Chapter 1 – History's Remembrance

"It's been thirteen years since the team under the sands of Africa found the Echo. This Museum has been showing the inert device off for the past year."

The tour would continue as the woman continued her guide by showing off many artifices from the time period, her long scarlet hair being a discerning feature though her lovely fox-like ears with the silky long tail would also be another feature that people would recognise.

"During the time between the activation of the Echo till today nearly fifty-eight percent of the population has been changed, Some of the changes are light like with my fox tail and ears" Her smile grew as she continued to show her lovely features out.

The group would nod, many were human though some had strange added animal parts, some were rather small with some even having a green tint, while on the other scale there was a few large woman with pointed ears and pompous laughs.

"There is many fantasy races now around, many think that a long time ago these races existed when magic was abundant but they slowly become humanised when magic was lacking. Next up is the Echo itself. We must remind people not to climb onto the Echo, touch the Echo or to even speak to the Echo"

As the group continued through, one particular man would feel his eyes drawn to the large sphere hanging just above the ground, strange chiselled markings indented all over the orb, each indent slightly glowing with arcane power, in comparison the man was rather dark in mood with long black hair with crimson tipped ends, athletic body though dark circles under his eyes, though his eyes had some point of change compared to a normal human. Dark yellow that seemed to almost glow under certain light.

Darrien continued his slow movement towards the Echo, the large sphere suspended roughly six foot from the floor as the young man continued his approach. He felt her breath catch in the back of his throat as the whispers continued, alongside the singing of the choir. He felt drawn as he approached, hand reaching out before he pressed his palm against the cold metal of the artefact, heat spreading as he felt his entire body figuratively burst into flame, the hot flame making him twitch out as he felt the back of his collar jerk back as he was pulled away several foot.

"Hey, I told you Darrien, no touching Echo!" said the red hair half fox woman.

Several Hours Later – High Street Skea

"I've never felt anything like that, Echo is such a strange thing"

Darrien had moved from the museum and out into the streets, having his ear chewed off from his instructor as he was told to leave for the rest of the day. He had chosen to instead come to the main high street in the city, his main focus would be on finding a job that would be able to provide him an income. He had been living alone in his apartment for some time while he attended university but his own funds would only take him so far and he needed to take a night job to help.

"I've been into most of these stores, though I've never seen this Night club before… Crimson Dawn?" Darrien would repeat as he would slowly enter the club, his eyes squinting as the light went really bright as he passed through the doors into the main corridor, The carpet and walls both had a strange velvet look with a deep crimson red hue to them. Two woman sleeping on one of the benches as he passed, one human while the other was some sort of half wolf mix, her tail slowly moving across the wooden surface of the bench. Both seemed to be in a deep snooze as he pushed into the main room.

Entering into the main room, it was one of the stranger night clubs one could visit. The carpet still the crimson red, many private booths with curtains as everything was a similar red. To the left was a large oak bar, many old bottles of alcohol lining the wooden shelving behind as the stool lining were rather empty, going down a level was many open tables and chairs, filled with many people who seemed to be digging into something to eat, right in the center was an open dance floor which was empty at this time, no music playing in the background.

The floor above the bar area seemed to be the VIP area, many small clusters of people stood around, almost like they were watching those below. Sitting in what almost seemed like a glorified throne, dressed in a low-cut, black sweater, showing off her cleavage perfectly, and a skirt to match, letting her long, white legs get the attention they deserved. Her stockings covering them but not her thighs, which popped out a small bit.

"Vanessa! Please choose me this evening. I went on three months of diets just to please you!"

"No, no Vanessa please choose me! I've spent the past year de-toxing"

It was like this every night, while most would get annoyed at the constant barrage, she loved the attention, it made her feel alive and also gave her the pick of the litter when it came to a meal.

Vampires were never sated when it came to getting a good meal.

Though it would only hold her attention for a brief moment as she slowly looked past the feisty group of woman, her nose catching his scent, so lovely and divine that her entire focus was caught on it, slowly passing the group as they parted like the sea, her eyes eventually landing on an interesting male who had entered. Young with red tips at the end of his hair, much to skinny for her liking but the scent was driving her insane, she had to have him, no one would stop her.

Standing behind the bar, roughly 6'7 with muscles rapped on his body like a professional weight lifter, green tinted skin covering his entire body with two large tusks pressing from the lower jaw out, his brown eyes scanning over the entire bar till they landed onto the human male who seemed to be smiling rather awkwardly. Letting out a small gruff, Drax would start wandering over, two heavy foot falls as his trunk like legs moved down the bar. "What do you want humie" he said roughly. This skinny man for some reason was getting under his skin, his Aura was really starting to unnerve him.

Darrien's eyes watched at this large hulking monster wandered down the bar, He felt his own body shake with every rough movement. It took most of his own willpower to not simply run out the front door, the only reason he stayed was due to the wooden bar that seemed to barricade the beast inside.

"Greetings, I was wondering if you had a job offer open. I'm looking to work during the night shift, any time is fine really" He said gently as he watched the orc size him up.

"Hah, Are you kidding me. Small pint like you might as well just leave. Pastry shop is several doors down, suits you best worm." The large Orc replied with a spit.

Darrien felt his blood boil as he watched for a moment, he would simply smirk as he quickly came to the realization that he was possibly not the manager. "I want to speak to your boss, can you please inform them." He caught the subtle twitch and anger flare as he guessed correctly, though he would not see the rest of the Orc's action as he watched a beautiful woman step into the side, tall though not as tall as the Orc.

"Now my dear, no need to get so worked up, please go and take a rest" Vanessa commanded as her eyes never left Darrien, though Drax would flinch at the command and quickly move away and out of the bar. Vanessa had him well-trained at this point as she slowly continued moving along as she licked her lips.

"What business do you have here, hm? Perhaps you wish to gaze upon the beauty of the underworld? Or maybe a more, erotic taste can suit your needs?" she continued as her eyes never left him, he was not normally her taste as she preferred the fairer sex but his scent was something she just had to sample.

"Ahh, I was more on the look for getting a job, though thank you for the other offers" He said feeling his cheeks flare up lightly, he never knew this was that sort of club, maybe he should have run.

"Oh, well are you not so lucky that I came then, please come into my office."

She quickly took the man into the office, slowly shutting the door as she flipped the sign for no one to enter, she was not going to get disturbed by anyone.

She was going to enjoy this.