Zero turned to Nick and Lenara, his expression unreadable. "Come on," he said casually, beginning to walk away.
The two newly reborn Lesser Umbra Vampires hesitated, exchanging confused glances. Nick finally broke the silence. "Where? You just told us we were free to do as we please."
Zero paused mid-step and turned back to face them. A faint smile, almost predatory in its intent, tugged at the corners of his lips. "True, I did. But first, I'll ensure your first feeding goes well. After all, what kind of creator would I be if I let you stumble through this on your own?"
Their confusion deepened, but they followed as Zero led them deeper into the forest. With his ring removed, Zero's senses sharpened to their fullest extent, and he reached out with his divine perception. The world was awash in ghostly lights—souls, each one a flickering ember of life. His eyes narrowed as he focused on a large cluster of souls radiating from a nearby mountain. It was a concentrated grouping, irregular and erratic in its movement—a telltale sign of either bandits or cultists.
Zero stopped and turned to face Valna, Nick, and Lenara. "There's a cave up ahead," he said, his voice calm but filled with an undertone of menace. "Inside, there are 17 living people. Twelve of them are bandits due to their dark souls, and the rest should be their captives."
Valna tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "A bandit hideout? How convenient."
Zero nodded, slipping his sealing ring back onto his finger, once again masking his divine aura. "Nick, Lenara, this will be your first true test. Feed on the bandits. Kill them if you wish. And if you find anyone among the captives worthy of joining your new family, then turn them. But only if they prove themselves worthy. If not then kill them too."
Nick and Lenara exchanged a glance, their newfound instincts already stirring at the prospect of feeding. Without another word, Zero grabbed hold of Valna and the two vampires, teleporting them to the entrance of the cave in a blink of an eye. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and decay, and faint voices echoed from within. Zero gestured toward the entrance with a lazy wave of his hand. "Go. Enjoy yourselves."
Nick and Lenara hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the darkness of the cave, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. Zero leaned against a nearby tree after placing the ring back on, arms crossed, as Valna stood silently beside him. He watched the entrance with a faint smile, his thoughts as cold and calculating as ever.
Inside the cave, Nick and Lenara moved like shadows, their movements silent and predatory. The first thing they encountered was the sight of the captives—three men and two women, chained to the far wall of the cavern. The men were battered and bruised, their faces swollen and bloody. The women's clothing was torn, and their eyes were hollow, filled with a despair that spoke volumes about the horrors they had endured. One of the men, with delicate, effeminate features, bore the same haunted look, suggesting he had suffered similar violations.
The bandits were scattered throughout the cave, lounging near a central fire. They laughed crudely, their voices echoing off the stone walls, oblivious to the predators now stalking them. Nick and Lenara exchanged a glance, their instincts guiding them as they split up to take down their prey.
Nick was the first to strike. He moved with inhuman speed, materializing behind a bandit and sinking his fangs into the man's neck before he could even scream. The other bandits barely had time to react as Nick ripped out the man's jugular shocking them. As they were paralyzed by fear Nick ripped through their ranks, his movements a blur of violence. Blood sprayed across the cavern walls as he tore into them, feeding on their lifeblood with savage efficiency. The air was filled with the gurgling cries of dying men, their terror palpable as they realized they were being hunted.
Lenara was no less ruthless. She cloaked herself in shadows, slipping behind her targets with ghostly precision. Her fangs pierced flesh with a sickening crunch, and she drank deeply, her eyes glowing with dark satisfaction. One bandit tried to fight back, swinging a crude blade at her, but she caught it effortlessly, snapping his wrist and tore it off completely before draining him dry.
Within minutes, the twelve bandits lay dead, their bodies lifeless husks drained of blood. Nick and Lenara stood amidst the carnage, their breathing heavy but their hunger sated. Their attention turned to the captives, who cowered in their chains, too terrified to speak.
The effeminate man whimpered, his bruised face turned away as if trying to make himself invisible. The two women flinched as Nick and Lenara approached, their eyes wide with fear. One of the men, defiant even in his broken state, glared at them. "Just kill us and get it over with," he spat, blood dripping from his swollen lip.
Nick tilted his head, studying the captives with a calculating gaze. "Not all of you will die," he said, his voice cold and detached. "Some of you... might be worthy."
Lenara knelt before the two women, her eyes narrowing as she reached out to touch their faces. She inhaled deeply, as if savoring the scent of their fear and despair. "Such beautiful suffering," she murmured, her voice almost tender. "You will make perfect additions to our family."
Nick turned his attention to the effeminate man, who recoiled as Nick's dark gaze bore into him. "And you... your pain is intoxicating. You will serve us well."
The decision was made, and Nick and Lenara acted swiftly. They sank their fangs into the chosen captives, their venom coursing through the victims' veins, initiating the transformation. Soon a thirst overcame the 3 individuals and it could only be satiated by Nick and Lenara's blood. After they ingested the blood the transformation took hold while much didn't change on the outside with the exception of their fangs growing, their skin growing slightly paler, and their eyes turning black. The real change was within as their bodies greedily began absorbing dark mana and condensing a crystal with their bodies.
The two men who had been beaten but not chosen were left for the newly turned vampires to feed from. Once the transformation was done a hunger grew in them and their meal was next to them. Breaking free of their chains with their immense strength they fed on the screaming men, whose lifeless bodies would soon decay and be forgotten.
Outside the cave, Zero felt the shift in the air as the transformation ended. He turned to Valna, his expression neutral. "They've made their choices."
Valna raised an eyebrow. "And how do you feel about their selections?"
Zero shrugged. "It doesn't matter. It's their decision. They're free to build their family as they see fit. But whether or not they can control them is another matter entirely."
As if on cue, Nick and Lenara emerged from the cave, the three newly turned vampires trailing behind them covered in blood. The new additions were pale and disoriented, their eyes full of confusion as they adjusted to their new existence. Nick and Lenara looked to Zero, their expressions expectant.
"They'll need guidance," Nick said. "We'll teach them."
Zero nodded, his eyes briefly scanning the new vampires. "Good. Start with teaching them how to feed properly like I taught you. Teach them well. And remember, your family is a reflection of you. Don't disappoint me."
Nick and Lenara bowed their heads in unison, their respect for Zero evident. "We won't," Lenara promised.
Zero smiled faintly, his crimson eyes gleaming. "Then go. Spread your wings and carve your path. But remember, this world will want to kill you above all else."
With that, Nick and Lenara led their new family into the forest, their figures disappearing into the darkness. Zero watched them go, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "This world will soon know the meaning of fear," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Valna stepped closer, her expression unreadable. "And what will you do now?"
Zero turned to her, his smirk widening. "Now? Head back to Torin's place. Yoko should have finished with eggs. So it's time to make the spirits who will help the people of this world kill those children I just made."