Authors note:
I just completed 2018 words in this chapter, this bit here not included in that count. You'll notice that as this chapter neared it's end the grammatical errors got worse. those were intentional. I wanted to express the urgency of Marc trying to wrap up what he wanted to say.
*rustle*
*rustle*
*rustle*
A lone vampire, now vampire father limped quickly to a destination known only whatever entity presides over fate and chance, for he himself was too delirious from giving birth to have a plan in mind.
His really hot succubus wife chased at him, behind them were all Marcus's retainers followed by her own succubae soldiers. Husband over here, wasn't thick skinned, but he felt the suffering of SUCCess that was to be chased by those of the opposite gender.
"MY LORD/MARCUS, LORD/MARCUS,MASTER/MARCUS!!!!!!"
All shouted, scaring him even more, the blood dripping down his feet became even more pronounced, It seemed to register amongst them to not be too forceful with thier lord least they really provoke him so they all tried to seem less threatening. But Lady Lilia was a little slow to catch on.
"Wait, come back here Markuss or else....", said wifey dearest. Immediately she felt regretful for yelling that in such an agitated, murderous tone and slowed down.
Marcus's wounds became worse.
*Snicker* even replying to that brainless sentence would tax him too much. Perhaps if he wasnt so hysterical, he would realise that the succubi weren't being serious in their chase with him!
You see dear reader, this world itself was matriarchal in nature. In this cursed world, men, after depositing their semen in their spouse, would be weakened for the next 9 months of pregnancy, as their QI would leave their body to enter the womb of the pregnant female to nourish the unborn fetus through some means via void/spatial element.
Women on the other hand became stronger for that nine months period and then some! The excess chi from their man would nourish them permanently, then in addition to that, nature itself would modify their feminine bodies to become stronger temporarily, so that the soon to be mothers could preserve themselves an their soon to be born child better. This is Similar to nature in the real world, where tigresses and hyenas were stronger than their male counter parts as it were the female who looked after their young. It was common to see pregnant women on the battlefield and even more so for them to be feared. Pregnancy was actually a viable means of cultivation, the most basic in fact. It was used by bandits and young mistresses from all races alike.
Marcus the vampire was both affected the 9 month loss of chi and running from a now ex-pregnant woman, Lilia his wife, plus company. The only reason he was able to out run them, while carrying the young Half vampire-incubus was because they themselves didn't want to harm him!
Good God Marcus, what is wrong with you?!
It was all a misunderstanding! Lilia The succubus was furious yes, but she loved Marcus, she wanted answers, yes, but she didn't want to see her husband and son hurt.
Passing out orders via telepathy, the succubi gently herded Marcus to the hope of love cliff.
It was by far the safest place on the south eastern part of the capital's forest compared to those beast nests elsewhere. Even if Marcus did jump of the cliff in a moment of madness , he'd be safe uner the protection of the sea weed patches underneath the cliff. The old legend behind it also gave her spiritual strength.
'Rian my beautiful boy child, mama's coming ', Lilia held onto a beautiful future to suppress her worries. The chance of young prince being spawn killed here were high, even if Marcus was safe. "fei'er, hina, look after us, if something goes wrong, our family will be broken here" begging for the blessings of her daughters who weren't present, lilia brought the chase to an end.
"Burn,...my blood!", lilia used a little more speed that was necessary, going so far as to use a technique that would weaken her for a month, this chase was a big event for her after all, her family was at stake!
With a swift "Hua!" she corked the nose of the cliff an used her wings to seal as much of the dangerous edge as possible, she would not allow Marcus to jump, she would not allow Rian to die here!
Marcus, in almost exaggerated surprise, fell on his knees and definitely broke something. Even in his craze, he was still a good father, managing to keep Ririan safe, who happily giggled at the end of the 'fun ride'.
To the now born Ririan this whole experience felt was like a joy ride . All this madness that saw nobles and their imperial guard level retainers run in a cinematic worthy chase was just some entertainment to him.
Everyone there interested in the safety of the new young master, smiled bitterly at the scene. Perhaps this was foreshadowing to the future where he would become a tyrannical monarch of all under heaven?
'Ignorance is bliss', they thought. Lilia, Marcus, the 30 plus retainers, all of whom were veterans in the way of combat couldn't help but calm down, lowering their guard. Yes, Ririan's peaceful aura was enough to abruptly kill all tension in the chase scene.
They who had been in war for most of their lives, found the feeling of relaxation that was inspired from the laugh, to be so new...so unnerving. The happiness they felt were welcomed but they just werent used to such positive feelings.
"The lord will be a well loved figure for sure",they all thought. It was obvious, that the reason they felt so good had to do with the incubus aura of Rian. He was definitely stronger than most incubi as at being out the womb and judging by the rejuvenation and healing that all parties were blessed with, the young lord would definitely grow to be a great healer.
Even if he chose to be one of the rare men on the front lines, the quality and quantity of his pure mana would see him become a formidable support mage.
Lilia and Marcus looked each other in the eyes.
Their breathing returning to normal, the red fading from Marcus's eyes.
Their bitter smile turn a little less bitter.
their silent standoff continuing. Suddenly Lilia knelt down to the astonishment of Marcus and the retainers and then kowtowed.
Tears rolling down her cheeks, she pleaded "Mark, please, lets just talk, I'm sorry of yelling and chasing you down like this alright, it was all my fault alright, just dont...dont leave me alright. For Rian's sake let's not make a bigger scene, lets just talk ok?" Lilia babbled.
"JUST TELL ME WHY ALREADY!!"
It was rare for a woman to shed tears, it was even rarer for a woman to show submissiveness to a man as-well. This world was matriarchal remember?
Marcus felt moved and calmed down.
"I also wanted to talk...to say something.." Marus tried his best to choke out the words he needed to say."Lemme just say this first....I Swear, I could never cheat on you!I Love you!!"
"Idiot, of course I know you'd never betray me, Did you actually have so little trust in me!?", Lilia showed her charm as a tsundere and went in to hug Marcus. Even if Marcus wanted to do something, like trying to jump to his death from the cliff, she'd stop him now that she was so close to him.
"Heheh", little Ririan giggled again, the life and death vibe from earlier had dissipated. The medical and combat retainers surrounded him, keeping him away from danger, ready to give their lives to their young lord.
Everyone Gave space to Lilia and Marcus, what ever they were about to discuss, had caused markus to run after pregnancy and make off with their young prince.....Wait...Rian wasn't even a pure blood anymore. Sparks were going to fly in the courts.
"Lili, listen well to me", mark stared at her eyes, "In the last dispute with the vampire tribe, I was cursed by one of their finest. The blood sucker infected me with her kiss and now I am an incubus no longer.
"Mark...", lili was lost, she took out some precious medicines to help marus with his broken leg.
"Claudia that leech went further than a mere kiss too, but that not important now, I didnt want to damage our perfect relationship lili so I hid it from you...She planned this out"
Markus slapped away the medicines gently,what needed to be said need to be said NOW!
Marcus gave her a knowing look, Lilia was a smart person,
She should have realised by now that the scheme behind this was to set up lilia's place in the Royal palace and the standing of the succubus race as a whole. The civil infighting of the succubus race would open up some opportunities for the vampires to steal 'cattle'(humans).
The relations amongst the demon tribes were not all godd after all. the succubi abhorred the vampires and to let the young prince be fully turned into a vampire would show weakness to the other demon tribes.
Even raising a vampire Rian,with their own resources ,would be disgraceful. To the leadership of succ, it would feel as if they were a cuckold, who had to raise the child of another man.
"Using some prenatal techniques, I managed to make him to preserve his as a half-breed, if he practices the tao well enough, in the future he can interchangeably evolve to any of the humanoid races.
Lilia opened her eyes wide, this technique was ground breaking.
Markus chuckled bitterly,"Things arent always that simple."
Marcus moved on slurring some words "I dont want to become a bloodsuker lilia, I planned out how this night would go, so many times, I had planned for everything, but all of those plans together became a mess, and so many plotholes were birthed and the birth made me go mad and me fked it up."
"The reason I asked you to preserve the imperial human royalty of evergarden on this island, was because their blood and women, would aid Rian, In fact the reason I proposed we wage war here instead of the more prestigious strategic locations was because this island could be used to keep Rian from their hands until he renounces his vampire blood"
"So now ill go into hding, If you can kill.....her and bring me her gall blader, only then can I be savved,ok?"
Marcus signaled with his eyes that that was all he had to say.
Lilia wordlessly transported Marcus into her joyful union (spatial) ring for safe keeping for a while.No, she would not allow him to run off and hide himself in dangerous circumstances!
She then went back into the capital to rejoin her retainers.
This was supposed to be a night of triumpt of succubi victory over humans. A month after the islad was well under demon control. The royal family had been captured and their executing indefinitely delayed. the strategic nature of this island and it'ss resource richness were all imporant assets to the demon queen. Itwas mostly their victory, low losses sustained.
Now it came out to lilia that her husband was infected and turned into a vampire via rape.She was a cuckquean now, green was always her favorite color too...Her son was a disdained half breed and would have to train hard to fix that.He had to train in secret too to avoid any future backlash. Even if he was just temorarily a half-breed, that wouldn't stop anyone from using that against him in the future.His life was going to be hard.Trouble in Paradise,if you will.
Marcus distrusted her ability to handle the situation, that he stole her freshly pregnant baby and ran for dear life in a plan so poorly fashioned, that she suspected mental illness on his part.
Lilia needed to retaliate again the vampires for this.