{Shadow Code: Shadow Hounds}
A pack of ten Shadow Hounds emerged from Allistair's shadow and flocked around him. They were slightly bigger than normal dogs and their sleek black fur was streaked with violet.
Allistair smiled, "Hey guys. I want you to do some scouting. Howl if there is danger and Frank....", he looked sternly at a particular hound with a violet tip on its tail.
"No digging random bones out of the ground."
Frank looked disappointed but he joined the other hounds as they scouted the area.
"You have a really handy attribute Allistair.", Hauser remarked looking at a hound sniffing around a rock.
"Thanks, doctor."
One hound returned and Allistair stroked its head. He nodded as if listening to the hound, "Alright. Thanks, buddy.", he stood up, "We might encounter something but overall, the surroundings are okay."
"So where is this Rupture you guys are supposed to seal?", Hauser asked. "It is over there.", Jack pointed to some cliffs a little far away to their right.
"Are you sure Jack?", Allistair asked to which he nodded.
Allistair whistled and Frank the Shadow hound bounded up to him, wagging his tail. Allistair pointed his finger towards the cliffs and Frank, with an excited howl dashed towards them.
"I can't wait to find a Blood Lily for my experiment.", Hauser said with excitement.
"It better not be like last time.", Allistair frowned. A few of the doctor's experiments end up in disaster. Like last time he experimented on a formula to improve the quality of cabbages.
Unfortunately, it failed, resulting in Crystalis city being invaded by mutant cabbage monsters. It took a full week to get rid of the nasty buggers.
Since then, Allistair has had an aversion towards the leafy vegetable.
Suddenly he felt a sharp drop in his magia and a piercing howl echoed from the cliffs.
"Frank!", Allistair yelled. He called back the other hounds and started towards the cliffs. Jack and Hauser followed him.
"Did something happen to him?", Jack asked. Allistair nodded, "Seems like something attacked Frank. Something near the Rupture."
Jack's face turned grim, "Then we have to get there fast before whatever attacked a Shadow hound goes to the other side."
Allistair felt another dip in his magia. Whatever is facing Frank, it is giving him a hard time. Strangely enough, he couldn't call back the Shadow hound.
The three of them reached the spot where Allistair felt Frank's presence. It was a clearing surrounded by boulders. The three of them hid behind a big boulder.
Allistair took a peek and saw a small group of humanoid creatures surrounding something in the middle of the clearing.
Their clothes were ragged and worn out. They were extremely pale and black talons curled from their hands. And they were surrounding Frank.
"Blood Feasters.", Jack whispered.
The lower vampires surrounded Frank in all directions and looked at the hound with red eyes glowing with malice.
"No wonder I couldn't call back Frank.", Allistair pointed at the wounded Shadow hound, a black dagger sprouted from his back.
"That is shadow steel. The only metal that can touch shadows. Somehow these guys managed to get themselves a dagger made of the stuff."
Hauser nodded, "Well, Blood Feasters do have intelligence."
"That doesn't explain how they got the dagger.", Jack whispered, "We leave one alive for questioning."
"Alright, Jack. I will take care of them.", Allistair pulled out his claymore and slowly crept to a boulder near the group. He kept his presence suppressed to avoid alerting them.
Allistair looked at Jack who held up three fingers.
Three, two, one.
Allistair leaped from behind the rock and swung his claymore swiftly at the Blood Feasters. The lower vampires were taken by surprise and scattered but not before the blade sliced two of them in half.
Blood splattered the ground but not a drop fell on Allistair.
"Didn't know you guys had a taste for shadows.", he said as he slowly approached the group.
One of them, a Blood Feaster with long black hair smiled, showing his sharp fangs, "How fortunate. Our prey came to us before we even took a step into the portal."
"Sorry to burst your bubble. But I love my blood and prefer it to be inside me.", Allistair said.
The Blood Feasters howled and pounced on him with inhuman speed. Allistair calmly held out his hand, {Shadow Code: Paralysis Spikes}.
Spikes composed of shadows formed in front of him and flew at the Feasters. They passed through the vampires and disappeared.
The lead Feaster laughed, "What was that supposed to be?"
Suddenly the Blood Feasters froze, their talons mere inches away from Allistair's calm face.
The lead Feaster was shocked, "What are you all doing? Get him!"
"Unfortunately. They won't be moving for a while.", Jack came behind him. The Feaster yelped in surprise and jumped back.
Jack pointed at the ground where the shadows of the other Feasters were pinned to by Allistair's spikes, "They don't do physical damage but they will completely freeze you if they touch your shadow."
"Right on the spot Jack.", Allistair said as he swiftly beheaded the Feasters.
The lead Feaster fell back against a rock. Jack pointed his sword at his throat, "Where did you get the dagger?"
"What dagger?"
"I believe he meant this.", Allistair threw the shadow steel dagger between the Feaster's feet. He had carefully pulled it out of Frank's back.
"Let me ask you again. Where did you get this dagger.", Jack pressed his sword to the Feaster's throat.
"I will never tell you.", the Blood Feaster sneered.
Jack shrugged, "Alright. Off you go.", he raised his sword and swung. The Blood Feaster's eyes widened, "No! I will tell you!"
The sword stopped at his throat, a single drop of blood trickled. He looked at the blood, his favorite thing with panicked eyes.
"Okay. Now tell us where did you get this dagger?", Allistair asked as Jack removed his sword from the Feaster's throat.
"My master gave it.", the Feaster replied. "Your master?", Hauser asked.
He nodded, "His name is Ca..", before he could say anything else, a dagger sprouted from his throat. Jack, Allistair, and Hauser jumped back in surprise.
The Blood Feaster clawed at his throat and gurgled as blood gushed out. He soon stopped moving and lay there, dead.
"It is not a good thing to rat out your master at the threat of death.", A voice spoke behind them. The trio turned around and saw a young man standing a few feet from them.
He had ashen grey skin, white hair, blackened eyes that glowed dark purple. He had black lines all over his skin, making him look like a cracked statue.
'A Fallen human.', Allistair thought.
A horde of Blood Feasters stood behind the Fallen as if awaiting his orders. He tilted his head at Hauser and smiled, "Why, if it isn't doctor Hauser?"
"Callum? Is that you?", Hauser replied, recognition dawning behind his tinted glasses.
"You know this guy?", Jack asked the doctor. Hauser nodded, "He was one of my assistants. I fired him after finding him dabbling with black magia."
"I see you have become successful in becoming a Fallen.", he turned to his Fallen assistant.
Callum smiled, "Thank you, doctor. It is an amazing feeling to have incredible power flowing in my veins. You should try it."
Hauser shook his head, "Thanks for the recommendation. But I prefer good old pure magia."
"Well. Too bad.", Callum sneered, "I am going have to kill you to stop you from closing that Rupture."
"Do you think you can do that, dear Callum?", Hauser asked calmly. "Of course. I have become much stronger than you.", Callum retorted.
"Captain Raven. Vice-captain Night. Both of you go and seal the Rupture. I want to take care of my old assistant and if you find any Blood Lilies, please get some for me.", Hauser requested.
"But you have to face a horde of Blood Feasters.", Allistair said worriedly.
"Don't worry Allistair. Hauser may be a bit odd but he is more than capable in a fight.", Jack reassured him.
"Go on lads. I've got this.", Hauser said.
Allistair nodded and summoned a Shadow hound. He and Jack followed it into a cave on the cliff face.
"Mighty heroic of you. But your efforts are in vain.", Callum said.
"Let's stop the chatter. Shall we?", Hauser twisted the handle of his cane and pulled out a silver sword.
"I have never seen you fight. Let's see how good you are.", Callum nodded his head, "Kill him."
The Blood Feasters behind him charged at Hauser with inhuman speed.
Hauser leaned forward and dashed towards the upcoming enemy. He calmly dodged the talons of the first Feaster and sliced at the tendons of his legs.
The Feaster fell flat on his face and Hauser stabbed him in the back of the neck. The doctor blocked the talons of another Feaster with a scalpel and plunged it into her palm.
He kicked the screaming Feaster and sliced her throat. Another Feaster jumped at him from behind and brought down his talons. Hauser moved to the side and the talons missed him by an inch, nicking his coat.
{Water Code: Piercing Needles}
Long thin needles of water formed behind him and hit the Feaster. Hauser turned around and plunged his sword into the vampire's heart. He then punched him in the face for ruining his coat.
Four Feasters surrounded him. Hauser stamped his feet on the ground, {Water Code: Tidal Surge}, a powerful wave of water erupted around him and swept the Feasters away.
He then dashed and quickly dispatched them. More Feasters rushed at him.
Hauser used his water magia to boost himself up in the air. He brought out his scalpels and threw them. They all hit their mark.
When he landed, only five Feasters remained.
The last five were different from the others. They were taller and more buff and wore light armor.
"These guys are elite Blood Feasters and are no pushovers.", Callum said. He thrust out his hand, "Get him!"
The five disappeared from their spot. Hauser quickly jumped from his spot just as they appeared and pulverized the ground.
"That was close.", he held onto his hat. A Feaster appeared behind him and attacked. Hauser twisted in mid-air and blocked with his sword. But the force was enough to slam him into the ground.
He got up and dusted his coat, "You dirtied my coat. Now I am mad."
The five Blood Feasters appeared around him and attacked.
What happened next was fast. Hauser swung his sword in a circle, {Water Code: Rock Slicer}.
The five Blood Feasters were cut in half and got blown away by the attack. 'So much for being elites.', Hauser thought when he sensed a strong presence rushing at his side.
He blocked an attack with his hand. It was strong enough to push him back.
"Not bad doctor!", Callum smiled as he withdrew his fist.
"You have indeed become strong. But for what price?", Hauser asked.
"Who cares. As long as I get power, I don't care what I have to do.", the Fallen sneered.
Hauser sighed and took his stance.
"Very well. Shall we dance?"