiding in someone else was out of the question.
“I- I don’t know.” She said, in the soft voice like before. After that, she snapped, and the tears rolled over her cheek. What is happing to me, was her thought.  It is not fair.

'They aren't chasing you for the fun of it my dear' replied Dahau with an underlining threatening tone. It was obvious that right now Dahau was doubting the girl, at least on the matter of why she is being chased. The fact that she couldn't remember her own name seemed plausible. Either way, it became clear to the Savage mage that this wasn't the way for him getting the answers he was looking for. The girl was afraid, hungry and scared out of her mind. Chased by an unknown group villagers. He needed to win her trust. 'But let's move that topic aside for now' continued the man 'why don't you take a seat by the fire and have something to eat. We do have some bread and knowing my men, some ale or wine to spare.'

His men were glaring for a bit, sharing their precious booze was not something they did easily. Especially when it was a complete stranger. Yet despite the fact they didn't like to share, one of them did bring her a lump of bread and a tankard filled with a crimson red substance. 'Oh and don't worry about the ones chasing you, for now. They are still far away from reaching us and if they do.... my men will deal with them'

At that very moment, the few Savages that were with Dahau grinned evilly and some even touched the shafts of their swords. The very idea they could go all out, kill and loot some simple peasants filled their heads with glee.

She didn’t know what to say about the last thing, Dahau said. She could hear in his voice that he didn’t believe her and wanted to know the truth. She looked away from Dahau as if she could avoid more questioning though it. It was a relieve to hear what Dahau said next.
“Thank you,” Said she, her soft voice started to make way for a harder one. She grew a bit more confident. She went on two knees near the fire, just outside the reach of the glowing sparks. She gladly accepted the bread and the tankard. Wine, she smelled before she saw. It was an old scent, almost forgotten by her. She lightened up a bit and brought the tankard her mouth to take a sip. But when the fluid entered, her face agonized. The wine tasted disgusting, there where no words to describe the taste. She quickly changed her expression to that of before, not wanting to show disrespect. She took a bite of the bread and it was the same, disgusting taste. She couldn’t place it. She shivered a bit, but she was the determent to still her hunger. She took another bite of her but Dahau continued, so she paused.
What he said haunted her for a moment, they were still searching for her. But it was reassuring that they would help her, they were properly armed. They had given her food and drink, they won’t hurt me. Trying to find a reason not to eat she asked Dahau, “Why are you helping me?” She said, in a hard but hoarse voice. She had grown in confidence, even though she was still a bit tense about the situation she was in.

''Well, to be honest, it is my job to tend to poor unfortunate souls. Just as yourself. To be more accurate, by order of my Guild Master I set out into the world to recruit, collect and find those willing to join a new home''

Technically Dahau wasn't lying, maybe twisting the truth a little but if you really looked at it from this perspective. There was some truth in it. Those that joined the darkest of guilds Savage Skull did find a new home. A place to belong, where they could be themselves. However, it was a place for the wicked, those corrupted by the vile things that hid in the shadows of this world.
These kind of sales pitches were just the very thing that those in need would love to hear. It was a place to belong, that in this world they weren't truly alone. And if they took the bait than it was already too late, the corruption had started.

The girl could hide her disgust of the food she just ate, but it didn't escape Dahau's eye. The moment she took a big sip from the tankard to indulge herself with the red liquid called wine, it became more than clear there was something wrong. Her face turned, it was filled with disgust as if she ate something rotten. Which was impossible, sure this food may be a tad dry and the wine a bit stale. But it was far from indigestible.

They sat there for a moment in silence, her staring into the campfire. And Dahau sitting on the other side. Watching her through the flames. His men hang around the camp, polishing their swords or sharing war stories, which was mostly bragging about deeds. Yet at some point, they fell silent and their hands moved to their swords, firmly grabbing the hilt. Something was amiss. Dahau, who was calmed as ever had already noticed, some of the villagers had already taken notice of their presence and were now surrounding them. Not just because of the girl, but they must have noticed the dark emblem of the skull on their armor. ''Girl, you'd better stay close to the fire now, it's going to get ugly really fast.''

A home, she thought. Hearing that word gave her some hope, would they take me in? She was thinking about how to reply when she realised they were encircled. Dahau told her to stay by the fire before she could even react to it. She looked around scared, the group of pursuers were larger as there were men in Dahau’s company. She decided to close her eyes and covered her ears, sitting near the fire as little boll
She could vaguely hear the warriors clash with the peasants. She pressed her hands tighter around her ears but there was something she couldn’t protect. Her noise, she smelled something. Something that smelled so good, soon the smell was all around her. She removed her hands from her ears and she stood up, she heard the fighting, but the sound faded away. She looked around, she saw the backs of the warriors in the light. The shadows of the gruesome play were projected on the back of the rock wall. The smell was so strong, it pulled her. She stepped forward and a moment she flung herself forward into the fray. The only thought that ran through her head was Food. She jumped on a peasant, ripping its throat out. She sucked the blood that sprouted out of the artery. Moments later she ran into someone else and dug her fangs into him.
A while later there was a point of realisation. She looked at her hands, they were covered in blood as well as her clothing. She had feasted on the blood and flesh and it tasted good. But, this is wrong. She ran away, crying and angry at herself. She was confused, the blood had tasted so good, but people are mad at her because she does. She hid in the mineshaft. She dropped down on the ground, leaning against the wall. Scared, angry and confused.

As the villagers furiously descended upon the campsite, it became clear they weren't such a huge threat to deal with. The Savages were armed to the teeth and some of them even possessed magic, while the peasants were armed with nothing but clubs, pitchforks and other basic tools. They didn't even stand a chance. The moment the first villager stormed at them while screaming, he got cut right down. The poor man probably didn't have any training at all and for a Savage who pillaged and trained on a regular basis, it was easy to deflect such a crude attack and slice open the farmer's chest with his sword.

If the soldiers weren't enough then there was still Dahau. Who at first glance seemed to do nothing, yet anyone that got too close to him suddenly grabbed their chest, fell to their knees and gasped for air for a moment until they fell forwards with their face flat onto the ground.
But despite the bloodshed and gruesome deaths it still didn't compare to the moment when the strange girl stood up. Her eyes vague and faint, as if she wasn't really there. But that was only a fleeting second before her eyes sparked devilish red and dashed towards one of the villagers. Her movement was inhuman, barely able to be caught with the human eye. And before anyone realized what just happened the girl had ripped out someone's throat and was indulging herself with an entirely different liquid than the red wine from before.
However the moment passed as quickly as it came, and as the girl regained her senses she understood the horrible thing she just did and ran away. But Dahau just couldn't help but smile.

He finally knew what she was. The strange girl was a creature of the night. A bloodsucking parasite that feasts upon the innocent, she was a vampire. It also explained why she couldn't be sensed earlier, right now she seemed to be in transition. A turbulent period between being human and something unholy, undead even. How could you sense someone who lingered in a state of in-between. Hell, her powers still hadn't manifested themselves, she needed to feed first.
Quickly Dahau gave chase, trailing the girl by the footprints she left behind. His men who were capable enough to fend off any other invader. The didn't need him for that, and if they died, so be it. After all the girl was far more valuable than any of those goons.
The trail led him to what appeared to be an abandoned mineshaft of some sort and standing in front of it two more villagers armed with crude clubs and torches. ''perfect'' said Dahau suddenly, which jump scared the two. Upon seeing the stranger, one of the two men would lift his club ready to hit Dahau. But before he could do anything he was already lifted up from the ground by an unknown force, his neck snapped and smashed entirely into the rock formations surrounding the mine. The other didn't get much room to do anything either, while he stared at his comrade being killed off easily Dahau would grab him by his collar and smash his head against one of the wooden pillar supporting the mine's entrance, knocking him out and be able to be dragged like a straw doll.

As he continued the trail into the mine while dragging the innocent soul behind him he would eventually reach the girl from before. Crying and shivering against the cold stone wall, staring into nothingness form between her hands that partially covered her face. Unable to cope with the atrocity she committed earlier. ''Girl'' said Dahau while throwing the unconscious sack of flesh in front of her ''stop cowering like that. It's time to eat''

She heard something fall in front of her. It was the body of a peasant, she looked up at the person behind. Dahau stood there and she looked at him confused. “Keep it away, that is wrong!” She shouted out. Why does he do this, she thought.
 
 She glanced at Dahau and then back to the motionless body in front of her. “Is it truthy all right?” She asked, still with a bit of doubt. It was tempting, so reached out with her hand but she we drew it immediate. She shook her head and looked away, further down the mineshaft. Then it hit her, he accepts me for who I’m, for what I’m. She slowly grabbed an arm of the man, as if she still hesitated. She brought it to her mouth and took a bite. The blood tasted so good, the iron taste danced on her tongue. She couldn’t describe why it tasted so good, but it didn’t matter. Something fell off her while she was feeding, but she heeded it no mind. The only thing that had her attention was the blood and the flesh. Tears flow over her cheeks, not of sadness or anger but of relief and happiness. There are people that can accept her, there is a place she could call home.

''Listen to me girl'' stated Dahau with authority. ''You can't continue denying what you are. That lust, that unquenchable thirst you feel. That is part of who you are. The moment you accept yourself, the moment you own the hunger then you will become whole and achieve new unimaginable heights''

His words seemed to have an effect, little by little she moved closer to the body. Glancing back and forth between Dahau and her salvation in the meantime. ''Go on'' replied the Savage ''It's just food. Similar to cattle. Nothing more''
Another moment of doubt followed as she reached out her fingers would momentarily touch the man's skin. She quickly withdrew, but it was too late. She had fed before, it was but a fleeting moment but she knew the taste. It was impossible for to deny her own cravings, especially with a meatbag so close to her.
First gently, she sank her teeth into the man's arm and started drinking the red essence that kept him alive. But it didn't last long before she pulled back the man's head and bit into the mas throat, drinking straight from the aorta while it pumped the red liquid of life, straight into her. She had accepted who she was.

In the meantime, a strange ornament had fallen off her. Dahau hadn't seen it before, it was probably hidden away by a cloak while it hung loosely on her belt. As he reached for it he quickly noticed it was some sort of flash with strange but exotic decorations and a name which sounded just as strange as the decorations looked like. Maybe it was hers? Maybe that was her name.
When the girl was finished with indulging herself, she looked up to Dahau again. At that moment Dahau reached out for. His hand extended towards her while holding the strange flask. ''So, are you ready to come home... Semiramis''

"Semiramis," She tasted the words, "is that truly my name?" Dahau nodded that it was so. Semiramis, she thought. Dahau gestured to follow him. She walked after him through the mineshaft, looking at his cloak which showed a strangely shaped skull on it. She did not know that, that sigil, the guild mark of Savage Skull was and that it would mean a great deal to her in the future.
They walked out the shaft, the corpse's where every, almost all of them where of peasants and only a few of slain warriors. Blood and guts littered the ground and crow's descended to feast upon the slain. Just like I had to do. The sun was starting to rise to the heavens above when they started to travel away from the small battlefield.