Capítulo 80: Chapter 79: Train Ride To Sicily
2 hours later,
"Ugh, alright I'm ready for the grueling sword training-"
"Young Ricky, we will not hold training today." Alexander informed, pointing to one of Barko's cards only to be aggravated to know it wasn't the three of hearts.
"Indeed, we have decided to let you wholly focus on your magical training for a while." Percival agreed, hovering back and watching the interesting game of Go Fish.
Ricky stared at the card game, a bit taken aback as after three months of relentless training, the routine had been ingrained into him, leaving little room for anything else.
"Alright." Ricky shrugged, cracking his neck with a hint of relief as he needed the break.
Ricky then calmly walked back into the house, returning moments later with a glass of wine in hand.
"Hey, old man, how close is Sicily from here?" Ricky asked suddenly, realizing they were actually in Italy and not trapped in the endless cycle of training that brought nothing but pain and stress.
'Might as well learn about my ancestry,' Ricky thought, sipping his wine as Abraham furrowed his brows.
"A day's train ride. Why?" Abraham asked, a sense of unease creeping in as he watched Ricky down the glass.
"Ah~" Ricky let out a relieved sigh, wiping his mouth before tossing the bottle to the side.
"Well, since we've got a month until we know if we can even cross the border, I'm thinking about taking a little trip. Kick my feet up, let loose for a bit," Ricky revealed, walking over to grab the ebony blade.
It surprised even him but in the last three months, he hadn't gotten drunk, not even once.
The closest he'd come was a light buzz, which felt like an achievement in itself and with all the stress he'd accumulated during that time, he figured a trip might be exactly what he needed to shake it off.
"Who's in?" Ricky asked, glancing around as Abraham stood up.
"Kid, Eliphas could change his mind and-"
'Lie.' Ricky scoffed, cutting him off and without warning, he hurled his glass at Abraham, who ducked out of the way just in time.
"How did you even know I lied?!" Abraham exclaimed incredulously, his small deception unraveled in an instant.
"Now that I think about it, you always seem to see through my lies-" Abraham added, staring at Ricky in bewilderment.
"Oh, come on, old man, we're in f*cking Italy, and all you want to do is be cooped up in this tiny villa?" Ricky spread his arms wide, flashing a smile, only to be met with uninterested faces.
"I've already seen enough of this sh*tty country, staying here is the best-" Abraham began to rant, but Ricky had already tuned him out, turning to the side.
"What about you, Chores? Barko?" Ricky asked, ignoring Abraham entirely as he looked at the other two.
"I wish to stay here since this 'magic' interests me deeply, especially after being a man of science for so long." Barko said, adjusting his goggles with a paw, his gaze briefly flicking to Abraham, who didn't even acknowledge him.
Throughout his time with Ricky, Barko often felt worse than useless as his mind, though brilliant, had been honed for research and little else, leaving him without a sense of purpose in the heat of Ricky's world.
Deep down, he longed not only to be taken seriously by Ricky but by everyone around him. Instead, he felt like a walking punchline, comedic relief that wasn't even entertaining.
He often saw himself as a throwaway character in a poorly written story, one with no real impact.
But now, with the introduction of magic, Barko sensed an opportunity as this mystical element, with its endless possibilities, could be his chance to rise beyond the limits of his body and mind, to finally become something more than a mere talking dog.
Side-eyeing Abraham, Chores knew it wasn't wise to leave Barko alone with him. Still, he could easily deduce that Abraham wouldn't leave without Ricky.
Despite the older man's gruff exterior and his constant front of independence, Chores had long seen through it.
Ricky was critical to every one of Abraham's plans, whether he admitted it or not and although he made it clear to Ricky, he still couldn't trust Abraham with anything he said.
Abraham's reliance on Ricky wasn't just for immediate gain, Chores suspected and it went deeper than that, something more calculated.
Abraham was a man who understood how to leverage his resources, often portrayed as a drunken idiot, but everything he did felt meticulously planned, and Ricky was no exception to this pattern.
Chores sensed that Abraham needed Ricky for something deeper, something beyond mere companionship or assistance, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was and it was with the uncertainty gnawed at him, making him wary of their situation.
Ricky could sense this on some level as Abraham's obsession with the so-called weapon plus, along with his mind always locked into what was happening in Germany related to vampires, made Ricky think Abraham was hiding something.
Yet, with all his training, Ricky's focus was primarily on self-improvement rather than constantly probing the motives of those around him.
'What is he up to?' Chores thought since unlike Ricky he couldn't let it go, aware that Abraham needed Ricky for one more thing, but he couldn't quite pin it down.
"I'll go." Chores surprised himself; his conservative and quiet nature made this announcement all the more shocking.
Everyone knew that Ricky's 'trip' was essentially an excuse to let loose, so it genuinely surprised everyone that Chores actually wanted to join.
Ricky's eyes widened in surprise; Chores never joined him on excursions that weren't related to business.
"Hell yeah!" Ricky yelled, slapping Chores on the back and handing him his flask.
"It's about damn time we partied together!" Ricky laughed, a surge of excitement bubbling within him as he envisioned the chaos they would unleash in Sicily.
Grabbing the frustrated Alexander, Ricky led Chores away from the rest while pumping his fist.
"Henry, let's-" Ricky began, glancing to the side only to find an uninterested Henry floating in his birdbath, eyes closed, completely oblivious to his summoner and basking in the sun.
"Young Ricky, what of the vampires lurking around?" Alexander inquired, concern evident in his voice.
"Well, Abraham said that Dracula is up to something, which is why he didn't come to the Vatican back then." Ricky gestured toward Abraham, fully aware that he wouldn't leave if someone of Dracula's caliber was actively hunting him.
"And besides, the only vampires that have come after me so far are low-level. As long as I flaunt this aura and use this sword, I can handle them." Ricky reassured him, easing Alexander's worries as the famed general settled onto his shoulder.
"Do you suppose any trouble shall arise?" Percival asked, taking Ricky's words at face value as he gazed to the side, curious about Abraham's perspective on the matter.
"No, like the kid said, Dracula won't move himself, not yet." Abraham reached for his flask, only to realize that the same one Ricky had handed to Chores was, in fact, his own.
*Sigh*
"Is this basis of magic instinctually-" Barko began to ask, but Abraham interrupted by pulling out his backup flask.
"If Dracula were after the kid, he wouldn't send a night raid; he would've come himself," Abraham said, squinting as he considered the implications. He knew there was a reason Dracula was staying in Transylvania.
"He's up to something, and sooner or later, I'll sniff it out."
Later at dusk,
In Dracula's spiraling gothic castle, the main vampire himself was pulling tubes from his body while casting a glance at one of his servants.
"Master, congratulations on another successful extraction," Baron Blood said, kneeling on one knee and bowing to his formidable master, who was connected to several experimental machines.
Tubes pumped strange liquids into Dracula's body, illuminating the dark chamber with an eerie glow.
"What is it?" Dracula asked, annoyance lacing his voice as he bristled at the thought of others seeing his slightly warped, exposed figure.
Baron Blood didn't dare to look up but smiled at the sight of the grieving ghouls before lowering his head once more.
"The Black Knight has made a move, he is headed onto a train towards Sicily." Baron Blood revealed, Dracula clutching his fist but shaking his head.
"My body is too volatile at the moment for a meeting with the one who possesses the ebony blade even in his fledgling form, especially with Percival by his side." Dracula glanced at the German Nazi scientist, who nodded nervously in agreement, his face pale.
"I need more time for everything to adjust, but it shouldn't be long," Dracula said, glancing at his hand as he watched as it morphed into a claw before reverting back to its original form.
"Then perhaps I could assist my master by confronting this vile blood bag?" Baron Blood suggested though his words only made Dracula frown as he walked through the castle, and Baron Blood fell into step behind him.
"Has Weapon Plus become so stable in its research that it allows you to frolic about?" Dracula asked, casting a sidelong glance at Baron Blood, who quickly ducked his head in response.
"No my master, the vampires and humans have all died but-"
"Do you think I haven't been observing that little fledgling enough to know that Abraham is hovering over him? The second you or any of our vampires try to move in, he'll intervene," Dracula revealed, speaking highly of Abraham as he waved his hand dismissively.
"From our observations, the Black Knight and his followers have boarded the train without being escorted by Abraham or anyone else for that matter." Baron Blood's words caused his master to halt all movements.
"Hahahahahahahahaha!" Dracula erupted in laughter, turning around with a fierce grin.
"Where is Abraham as of now?" Dracula eyes gleamed with delight at this news, and he pressed further, eager for more information.
"Abrella-"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Dracula cackled, clutching his face as he recalled that horrid creature.
"So that is why you're roaming about in Italy," Dracula said in a somber tone, his eyes glinting with mockery as he stared ahead, already formulating a plan.
"I'll grant you permission to seek the Black Knight's head." Dracula declared, waving his hand. A sinister red aura pulsed around his elongated fingernails as he conjured a bat from the shadows.
"And I'll send a little message to that horrid creature, Eliphas."
After leaving the small villa in Abrella, Ricky strolled with Chores in hand toward the train station and instead of paying, he simply flashed his cross.
The cross had many features, but for those within its faith, it functioned almost like a credit card. While it wasn't recognized in America, in Italy, the country that housed the Vatican, its power was immeasurable.
With a flick of his wrist, Ricky secured tickets, snacks, and booze, receiving everything he desired with just a flash of the cross.
"This is how life should be, Chores~" Ricky sighed, feeling the buzz from the constant flow of alcohol while savoring the martini in his hand.
They were three hours into their train ride, nestled in a private carriage far from the common folk.
The luxury didn't stop at the secluded rooms; they also had a personal bar with a dedicated bartender, ensuring their every whim was catered to.
"Giovanni, another!" Ricky called out, raising his martini, while Chores sighed, accidentally spilling some of his drink onto his coat, which he wore over his armor.
"Man, this-ow, stop!" Ricky exclaimed, covering his face as his sentient trench coat slapped him with the waistband, clearly annoyed at having alcohol spilled on it without so much as an apology.
"F*cking hell, I'M SORRY!" Ricky tried to get a word in until he had to yell it, and only then did the trench coat acquiesce, dropping the waistband back down in resignation.
"Of course, sir." Giovanni replied, moving over to take the martini from Ricky's hand before heading off to prepare another.
"What about you, you've barely touched your drink?" Ricky remarked, gesturing toward the glass, Chores had been nursing for the past three hours.
"I'm not a drinking enthusiast like you," Chores sighed, rolling his eyes at the now familiar question as this was the eighth time Ricky had commented on his solitary drink.
"Ah, I get it," Ricky said with a knowing nod. Chores raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution that urged him to dig deeper.
"You do?" Chores replied, thinking he finally grasped that Ricky was simply acknowledging his reluctance to drink.
"Of course, you're saving all your attention for the woman!" Ricky laughed, prompting a heavy sigh from Chores, who raised his brow in response.
"Wait, what woman-"
*Ring*
The cabin bell rang, and Chores turned to see two elegantly dressed women enter, prompting him to scrunch his brows in confusion.
"Dibs on the brunette." Ricky whispered towards Chores, jumping to his feet and striding confidently toward the woman he had ordered through Giovanni.
*Sigh*
Chores sighed, watching Ricky swagger over to the high-priced escorts ordered through Giovanni's discretion.
Meanwhile, Alexander hopped off Chores's shoulder and settled onto his lap, offering a small semblance of comfort amidst the chaos.
"Hey good looking, what's cooking-"
*SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS*
"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" The prostitute suddenly wailed, her voice twisting into a howling hiss and Ricky flinched, his gaze darting down to his hand.
Knowing that his aura was still activated and effective only against unholy beings, Ricky watched the supposed prostitute sizzle in pain, and amidst the clutter of his buzz, a startling realization struck him.
"CHORES!" Ricky shouted, reaching for his waist as Chores swiftly grabbed the brass knuckles that enlarged into his fist.
"GOT IT!" Chores replied, charging forward as he snatched a chair from the side and hurled it at the unharmed prostitute.
*BAM*
The prostitutes tore away their human disguises, revealing their ghoulish forms beneath as Ricky's expression twisted into one of disgust as he realized the truth behind their façade.
'MURDER, BATHE IN THEIR BLOOD-' The ebony blade gargling voice rang in his head.
"Ugh, I got a half chub for nothing." Ricky lamented, swinging his sword in a wide arc as the ghouls recoiled in horror, their grotesque features illuminated by the dim light of the cabin.
"FOOLS, THE LORD OF BLOOD WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD-"
"Fireball." Ricky promptly interrupted the ghoul, not bothering to wait for their transformation to complete.
Thrusting his hand forward, sending a blazing fireball hurtling toward the ghouls, the heat radiating off it as it tore through the air.
"SCREEEEEEEEE!" The ghoul shrieked, the fireball slamming into its face.
The impact sent waves of agony through its body, the residual effects of Ricky's holy aura melting its decayed flesh.
Despite the excruciating pain, it didn't die, writhing in torment as its ghastly form struggled to remain intact.
"YOU DARE-" The other ghoul snarled, its eyes blazing with fury as it glared at Ricky.
It was desperate to retaliate, longing to pounce on the one responsible for inflicting such a brutal wound on its companion.
*BAM*
Chores' fist plunged into the ghoul's face with brutal force, intending to crush its skull and instead, his fist sank deep into its decaying flesh.
*SPLAT*
The ghoul's head erupted like a balloon, showering the back walls of the train carriage with rotten flesh and shards of bone, leaving a gruesome display in its wake as its lifeless body collapsed to the floor.
Without missing a beat, Ricky lunged forward, bringing the ebony blade down in a swift, decisive motion, cleaving the remaining ghoul in half with ease.
"You slouched your posture, young Ricky," Alexander remarked, hopping off Chores and settling onto Ricky's shoulder.
"Why can't you ever say 'Good work' or 'Nice job'-" Ricky asked, swinging the blade to the side and sending a spray of flesh flying off its edge.
"Am I training a sissy? A fairy?" Alexander teased, shaking his little gerbil head in disapproval. Ricky scoffed, turning away from the gory scene to head back to the bar.
Giovanni, trembling in sheer fright, peeked half his head over the counter, still reeling from the gruesome spectacle he had just witnessed.
"I-I didn't know-"
"Martini, make it," Ricky commanded, pointing his blade at Giovanni.
The bartender straightened his back instinctively, hurrying to fulfill the order as he began to prepare another martini, his hands shaking slightly from the adrenaline still coursing through him.
"It appears that we have company." Chores assessed the situation, gazing back at Ricky leaning on the bar while awaiting his drink.
"Don't tell me Dracula actually crawled out of his little sewer to fight me?" Ricky wondered aloud, his brow furrowing in disbelief as Chores shook his head, scanning the dimly lit train carriage for any signs of danger.
"No, Abraham said that Dracula has some unknown reasons for-"
Time seemed to halt as Ricky's pupils dilated, the world around him fading into silence.
His danger sense blared like a siren, deafening everything else as he locked eyes with Chores, instinctively constructing an invincible barrier, slamming it down on Chores' side just as he leaped over it himself.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
A deafening explosion erupted, sending debris flying in all directions as the shockwave hurled both Chores and Ricky against the wall, their bodies colliding with a painful thud as chaos enveloped the cabin.
*RIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGG*
Ricky's ears rang, and as he slowly blinked his eyes open, he found Alexander tapping his face, the little creature's worried expression coming into focus amid the swirling chaos.
His trench coat, now marred with rips and tears, wailed in distress, the waist belt flapping like a mournful banner as it conveyed its discontent as if it was almost as if the coat were crying out for attention.
"Ugh~" Ricky groaned, pressing a hand to his throbbing head as he turned to see Chores struggling to push debris off himself.
The gentle giant's body was battered and bruised, a fresh stream of blood trickling down from a gash on his forehead.
He glanced to the side, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the massive hole not just in his car, but also realizing that it stretched through the entire train.
The devastation was staggering, with chaos spilling into the adjacent compartments as debris littered the ground.
Mangled bodies were strewn about, and the few survivors either lay barely alive or screamed in sheer terror, their voices echoing through the wreckage.
"YOUNG RICKY, ARM YOUR MIND AND RAISE YOUR SWORD!" Alexander screeched, scurrying into a crevice within Ricky's armor to hide.
*Clink*
*Clink*
*Clink*
The sound of two hollow objects clinking together suddenly pierced the air amidst the screams, drawing Ricky's gaze forward to the gruesome sight.
"Oh Black Knight~" A hum reverberated through the cabin, Ricky sharpening his senses and getting into his stance while seeing the being on the other side of the train.
His eyes narrowed at the sight on the other side of the train, where a figure clinked together two decapitated heads, bits of flesh still clinging to the skulls.
"Chores, we got to leave-"
"Arck, Slick I-I-my leg, it's broken." Chores stammered in pain, glancing down to see his leg bent at an unnatural angle.
"F*ck!" Ricky cursed under his breath as he assessed the dire situation.
With the train car blown to bits, Ricky scanned the scene, finding himself surrounded by the confines of a tunnel.
Chores's injury left him more of a burden than an ally, weighing heavily on Ricky's mind and then, a spark of inspiration struck him as he held out his hand, focusing intently.
'Ethereal Sanctuary!' Ricky yelled in his mind as a protective dome enveloped Chores, bathing him in a shimmering green light.
0:59:59
A timer hovered above the dome, counting down ominously as Ricky turned his head back to the figure strolling through the wreckage.
The figure casually lifted an injured passenger, the victim's feeble attempts to resist barely registering.
With a sinister calmness, the figure drained the life force from the helpless soul, blood trickling down its chin, a grotesque reminder of the horror unfolding around them.
"Young Ricky, this foe is more formidable than Xarus, brace yourself." Alexander assessed the situation, his sharpened mind quickly deducing the threat as Ricky sheathed his sword and equipped himself with a bow, gauntlets, and shin guards.
Each piece of armor clinked into place amidst his black knight attire, providing him with a sense of security amid the chaos.
He knocked an arrow, readying himself for whatever horror approached, determination flashing in his eyes as he prepared to confront the sinister figure.
Quickie Armor and Weapon Overview:
(Legendary Weapon) Luminary Sunfire Bow
(Legendary Armor) Gauntlets of the Damned
(Legendary Armor) Constantine Trench Coat
(Epic Armor) Lightbringer Shinguards
"Oh, I will. This damned bastard ruined my steamy night." Ricky's priorities were clear as he drew back the bowstring, an arrow forged from the Solar Flame bow beginning to take shape in his grip.
"Ah, there you are!" The figure laughed, pretending not to have noticed him before tossing the drained female aside and giving a slight bow.
"I am Baron Blood, esteemed servant of my master-"
*WHOOSH*
Baron Blood tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes as the arrow whizzed by him, thudding into the wall behind with a resonating thump.
*Boom*
A fiery explosion erupted, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. Yet Baron Blood remained unfazed, merely squinting his eyes against the chaos.
*Ssssssss*
The Luminary Sunfire Bow, a weapon that infused the power of the sun into its arrows, only grazed Baron Blood's cheek, yet the wound displayed its potency as instead of healing, his flesh sizzled, the scorched skin refusing to regenerate.
"That simply won't do~" Baron Blood hummed a sinister tune, snapping his fingers as the corpses around him convulsed.
A dark mist rose from their lifeless bodies, their blood drawn towards him in a grotesque display of power.
"Blood excursion." Baron Blood tested something, launching streams of blood-sharpened projectiles directly at Ricky as each one was tipped with lethal precision, aimed to strike him down.
Ricky didn't even flinch, his senses honed and alert and as the projectiles hurtled toward him, he focused, waiting for his danger sense to kick in.
With a squint of determination, he reinforced his psychic barrier, watching as each blood-sharpened projectile collided against it, shattering harmlessly.
'Full counter.'
A blinding flash of light erupted, and as it faded, Baron Blood found himself besieged by his own spell, amplified and redirected back at him.
He swiped the air in a desperate attempt to deflect the oncoming energy, his expression shifting from amusement to alarm.
"Corpse shield." Baron Blood commanded lightly, his voice resonating with authority.
The drained bodies around him began to swirl together, forming a grotesque mass of flesh that morphed into a protective barrier, rising in front of him like a grotesque wall of lifeless skin.
*BOOOM*
The two spells collided in a violent eruption, unleashing a shower of bloody, gruesome fragments that scattered throughout the cart.
However, as the horrid sight settled, Baron Blood remained unharmed, standing defiantly amidst the wreckage, a sinister smile curling on his lips.
"So my master's assessment was correct; you can reflect magic back, fascinating." Baron Blood let out in an amused manner, tapping his pale chin.
*Sigh*
Baron Blood twirled gracefully, the arrow narrowly missing him yet again, its tip skimming by without leaving a mark this time.
"Must you continue these futile attacks-"
*BOOM*
Baron Blood stared at Ricky with an unimpressed deadpan expression, clearly irritated by the interruption. Ricky frowned as he nocked another arrow, his gaze fixed intently on the bow.
"Why can't I hit him?" Ricky asked Alexander, frustration evident in his voice as he ignored Baron Blood as the gerbil scratched his furry chin thoughtfully.
"Try pulling the bowstring back further." Alexander advised calmly, his tone reasonable. Ricky nodded in affirmation, considering the suggestion.
Gritting his teeth, Ricky's muscles tensed as he pulled the bowstring back, channeling more sunlight into the arrow.
Baron Blood's instincts screamed at him, prompting him to rush forward, sensing the overwhelming power coalescing.
Ricky smirked, releasing the arrow; the air shimmering around the bow as it shot outward at terrifying speeds.
*WHOOSH*
Baron Blood tried to dodge to the side, but the narrow confines of the train hindered his movements as the arrow hurtled toward him with blinding speed, offering him little room to evade.
Despite his best efforts, he couldn't escape entirely; the arrow pierced through his side, leaving a scorched wound and a searing pain in its wake.
"YOU DARE!?" Baron Blood bellowed, glaring at the slight searing hole in his side that refused to heal.
"WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, TALK WITH THE GUY WHO ALMOST KILLED ME FIVE SECONDS AGO?" Ricky shot back, irritation bubbling over as he struggled to understand why the vampire expected him to engage in conversation after nearly slaughtering him and Chores just two minutes prior.
"NONSENSE, THAT ATTACK WOULDN'T HAVE KILLED THE BLACK KNIGHT-"
"AND NEITHER DID MINE, SO I GUESS WE'RE EVEN!" Ricky screeched, pointing a finger back at Baron Blood as the vampire opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a loss for words.
"Very well, I will acquiesce on this occasion if you'll listen to my proposal." Baron Blood gritted through clenched fangs, straightening up while eyeing Ricky, who frowned but kept his arrow drawn back.
"Fine, let's hear your obvious recruitment." Ricky replied, already anticipating the vampire's pitch as he continued to strain against the bowstring, feeling the tension building in his muscles.
Ricky had never struggled to draw the arrow to its usual position, but extending the flaring bowstring further required immense effort, causing his muscles to tremble with strain.
'I can't believe I didn't think of this before.' Ricky mused, realizing it was such an obvious approach that he had completely overlooked.
"Join Dracula, swear fealty to him, and proclaim him your master so we can finally build the KINGDOM OF MONSTERS THAT OUR MASTER DESIRES!" Baron Blood preached fanatically, his words eliciting a collective sigh from both Ricky and Alexander.
"So you want my master to be some random withered old man?" Ricky frowned at the thought, knowing he might have considered it if it were a busty vampiress with alluring curves instead.
"W-Withered o-old-" Baron Blood stuttered, taken aback that a mere human would dare describe Dracula in such a manner.
"Actually, quick question: are all vampires as weird-looking as you? Because I've yet to see a female vampire, let alone a good-looking one." Ricky asked, eyeing Baron Blood's odd clothing and particularly his unattractive features.
Baron Blood was left speechless by this manner of speech from the self-proclaimed Black Knight, a title typically reserved for the most honorable and chivalrous of knights.
"Teach, level with me,there have to be sexy vampires out there, right?" Ricky's voice held a hint of desperation, and to his surprise, Alexander nodded in agreement.
"Has to be," Alexander said without a hint of doubt, which eased Ricky's tension.
*Sigh*
"Oh, thank god." Ricky let out a sigh of relief, feeling a little better before gazing at the baffled Baron Blood.
"Anyways, back to the fight." Ricky released the arrow, and instead of flying straight, it erupted in a blast, tearing Baron Blood apart in an explosion of flames and debris.
"What the-"
*BAM*
Capítulo 81: Chapter 80: Unleashing The Ebony Blade
*BAM*
Ricky's head snapped to the side as a violent, jarring sound filled the air, the sheer force of it causing cracks to splinter across his psychic barrier.
The oppressive pressure of Baron Blood's relentless attack pressed in, the vampire lord trying to plunge into Ricky's mental defenses with ferocious intensity.
Before Ricky could process, Baron Blood's real plan unfolded as he had casted a blood double to serve as a distraction when Ricky sighed.
Then while Ricky turned back, the true Baron Blood had already slipped outside the train car, swooping in like a predator through the chaos.
Baron Blood's efforts were feral, like a rabid dog tearing at a cage, his elongated nails clawing and scraping at Ricky's psychic barrier.
Each strike sent splinters of mental force scattering as Ricky, undeterred, focused with intense resolve, pulling back the arrow on his Solar Flame Bow just as Baron Blood's razor-sharp nails punctured the barrier, tearing through with a menacing hiss.
*BOOOOOOM*
Suddenly, a burst of searing fire erupted around Ricky, the explosion sending him hurtling through the air.
His body twisted mid-flight, instinctively stowing away the Solas Flame Bow into his inventory.
With practiced precision, he unsheathed his sword, its gleaming blade reflecting the chaos around him.
As Ricky landed, his boots skidded against the floor, but he quickly regained his stance, sword raised and ready.
His eyes locked on Baron Blood, who charged forward with renewed intensity, each step resonating with lethal intent.
'I can't believe I missed such a close shot.' Ricky frowned, frustrated at how he'd missed such a close shot as the weight of the missed opportunity lingered as he tightened his grip on the sword, preparing for the oncoming clash.
*WHOOSH*
The only real damage Ricky had inflicted was the lingering fire, which had seared Baron Blood but only caused minimal harm.
It wasn't nearly enough to slow him down as Baron Blood raced forward, his figure a blur of speed and fury.
Ricky squinted, locking his eyes on the oncoming vampire, muscles coiling in preparation as his mind raced as he calculated Baron Blood's movements, knowing the slightest mistake would cost him.
Then, with a sudden shift in direction, Baron Blood lunged, not at Ricky, but at Chores.
"FOOL, I SHALL FEAST ON THE BLOOD OF YOUR COMRADE-"
*TINK*
"Wh-What?" Baron Blood stammered, recoiling as his claws collided with an invisible force.
He stumbled back, eyes widening in shock as he saw a shimmering sphere enveloping Chores.
Inside, Chores lay incapacitated from the pain, but to Baron Blood's disbelief, his leg was already mending back in place.
"A timer-" Baron Blood muttered under his breath, his gaze shifting upwards to the 48-minute timer hovering above Chores before his eyes shrank in realization as he spun around, but it was too late.
Ricky's eyes blazed with intensity as he swung his sword down with ferocious power.
Baron Blood's nails glowed crimson, attempting to block the strike; however, to his shock, the legendary blade cleaved through the hardened nails as if they were nothing but butter.
The sword continued its lethal descent, forcing Baron Blood to kick himself back, narrowly escaping the full force of the attack.
A thin line of blood appeared on his chest, and though Baron Blood was shocked beyond belief, he didn't let it show on his face.
Baron Blood's eyes narrowed at Ricky, reevaluating the young knight with a new sense of caution.
His confident demeanor shifted, the arrogance he once displayed replaced by a sharper, more calculated intensity.
"Do you think I'd just let another blood-sucking bastard kill one of my guys?" Ricky's green eyes gradually deepened into a crimson hue, the blade in his hand vibrating with a dark thrill, feeding off the malevolent energy radiating from its wielder.
The air around them seemed to thicken, the sword pulsing as if alive, eager to taste the blood of the enemy before it.
The sheer hatred and bloodlust, a boiling rage ignited by the haunting memory of Rocco's lifeless body, surged through Ricky's veins, overwhelming his senses.
Those emotions gnawed at his sanity, each flash of Rocco's face fueling his fury as he locked eyes with another vampire who threatened to replicate that horrific scene.
Ricky's eyes darkened to a deep crimson, the ebony blade pulsating with a sinister energy that amplified his fury.
He fixed his gaze on Baron Blood, the ferocity of his intent radiating like a storm about to unleash its wrath as each heartbeat echoed with a primal urge to annihilate.
"Oh?" Baron Blood taunted, closing the gap between them with a confident stride, but Ricky seized the moment.
*Clang*
Ricky swung down with all his might, but Baron Blood deftly smacked the blade aside, narrowly avoiding the deadly arc of the sword.
The force of the missed strike sent a shockwave through Ricky's arms, but he quickly regained his footing, readying for another attack.
"That's a timer above your little friend there, isn't it?" Baron Blood mused, a sinister smile spreading across his face as his fangs gleamed in delight as the holy aura radiated from Ricky, pulsing with power.
"I wonder what happens when that timer reaches zero." Baron Blood taunted, his voice dripping with mockery as Ricky's grip tightened around the hilt.
But then, to Baron Blood's shock, eldritch dark flames engulfed the ebony blade.
The horrid warmth radiating from it sent a thrill of anticipation through the bloodthirsty sword, merging its sinister energy with the holy light.
Baron Blood could only watch in awe as this unnatural fusion of powers defied all he thought he knew about life, death, and the supernatural.
"I'M GONNA RIP OUT YOUR SPINE!" Ricky roared, his eyes blazing crimson with fury, his monstrous aura exploding all around him as he lunged forward.
Alexander, sensing the brewing storm, wanted to say something to Ricky but hesitated, knowing all too well how foolish it was to stand in the line of sight of a berserker.
"Foolish blood bag, this will not-ARCK!" Baron Blood's laughter faltered as Ricky swiftly shifted from dual-grip to a single grip.
Ricky lunged forward, thrusting the Gauntlets of the Damned, his claws sinking deep into Baron Blood's undead flesh.
Baron Blood's eyes widened in shock as he felt his life force being siphoned away, the cold grip of Ricky's claws draining his very essence.
Panic washed over him as he glanced upward, only to see the sword in his other hand glowing ominously, poised to strike with devastating power.
"BLOOD SHIELD-"
"DIE!"
*BOOOOOOOM*
A deafening explosion rippled through the train car, obliterating everything in its wake.
What once stood intact was now reduced to a smoldering ruin, the shockwave tearing apart the very structure as debris scattered everywhere.
Only the floor remained intact, shaking violently as the train hurtled towards a bridge, skidding dangerously along the rails.
*HUFF*
*HUFF*
*HUFF*
Ricky stood amid the carnage, gripping his head as the remnants of the explosion settled around him.
His eyes burned a furious red, reflecting the chaos, while the sword screamed in his mind, urging him deeper into his berserker state.
The intoxicating call of power surged through him, blending rage and bloodlust into an overwhelming torrent that threatened to consume him.
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
'KILL!'
The sound was horrid and grotesque, a cacophony that clawed at Ricky's mind, dragging him deeper into the abyss of his sanity.
Each dissonant note shattered his mental fortitude, splintering what remained of his composure as the relentless noise twisted his thoughts into a frenzy of rage and despair.
"Y-You cannot be left to dwell." Baron Blood huffed, hovering to the side while clutching his chest.
The wounds he bore, a direct consequence of his arrogance and complacency, weighed heavily on his superiority complex.
For the first time, he grasped why his master had deemed Ricky a threat that needed to be eliminated.
Baron Blood understood that while Dracula desired Ricky's head, it might be more advantageous to bring him to their side.
Yet, he never imagined that his underestimation would leave him so severely wounded.
'Furthermore, I'm not healing,' Baron Blood realized, staring at the gash in his chest that remained charred and unhealed.
He watched as Ricky struggled with his own sanity, oblivious to his presence in the air.
Seizing the opportunity, Baron Blood raised his hands, channeling all of his magic into a single spell.
A red mist erupted around him, billowing into the night sky and enveloping it in a crimson haze.
The mist swirled and thickened, forming ominous red clouds that darkened the atmosphere above.
"YOUNG RICKY, YOU MUST REGAIN YOUR SENSES!" Alexander urged, his voice cutting through the chaos as he noticed the immense power swirling at Baron Blood's fingertips.
*HUFF*
*HUFF*
*HUFF*
However, Ricky was too preoccupied by his own thoughts, more specifically, the memories of the blade wielders that were being forcefully injected into his shattered sanity.
"P-Poppa?" A child peeked through a door, stepping into a haunting memory that had tormented Ricky's dreams for so long.
Instead of observing from the sidelines, Ricky was now trapped in the child's perspective, inching closer with each fated breath to the lifeless body of Percival.
Lying limp on the marble floor, surrounded by a pool of his own blood, Percival's lifeless body seemed to beckon the child closer.
The small figure fell to his knees, reaching out as if the mere act could alter the course of fate.
"W-Wake up, Poppa," Ricky choked out, the words laced with a painful desperation as he gripped tightly onto his clothes.
Each sniffle echoed in the silence, amplifying the agony coursing through him, a heart-wrenching plea that only deepened the chasm of despair.
"POPPPPPPPPPPPPA!"
*CRACKLE*
The air crackled violently as a roaring streak of crimson lightning tore through the darkness, illuminating the child's terrified face.
Ricky screamed at the top of his lungs, a raw, primal sound that reverberated against the walls, blending with the chaos surrounding him.
The world around him blurred with his own reality into a whirlwind of agony and despair, each flash of red igniting memories he desperately wished to escape.
*BOOM*
The stunning wall crumbled under the impact of a sudden projectile, sending debris scattering everywhere.
Ricky instinctively turned, his reflexes kicking in as he reached out into the chaos as his fingers closed around nothingness, and in the next heartbeat, the hilt of the ebony blade settled into his grasp.
A surge of anger coursed through him, igniting a flame deep within his core, the dark power of the blade resonating with his rage and despair.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The cries of the boy and Ricky melded into a chilling symphony of anguish, echoing through the air.
Ricky gripped the blade tightly, the weight of sorrow coursing through his veins, amplifying the depth of his scream.
The sound was raw, a manifestation of the immense sadness and rage that intertwined in his heart, reverberating with every beat as if the world itself mourned alongside him.
"YOUNG RICKY, SNAP OUT OF THE TRANCE! HEAVEN CANNOT BROOK TWO SUNS NOR EARTH TWO MASTERS!" Alexander roared, his voice cutting through the chaos as he sensed the dreadful spell taking shape above them.
The swirling red clouds began to rain down blood, a grotesque deluge that spiraled upwards, defying gravity as it was drawn into the vortex forming over Baron Blood.
However Ricky remained lost in his memories, the anguished cries still echoing in his mind as the scene unfolded.
Shadows of his past wrapped around him like chains, while the crimson mist thickened, casting an ominous glow on his face.
"YOU CANNOT LOSE YOURSELF TO THE SWORD; YOU ARE ITS WIELDER, AND YOU ARE THE ONE TO SWING ITS MIGHTY BLADE!" Alexander cried, his voice a beacon of urgency amid the chaos. He knew that true mastery lay not in submission to the weapon but in the strength to control it.
The whirlpool above Baron Blood roared with primal energy, its violent spirals distorting the air and commanding the elements around them.
The atmosphere thickened, crackling with malevolent power as lightning flashed in the distance, illuminating the scene in stark, surreal clarity.
Ricky's scream cut through the cacophony, a raw expression of agony as his mind became a battlefield, besieged by the tumultuous emotions of his ancestors and predecessors.
Each memory, each echo of pain and rage surged through him like a tidal wave, threatening to drown him in despair and yet, amidst the chaos, a flicker of clarity fought to surface.
His consciousness was abruptly transported to a dark, oppressive room, the air thick with a suffocating silence.
He stood atop a pool of black sludge, its viscous surface reflecting distorted shadows that twisted like tendrils around him.
The smell was acrid, and the ground seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy, urging him to lose himself in its depths.
Before him, a twisted reflection of himself stood, wearing a mocking grin that sent a chill down his spine.
Yet, it wasn't truly him.
"Ah, if it isn't my new wielder, Ricky Luciano~" The figure before him was a twisted mirror image of himself, warped by the influence of the Ebony Blade.
Dark, sinister energy radiated from the reflection, its presence suffocating the very air around them.
Black sludge oozed from its body, pooling into the dark abyss beneath them, thickening the oppressive atmosphere.
The headache pulsed around Ricky's mind, an insistent throb that threatened to drown him in darkness.
He pushed against the weight of despair, trying to step forward, but the sludge gripped him like a vice, cold and unyielding.
"Let me guess, you're the Ebony Blade," Ricky huffed out, a frown etched across his face as he fought against the mental tendrils wrapping around his mind as the presence of the sword slithered through his thoughts like a serpent.
"So it seems that you aren't that big of an idiot everyone preaches you to be~" The Ebony Blade hissed, its voice dripping with mocking amusement as it circled around Ricky like a predatory shadow.
"Why can't you be a good little sword and stop making things so f*cking difficult." Ricky's vision blurred as he struggled to regain his bearings, the oppressive darkness pressing in on him like a heavy shroud as the once-familiar room around him twisted and distorted.
"Did you think that I'd let you wield me without a proper approval-"
"But the Vatican-"
"ARE FOOLS!" The Ebony Blade screamed, the room shaking from his frustration.
Ricky's knees hit the cold, slimy surface, and a wave of exhaustion washed over him, but despite the fatigue, he couldn't suppress the smile that crept onto his face.
The sight of the Ebony Blade's annoyance at his mere existence, when it was in itself a twisted reflection of his own torment, provided a sliver of satisfaction in this dark realm.
"Well, it depends~" The Ebony Blade replied, its expression twisting into a mocking smile.
"Have you ever wondered why I allow Percival's descendants to wield me?" The Ebony Blade asked, its tone dripping with intrigue as Ricky rolled his eyes in response.
"I don't know, do you have some sort of crush on him?" Ricky sighed, his patience wearing thin, but the blade laughed in response.
"You could say that. However, it's more than just admiration; there's something about your bloodline that enables your family to chain me to your line." The Ebony Blade circled around Ricky, its presence both unnerving and compelling.
"Percival, that fool, somehow ingrained his ability to wield me within his blood, which was then passed down to his son, and subsequently to his descendants." The Ebony Blade continued, halting a short distance away from him.
Its tone was a mix of amusement and disdain, as if recalling the legacy of the family was both a point of pride and annoyance.
"It started with good intentions, using the idea of enduring my thirst to wield me for the goodness of the world." The Ebony Blade's smile twisted further, its hissing voice growing more sinister as Ricky realized where this was headed.
"Let me guess: they all failed?" Ricky's face was almost ghostly, huffing out shallow breaths yet the skepticism was still etched onto his face as the blade nodded in affirmation.
"Their original intentions of chivalry, the dream of making a difference in this rancid world, were consumed by my thirst, all while they deceived themselves into thinking they had not changed." The Ebony Blade loomed before Ricky, their eyes locking in a shared reflection of darkness.
"Now, for you, Ricky Luciano, what are your intentions of chivalry that compel you to wield my being-"
"I don't have any." Ricky's voice was flat, the truth of his selfish desires laid bare.
"You cannot be serious?" The Ebony Blade asked, laughter echoing in its tone, as if it couldn't believe what it had just heard.
"I don't care about living my life as a good person or doing the right thing at every turn." Ricky declared out weakly, unflinching in his honesty with the blade he sought to wield.
"I live my life for me, my goals, my desires, and I couldn't care less if others label me as selfish, as long as they don't try to disrupt my way of life." Ricky patted his chest, irritation bubbling beneath the surface at the blade's grip on him, as if it were forcing him to justify his very existence.
"If I happen to do the right thing out of my own selfishness, then fine, whatever. But I'm not going to stand here and be lectured by some f*cking sword that has a hard-on for my family's chivalry," Ricky shot back, jabbing a finger at the Ebony Blade's chest as he had far bigger things occupying his mind than seeking approval from a sentient weapon.
"You want to know what my intentions are? Well, they're whatever the f*ck I want them to be. There's no such thing as good or bad, just decisions that get judged by others!" Ricky ranted, diving deeper into his truth as the sword simply smiled at him, unfazed.
"NOW ARE YOU JUST GOING TO SIT THERE AND JUDGE ME, OR ARE WE GOING TO SLASH A VAMPIRE?" Ricky yelled, summoning the last of his strength, a surge of anxiety gripping him as he feared it might already be too late.
The blade merely smiled at the use of 'we,' an unsettling glint dancing in its dark essence.
"We shall."
*GASP*
" YOUNG RICKY!" Alexander tugged at his cheek, the red of Ricky's eyes fading into green as he looked up, swallowing hard.
"ARGH!" Ricky's eyes flared with crackling red energy, the same energy that threatened to tear him apart.
Alexander exhaled, a breath of relief escaping him as they both stared at the chaos wrought by Baron Blood.
Ricky's gaze finally lifted to the cataclysmic storm of blood engulfing the skies, a terrifying spectacle that seemed to blot out the heavens themselves.
Razor-sharp droplets spiraled within the fingertips of Baron Blood, slicing through anything they touched as they coalesced into a towering whirlpool unlike anything Ricky had ever witnessed.
What appeared to be a massive blob of blood was alive with waves of glimmering droplets, each poised to wreak havoc.
Baron Blood smirked, fully aware that Ricky could reflect his attacks, but how long could he maintain that defense?
Furthermore, could he even reflect what he could not perceive?
If Baron Blood's droplets moved fast enough, could Ricky still manage to redirect them?
The vampire intended to test that limit, preparing a massive spell capable of both defense and offense, aiming to gradually whittle down Ricky's strength before delivering the final blow.
As Ricky stared at the towering display of strength, a maddening fury swirled within him, threatening to consume his very essence once more.
The intoxicating allure of that overwhelming power beckoned, whispering promises of domination and retribution.
Ricky knew that if he allowed himself to lose control, everything could be his for the taking as his eyes began to hollow.
"Young Ricky." Alexander's steady and calm voice resounded amidst the rippling energies threatening to collide.
The sound cut through the chaos like a beacon, grounding Ricky in the tempest of his emotions.
"Remember that there is nothing impossible to him who tries. This power is but a tool; it does not define you." Alexander remained silent after these words, recognizing that this was a path Ricky needed to walk alone.
"YOU FOOL! DO YOU THINK I HAVEN'T NOTICED THAT YOU CAN ONLY REFLECT WHAT YOU CAN PERCEIVE?" Baron Blood bellowed, spreading his arms wide. The swirling whirlpool above began to thin out, transforming the already small droplets into microscopic shards that glimmered ominously in the dim light.
Eldritch flames erupted from the gauntlets encasing Ricky's hands, a holy aura wrapping around them as his eyes glowed a fierce red, yet the clarity in his pupils betrayed the berserk state.
Baron Blood's laughter echoed, a cruel melody mocking Ricky's desperate efforts.
However in this moment, there was no quip, no insult; Ricky merely fixed his gaze on the hovering vampire above, feeling the weight of the moment.
His hands tightened around the handle of the blade, a steadfast resolve coursing through him.
"I WILL CRUSH YOU LIKE THE PEST YOU ARE! FOR MY MASTER! FOR OUR DOMINANCE OVER YOU MERE BLOOD BAGS!" Baron Blood let out a thunderous roar, he hurled his arms forward, unleashing a torrent of deadly droplets toward Ricky, who stood defiantly amidst the wrecked moving train, heart racing and instincts screaming for survival.
In that moment, Ricky stood alone, devoid of any tools to manipulate time or shield himself, with only the Ebony Blade gripped tightly in his hands. The skies opened up, unleashing a barrage of razor-sharp droplets that hurtled toward him with deadly speed, each one aimed with ruthless precision.
With a fierce determination, Ricky raised the sword, it's dark blade gleaming ominously in the chaos.
Within the sword, the Ebony Blade loomed, extending its slimy, black sludge of a hand, fingertips shimmering with a sickly light, as if eager to draw him into its malevolent influence.
The air crackled with tension, the stage set for an explosive confrontation as Ricky prepared to face the onslaught head-on.
"Only this once, will I lend my help for free."
Then, without a moment's hesitation, Ricky's eyes flared with crimson energy as the raw power of the Ebony Blade surged through him, igniting every nerve in his body. With an instinctive grace, he raised the sword in a magnificent arc that caught Alexander's eye, glimmering with a fierce beauty that transcended the chaos surrounding them.
As the blood droplets descended, poised to pierce and obliterate him from every direction, Ricky stood resolute, ready to unleash the blade's might.
The air around him pulsed with energy, and he felt the weight of his lineage and the strength of his own resolve guiding his every move rather than the inherent chivalry.
This was his moment,his time to shine against the encroaching darkness.
His time to swing his sword.
The Ebony Blade sliced through the air with a delicate grace, embodying the elegance of the world even as it heralded unspeakable destruction.
Its movements were fluid and mesmerizing, yet each arc carried an undercurrent of dread, as if the very essence of beauty was tainted by the annihilation it could unleash.
Red blips of electricity crackled in the air, gathering intensity as Ricky completed his swing.
*THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
Then, in an instant, a sonic boom erupted, sending a shockwave of crimson lightning cascading outward, illuminating the surroundings with an explosive brilliance.
Every object held together by the spell was cleaved in two by the vibrant red electricity, severed time and time again.
The blood droplets, once swirling with malevolent energy, disintegrated into nothingness under the weight of Ricky's heaven-defying power, obliterating the spell as if it had never existed.
Baron Blood stared in horror as his spells unraveled before the true might of the blade that had haunted the Black Knight's enemies for centuries.
However, this was the first time he had ever witnessed its power to cut through anything.
"How?" Baron Blood gasped, his defenses already raised, but his body was jerked back in an ugly manner as if struck by an unseen force.
Then, in the blink of an eye, every ounce of the Ebony Blade's power dissipated, leaving only Ricky's figure standing amid the chaos.
The strain of wielding such immense energy pulled at every reserve within him, draining his stamina and magic until he collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath as exhaustion weighed heavily on his body and mind.
Holding himself up with the blade, the train barely carried onto the other half of the bridge that wasn't destroyed.
The aftermath left a gaping hole in the bridge they had been traveling on, a testament to the chaos unleashed moments before. Baron Blood hovered in the air, slowly descending to the other side, his mind still reeling from the events that had just transpired.
Both he and Ricky locked eyes across the chasm, each one drained of their strength yet still standing, their wills unyielding.
Baron Blood finally set his feet down on the far side of the bridge, his gaze fixed on the retreating train that carried Ricky away.
Baron Blood squinted, observing the train holding Ricky thundered down the tracks, painfully aware that he lacked the strength to leap or fly across the gaping chasm left by their clash.
However, despite the duel appearing to end in a tie, it was evident that Ricky was in far worse shape, a truth both combatants understood all too well.
Baron Blood, with his keen instincts, recognized the danger of overextending himself; he could feel the fatigue creeping into his limbs.
He knew that if he pushed himself too hard, he would find his own condition mirroring Ricky's by the time they crossed paths again.
Caution tempered his hunger for victory as he weighed his next move, acutely aware of the stakes that lay ahead.
Baron Blood watched as Ricky staggered away, a fierce vow forming in his mind: the next time they met, he would skin him alive and never again underestimate this blood bag.
As Ricky passed the clearing, his strength finally gave out, and he collapsed, unable to keep himself on his feet any longer.
"Young Ricky-"
Ricky's face slapped into the ground, his consciousness fading as the world around him blurred into nothingness.
His eyelids fluttered shut, surrendering to the weight of exhaustion, and he slipped into a deep, oblivious sleep, leaving behind the chaos of the battle and the looming threat of Baron Blood.
'F*cking vampires.'
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