Chương 571: Gluttony (3)
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It was a normal day in Coldharbour, Daedra screeching, souls suffering, vampires sucking their victims dry. Almost three years in this strange state of emptiness and idleness all because of how things unfolded that day when all Castle Volkihar became trapped here.
The thing is that for a Domain to be able to travel through realms, it needs power of its own and Jon's little trick disturbed the Domain's Core greatly. Now that the disturbance was lifted, the Domain needed more time to regain that energy that was eaten away.
Serana liked the waiting in the darkness. Having all that free time to regain her focus and plan on what to do next was something that she really needed. Most of the other Vampires went back into hibernation including her father, Lord Harkon. Only a few were ordered to guard the castle during the period of hibernation and that included her father's steward, Feran Sadri. He was guarding the Castle Grounds from any intruder and most certainly keeping an eye on her as there were doubts about her aiding Jon in his escape despite the fact that she returned back and all this and that happened.
Now she only sits out in the balcony of the castle, sipping a certain kind of blood she took fancy to and revisiting her abilities, powers and the magic she used to know. Between most of the Vampires, she was the one who had a record in hibernation for almost a thousand years. So, asking Serana what is the most interesting thing she did since the time she woke up till now would make her say…
"Definitely that man's escape. It was…" and she gazes away looking for the correct set of words, "A moment of thrill."
It is true that the time she spent with Jon was short but an impactive one on her. In what way though?
"I never thought of rebelling against one of my parents. I never thought anyone could rebel against them… especially Father. He takes these matters quite pridefully. Seeing someone get away from him and me having to keep up with the lie is indeed something new."
It was quite an impactful moment on her character for her, the girl who was always raised to be the good daughter who answers her parent's every wish, and it made her realize that she can get away with anything if she put enough guts into it. Keeping up Jon's lie which was about a man named Krilon who kidnapped him was the thing she enjoyed the most. But why would she risk it?
"I think I am risking it for… the risk itself? To be honest, I am not quite sure. As I said, there was a thrill when he escaped and I think… I think the only lingering attachment I have from that thrill is the lie. One day I'll be found out and I can't imagine how my father will react. He will be disappointed in me for sure, he will punish me, he will think of mean ways to harm the human and his allies. To be honest, I don't care what happens but I think I will move at my own pace. This realm suffocates me to be honest, I want to see Tamriel again. Maybe travel on my own and find what to do with my freedom… If I got any."
Serana closed her diary book and playfully dipped her long index nail in a goblet of blood before taking it out and carefully sucking the blood off her finger.
In this upstairs private stoney room with ancient gothic furniture and where there is a balcony overlooking the dim skies of Coldharbour, she went on fiddling with the things she wrote for the past three years. Poems, stories, plans and sometimes novels and games. She was a writer with nothing but time and thousands of words spinning in her head. [A/n: Totally nothing like the poor me who's struggling for inspiration nowadays]
Yet amidst her zone of thinking about what to write next and searching for anything small enough to let her inspiration be unleashed, a swarm of bats enter through her balcony and joined up together into the image of a man… a mer, a dark one, glowing eyes, grim and grumpy appearance.
"Lady Serana, the Lord requests your presence." Feran said.
"As you can see, I am quite busy." She replied.
"When I said the word 'request', I was merely trying to be polite." Faren spoke again implying the urgency of the matter.
Serana gazed at him with her apathetic face as she walked out of the shadows. Her appearance was as if she didn't grow a second since the day Jon left her and despite her vampirism, she was good to look at but her eyes were the things of horror. Such an apathetic gaze with those eyes caused Serana to not appear as the young tinder woman she is supposed to be but rather someone with strange tendencies and a moody personality. Yet all of this was a thing and the crimson blood silk dress she wore was another thing. It didn't resemble anything of this world but it was going down with her figure outlining it to every perfect detail. Even her old-fashioned hairstyle was undone since long ago and she let her hair slide down to the side over her pale while shoulder. As she spoke, her dark wine lips revealed a set of marble white fangs and teeth.
"It is strange to hear of father waking up and asking to see me." She said.
"Oh… he wasn't asking to see you." Feran said.
The apathetic look in her eyes slowly turned to a glare. Feran simply bowed lightly with a hand on his chest.
"He merely asked for you to be present to witness the situation that is about to unfold." Feran said while looking with one eye to see how she reacts.
Her reaction was more disappointed than before.
"Whatever it is, I am not interested." She replied, returning back to the shadows.
"It is the criminal named Krilon who kidnapped the princess and sabotaged the Domain." Feran said, finally seeing a reaction on Serana's face.
"What of him?" She asked.
"We are capturing him."
***
It was natural for the Vampires to react to Jon's presence. He knew that once he arrives at Coldharbour, things will start to get hectic.
What happened next then?
The moment Jon walked out of the pyramid-like construct that is the Black Forge, he found himself surrounded by a legion of vampires and death hounds. Nothing is worse than a vampire other than a vampire with a dog, an undead non-fluffy dog… such an unforgivable existence!
"Criminal! Our Lord requests your presence in Castle Volkihar." The vampire leading the others spoke.
Jon tilted his head a little looking at the Vampire up and down.
"I always wondered who's going to show up. Turns out Harkon does not see me in his eyes and sent some goons instead." Jon said glaring around at those who dare treat him as prey.
"Hmph!" The Vampire snorted, "Our Lord said to invite you in, Mortal. He didn't say anything about severing your arms and legs and dragging you back to the castle…"
"Hold on!" Jon raised his hand.
The Vampires cluelessly felt threatened by the malicious intent they felt from Jon as he spoke but for some reason, they kept listening.
"You, even for a side character, just gave me a great idea. Severing arms and legs that is… such a thing! Hmmm… Alright, motherfuckers. Let's dance."
And he phase-shifted right in front of them.
It was unforeseen for the Vampires as they didn't expect one man to simply charge at a hundred of them.
He was simply seeking death for sure…
But for some reason, he wasn't alone.
He was followed by that large bone undead… and that strange black matter… and the strange Minotaur who was breathing fire… and that flying Staff that kept shooting magic on its own… and that Werebeast Cat that appears, disappears and clearly has a visible resentment against the death hounds.
It was supposed to be only one guy and they would charge and capture him but the Vampire Leader found himself being held up from the neck with a strange inability to move his limbs.
That was all a thing and when a strange creature with a Daedric aura, two mighty horns showed up; the vampires around were almost annihilated at a terrifying rate.
Jon smiled vividly behind his mask as he rested [Bloodskal] on his shoulder with the arms and legs of the vampire he is holding dropping on the ground.
"If you want my opinion, I'd say you guys are mortals as well, nothing suggests you can live after a blade skewers you through."
"Y… You… You will…"
"Yeah yeah, thought as much."
Jon stabbed the Vampire and cut him in half permanently killing him once and for all.
"I am truly disappointed in you, Harkon. I truly am." Jon spoke normally yet his voice echoed in the vicinity.
And who would have thought, his taunting worked.
All of a sudden, not only a mere hundred this time around but literal thousands upon thousands of vampires. It was the entire Volkihar Clan and their Lord, Harkon Volkihar himself.
"Alright…" Jon looked around thinking that he might have pushed his luck this time around, "It is good to see you, everyone."
"…"
His gesture of goodwill was met with even more glares yet no one dared to do a thing with Harkon present.
Harkon was present among all his Lieutenants. He was tall, not as tall as Jon but still fairly standing out among the crowd which wore an identical gothic vampiric uniform. He was silent yet his rage was visible in his glowing eyes, his beard and hair may look neat but his hidden expressions started to affect them making him look like a maddened demon.
"Daughter, that's the one who captured you?"
"Yes, father."
And here she is.
Serana.
She gazed coldly at Jon whom she never wanted to see again. A fool would go against her father, a damn fool would do it twice, an ultra damn fool would come without heeding her warning.
"Oh… it is you, cute little fangs."
Jon said boldly, smiling but knowing that no one will see it, he had to be polite enough to remove the mask himself.
"Long time no see."
It was a bit stressful for Serana to see Jon boldly acting like that, not that she cared. Now, her father knows that it was all a lie.
She stole a glance at her father only to see him even calmer than before. He was even faintly smiling.
Wait…
He knew all along?
Serana knew this moment would come but to think it was there all along. Jon should be…
Smiling back!
Serana was baffled by this situation but she didn't make it appear on her face, she raised her chin showing superiority to the rest of those who were just learning of the fact of her lie while watching what Jon was about to do next.
The damn rascal wasn't even looking at Harkon anymore. His eyes were glued on her as if he could see beyond her crimson silk dress judging by the dirty smile on his face.
"Cute little fangs, I think I love that dress." He spoke.
Indeed, he was surrounded by every vampire of the Volkihar Clan and all he did was lust for their princess in front of her father. If that wasn't Dare, then no one would know what else is.
In such a situation, even Serana was conflicted. She risked life and limb to leave him a message in the Hollow City telling him to leave everything and flee to the ends of Tamriel but he didn't only come back but even stood in front of her father speaking nonsense. It seemed her gesture of goodwill was not appreciated, the feeling that made her very disappointed.
"Enough wasting time." At that moment, Harkon seemed to have run out of patience.
He raised his hand and an incredible force filled the space around him. That force rushed towards Jon seeking him, surrounding him, claiming his will and breaking any resistance he may offer.
Just as it did touch him, it started to disappear. It was as if a large river suddenly met a bottomless pit. The river is stubborn and strong aiming to fill the pit and pass over it but the pit simply passive and receiving whatever it throws as if there is no limit.
"Are you done?" Jon asked.
Looking at his eyes, things no longer looked normal over there.
They were black, eternal pitch black that would swallow all the light. No matter how Harkon tries to destroy Jon's ability to fight back, Jon would simply defy all sorts of power. He would even become more resilient with time, it was when the river realized that there is no filling this limitless pit.
"Three years… three mortal years." Harkon spoke not angry but as if he was proud of Jon, "You used to be something akin to a worm. Now, look at you."
Harkon's rage intensified and showed more signs of old age which were not a usual thing for a vampire as it defies the whole purpose of vampirism but Harkon kept the dignified appearance of the king he used to be. The monster inside him lived too long in solitude and now, it felt the presence of another. He was one of the few whose rage and excitement were one and the same.
"Look at me." Jon finally paid attention to Harkon, "Do I look like a man with no plan to you?"
Harkon felt even more defiance from Jon this time.
"Plan? Only those who are weak seek such a thing. Against the absolute, all plans are futile, all schemes are in vain, all resistance is a waste of time." He said.
"Is that so?" Jon asked.
"Hehe! It is, child. It is. You will learn. You are a child of fate just like me but whatever the fate you have, it will not be equal scaring the Eye… of the Dragon."
Harkon said those last three words as he suddenly appeared in front of Jon and with a single swoop of his hand, he…
*Clank*
… hit something metallic.
"It took me a while to create this while I was waiting for you, how do you think of my craftsmanship?"
Jon spoke… but where is here.
Serana looked around only to see a hand gently coming from behind and holding her chin while its thumb playfully caressed her lower lip. It was a mystery how this hand reached her but his presence was very clear behind her.
Her father is right, Jon seemed to have grown since that time. He has grown drastically. But what kind of growth is that? Three years and he is able to look at her father in the eye and exchange word for word? This isn't what she thought would happen.
Meanwhile, Harkon was both baffled by Jon's actions and by the sturdiness of the thing he just hit. The creature was large and insanely sturdy. Even a full power swing from Harkon didn't scratch it.
"This thing… is your craftsmanship?"
"Nigh-indestructible."
Xikil, whose body is now made of one of the toughest metals in existence, has successfully stopped a full blow from Harkon. He was incredibly pissed at Jon and wanted to screw him over but Harkon was in his way. Blinded with his anger, Xikil held the arm Harkon hit him with and…
Xikil started flying for some reason.
Back on the ground level, Harkon who seemed to have flung his arm looked back unamused at Jon.
"He is still the same damn idiot though. I guess I should work on him from inside next time." Jon self-monologued as his other hand started to slip through Serana's dress.
Serana stiffened in fright while Harkon frowned and the rest of the vampires could no longer tolerate this.
"Catch that Mortal!" Harkon said but he didn't even need to say much as every vampire in the vicinity was on to Jon the moment he appeared behind Serana anyway.
Still…
*tear*
Jon was't molesting Serana or anything but rather, he tore off her blood crimson silk dress.
"AAARGH!"
Serana groaned from pain as if her flesh was being torn away from her. That moment, every vampire was a split of a second away before Jon phase-shifts far away once again.
In his hand, he appeared with the crimson silk dress that is now torn. It was such a beautiful dress but from inside, it looked horrible as if it was made of some organs and blood. It seemed that this damn thing has stuck itself on Serana for some time now.
"No… give… give it back."
She has fallen on her knees, her body was torn with strange injuries but she seemed to not be minding any of it. As many of the vampires gathered around in order to protect her, Harkon showed a hint of surprise and bafflement.
He recognized the accursed aura of this red dress she was wearing but he didn't know it was a piece of that thing.
"Cute little fangs, I am sorry to have burdened you with such a thing. [Gluttony] is not your sin to bear."
"No…" She felt very weakened but she couldn't stop, "It is… I want it."
This was an unexpected development on all fronts. Jon knew that this accursed thing will still be alive somehow and he expected Serana to bring it to him but not in this way.
The bloodvine that grew on him ever since that time he was trapped in a Briar-Heart tree. This vine mutated so many times that it became a parasite that feeds on him.
That's right, a Parasite.
Jon used the fact that the root has become a Parasite in order to eat away all the Power of Harkon's domain and while Harkon thought that he got rid of this thing long ago, Serana took a part of it for herself.
She fed that Parasite on her own blood and cultivated it on her body. It came to feed on her yet at the same time, it gave her strange powers and made her immune to most of the side-effects of Vampirism. After all, it fed on the Domain of a Vampire Lord for almost a year.
This thing… it is very compatible with Vampires and made it perfect enough for a vampire to cultivate his/her powers even more but they had to share this power with that thing. Yet there is one major flaw, this living object only answers to one person and one person only.
It is that man.
"As the master leaves the dog tied somewhere, the dog will always keep up its duties for that's what dogs are good for and until the master arrives, the dog will wag its tail to anyone who feeds it. But it always remembers the first hand that fed it as the Master." Jon said as he tore the dress apart even making it shriek rather than the sound of ripped fabrics.
The vampires wouldn't let Jon have his way either and no matter what he says and does, the orders were to apprehend him even on the cost of their lives.
Just as a couple of vampires charged in at Jon in a swarm of bats, the bloody dress in Jon's hand started to suddenly merge with his arms. The vampires caught Jon and started digging their teeth into his neck and arms but… it was as if they were biting metal.
The look on Jon's face changed, the artifacts he let out and even Jax and the fallen Xikil were all swept in the shadow of Nefertiti as she retreated inside Jon's Cube after she saw his grin turn into a vicious expression.
And he disappeared.
He vanished.
Even the vampires holding him couldn't feel him anymore.
"So…" His sound came from somewhere unknown no matter where everyone looked, "… This is the power of a Daughter of Coldharbour?"
The statement itself was ominous and the chilling vibes it gave made the vampires realize that they were playing Jon's game all along.
Without any warning, those two vampires who just attacked Jon were lifted in the air and as they struggled, one of them was bitten by the neck and like a bag of juice, he was shrunk from inside in an instant as if he was emptied from his content.
The same thing happened with the second vampire but this time, the identity of the "thing" holding him up and turning him into a husk appeared.
The only thing familiar about that "thing" was the red hair and the blue eyes which are identical to Jon's but the body itself was not that of a human. No one could help but to compare this thing to Jon. Jon was 7 feet tall but this "thing" is 8. Jon had smooth skin but this thing had a network of blood vessels covering him. Jon was the self-proclaimed most handsome young man on Tamriel but this is the stuff of nightmares with its irregular bone structure and undefined body.
The second vampire was sucked dry and crumbled into dust at the feet of that "thing".
It had its irregular long tongue lick away all the blood traces on his lips as he looked around to the other vampires like a wolf eyeing a herd of sheep and its voice gave the shivers to the world around him as he said…
"Oh… how the turns have tabled!"
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[Gluttony] <Briarheart Vampiric Essence>
- Gore Servant
- ???
- ???
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