Annoyed with how the raid went, I sat leaning my face into my hand at a tavern. The weather had turned rainy, and therefore went with my sour pouty expression. My ale wasn't even making the failure any better, much as I'd like it to. Really, my father had warned me ages ago to not drink. But my father was also a solitary and innocent man.
Even Auntie Nia couldn't end his naivete. Nor could Uncle Phintias corrupt or break him. Which was even more a difficult thing after he moved his wife and their family to the Southern Empire, ruled by the same royal family as our home. The ruling family, a hundred years ago, had unified the continent we currently lived in, and conquered the Southern Empire.
They'd had six children, and two more by consorts, making eight children in total. Varan took over the Silver Reef Isla, Relian took over this continent, and the Southern Empire was ruled by Elia. Then they each selected of their children the best to continue their rule.
Interestingly, Princess Sevine married Jasper Hearthry. The Hearthy family was well loved by my parents, Isarial Hearthry being the hero of the family. Plus Daelyn Hearthy eventually married my half sister Nessa. One of their Vampire-Leonin hybrid children, Daenirys, was selected as heir to take over the Lucky Stone when Seralyn passed.
I had many cousins, a few aunts and uncles, plenty of siblings and many nieces and nephews. Mostly from Nessa and Daelyn. Of that generation I'd only met Isarial and Daelyn, they rest had all passed before I was born. Daelyn had a sort of longevity curse on him, though he didn't want real immortality like we vampires have.
Isarial had immortality, through lycanthropy and being a demi-god, though it only passed to two of his kids. And a few of his grand kids.
Currently, my failure was surviving a cave adventure, where my group didn't. This was surprisingly common. They'd run in, weapons ready, and get slaughtered, and I'd spend the following several hours hauling their bodies out, and returning them to the nearest town. And having guards inform their loved ones of their passing.
This had happened four times already, all pairings where they'd picked me out to travel with, or the guild had selected them to travel with me. And now I was having a drink in a pretty famous tavern. The first time it'd happened, it'd spooked my mother and alarmed my father. I'd snuck off after all.
The second time my grandfather, Alexander tried to have a talk with me. The third time, my older siblings and their kids, laughed at me. The fourth it was recommended by Uncle Phintias that perhaps it was a good way to call the stupid... and what will they say now? Maybe I was a jinx?
Either way, I finished my drink and headed through the rain to my home. Wellspring Villa. It was pretty much just a place where Hearthry and Locke children lived now. Well, really we were spread out some. Some lived in Wellspring, some in Hearthstone, and others in Valor's Crest, or between there and Hearthstone in Isarial's Mansion.
I reached the outside of my home past dark, and paused. I didn't really want to go inside. Sighing, I entered anyways. People weren't bothering to be inside, because the dome kept rain from falling on us here. Daelyn, the annoying cat brother that he is, spotted me first. It was most likely my expression that revealed to him how my latest attempt had gone.
He tilted his head, "Oh, did it not go well?"
"You will one day turn grey and then what will you do?" I asked.
"Blend into the mountains really easy." He replied.
"Haah. No, it didn't go well, I was checking for traps, and the fighter dashed into the room saying, 'Finders keepers slow poke!' Then when he got smashed by a Boulder, the cleric rushed to try and heal him, got decapitated by a wire the fighter was too short to run into. The barbarian got pissed and threw me into the room and decided because I landed relatively unharmed that it was therefore safe." I ranted. "Huge surprise, it wasn't!"
"You know, you know, it's a lot easier to get good adventuring pals if you don't let the guild assign them to you." Daelyn said.
"They only assigned me to like two groups." I said. "So there goes that theory, Daelyn."
"No, the theory still holds, because both of those groups, I'm pretty sure are dead." Daelyn said. "You know, I could rustle you up a group."
"I'll just sneak off and do it by myself. I don't want to be the pet monster." I sighed.
"I'm sorry, the pet monster?" Daelyn asked.
My emotions got the better of me and a tear slipped from my eyes before I could hide it. I swiped at my face. "Yeah, well. Like I said, I'm gonna just go by myself."
"Oh, come on, Brat. Tell me who needs to get messed up." Daelyn said.
"It's fine. Maybe I'll just go to the Southern Empire and stay with Aunt Lucretia." I said.
"Well, if you won't talk to me about it, at least talk to your sister." Daelyn said.
"I have many sisters." I noted patting his shoulder.
I went to my father's church, and saw Nia within. She often was here. She looked at me briefly, then headed to get my father. I went right back out and hid amongst some barrels around the back of our house. Before long, my father leaned over a Boulder, looking down at me.
"Do you want to come inside?" He asked.
"Not really, no." I said, sighing.
"So you wish to.. stay hiding in the barrels? Would you like your dinner here as well?" Dad asked.
"I was thinking about staying with Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Phintias for a while." I said.
"And why would you want to do that?" Dad asked.
"Because in twenty years they won't remember me. And maybe I could try again." I answered.
"And why would you need them to forget you?" Dad asked.
"Because of the massive amount of stupidity that has been pervasive amongst the people. Yet another slaughter occurred, Dad, and I'll have a reputation because of it." I said.
"If you're sure.. would you like to head in and have dinner first before you head out on your big trip?" He asked.
"I know it's not a secret that we're vampires. But I think that if I keep trying to adventure here that they'll do the pitch fork and torch thing that you said used to happen before you met Isarial." I said.
"People do have tendencies to.. overreact." Dad said. "It is a rare thing these days to find competent adventures."
"It is, Dad, but you know the survivors are the ones who are to blame." I said.
"It's very hard to blame the dead. They don't react to yelling." Dad said.
"Or to their head being dropped." I said.
"No, I suppose they wouldn't. Sounds like a terrible time you had." Dad said.
"It's all it's been. So I can either go solo, or go visit with my Aunt." I said.
"I'm sure they would all love to see you. I would certainly prefer it over you going solo adventuring." Dad said.
"You were along a long time and you're ok." I pounted out.
"I was very much not ok back then. Nearly died several times." Dad said.
It was true he didn't like reminders of his past, "But isn't that because you got involved with people?"
"Yes. But I wouldn't change it." Dad said.
I sighed and stood, stretching to wrap my arms around my Dad's neck, hugging him. "I'll come inside, Dad."
"Good. Let's go get you some supper." Dad said. He hugged me back, picking me up over the barrels and setting me down.
I went inside with him. When my Mom saw us she cheerfully said, "Tried to hide, Aly?"
"Yes, Mom." I said, noting some of my siblings had joined our parents for meals today.
"Happened again?" My half brother, Heath asked.
I stared at Heath for a moment before shrugging and saying, "I think I'll go to my room l now."
Dad cleared his throat. "That's quite enough of that. We are here for supper, not ridicule."
"Sorry, Dad, was just asking." Heather said.
I didn't bother listening. I just went to my room and shut the door carefully. My mom had called my name gently as I went, I didn't pay attention. Heath knocked on my door immediately.
"Aly, I really didn't mean anything bout it this time. It's not your fault, please come back out." He said.
"I really don't want to." I said.
He tried a little more before going back to the dining room. I waited until after they'd cleaned up and Mom had brought a plate to me. She entered without knocking and petted my hair before heading back to my father. I ate my meal, listening to what was going on in the Villa. My parents left the house to quietly to probably discuss me.
I took the opportunity to clean them after my meal, then pack a few clothes and my weapons and sneak off. It was much more difficult to accomplish with the amount of people that lived in the Villa. I headed towards the West Coast, crossing the glass mess Asmodeus had once made, turning South. Just around Dawn, I spotted a scaled person fighting near some cliffs.
I climbed up the side of the cliffs to get a better look at the fight. It was one lizard against a group of Meazels. The Meazels, I knew, were just monsters. The lizard I was pretty unfamiliar with. It was dressed, though, so I figured the good result of helping is saving a person.. the bad side is that it could be a monster race, too. And not friendly.
Still, I attacked the Meazels from behind. One be one, until they were dead, or running away. The lizard didn't seem to like them escaping, but didn't try and chase them. Instead, looked me over. Not that I could read it's expression. He was a red lizard with a large sword.
He made an odd sound, that may have been a laugh? "Hello. I am Biter. It's good to meet you. You are a good fighter. Would you like to fight me? I will even wave the tradition of eating the loser."
"Er. Hi, I am a type of biter.. My name is Alyssa.. I don't want to fight you, though if you try to eat me, I will eat you." I said.
He made that sound again. "I'm climbing this mountain because I have heard of great fights up here. What about you?"
"I am going to a friend's house. It's dangerous up there." I said.
"Ah. Good!" Biter said.
"Not good. If you annoy Isarial, he will kill you." I said.
"I do not go to annoy, I go to fight." He said.
"He's a hundred and five years old, built Hearthstone Town when he was five and is widely responsible for most of the technology we have." I informed him. "He is a scary man."
"I have never fought someone so old. And I have never heard of this Hearthstone. You make this more intriguing as you continue." Biter said.
I sighed. "Well, he probably won't fight you. Either way, I'm going now. My parents might be looking for me."
"And why are you fleeing from them? Are you running from a challenge?" He asked.
"No, they don't want me adventuring by myself. But every group so far has died terrible deaths." I sighed.
"Then they were weak. Very simple." Biter said.
I frowned. "Do you have medicine for your wounds?"
He flipped his bag around and showed me the contents. It was brimming with medical supplies. "I was given this. I have no idea how to use any of it."
" I can tend you, then. I promise I won't bite." I said.
"That would be appreciated, but.. I am not sure if I would feel your bite anyways." Biter said.
"You would." I said. Taking his bag and having him sit. Then I began dressing his wounds.
Once I finished he said, "Thanks. I am ready for another fight."
"You should rest." I replied. Noting he didn't have much in the way of supplies. "Are you well?"
"I am full of energy and ready for combat. Though a little.. hungry." Biter said.
"Well, Isarial will have food." I sighed. I led the lizard up the mountain. His claws helped him with the climbing. "Don't you ache?"
"Fiercely. But I consider it a handicap to my enemies." He said.
"You're gonna die." I said, annoyed.
"That is possible. But at least I won't be bored." Biter said.
"Bored or not, you can fight better if you rest and heal." I said. I finally was seeing the walls of Isarial's keep.
"You know, you are right. I do fight better once I am rested." He said.
"Ha! Finally a small victory!" I said, nearly as boisterous as my Eladrin mother for a moment.
"You see? You want me well rested to fight!" Biter said.
"Prolly not. No." I said, I could smell blood. "Smells like Isarial has bad company."
"Hah. Well, then, we should get up there before the fight is over." Biter said, picking up his pace towards the keep.
I followed, though I knew it'd be fine by the time we got there. In fact, as we reached the wall, and I directed us towards the gate, a body was hurled down towards us. It narrowly missed hitting Biter. I pulled him a little closer to the wall, just barely in time. It was definitely a troll.
"I wonder if it's still alive." Biter said.
I looked at the body, pulling Jaime's sword from it. "Definitely not. It's scorched."
"Well, let's go see if there's any more laying around." Biter said, heading for the gate.
I sighed and went with him, around and through the gate. Isabel was perched on the edge of the wall to the left, the right side was where the troll was thrown from. Jaime stood near that side and Isarial was in the center with one of his grandchildren, and a great grandchild.
Isarial looked towards us. "Alyssa. Good to see you."
"I guess. Can you send me elsewhere? Like the Southern Empire?" I asked.
He frowned. "To visit Phintias and Lucretia?"
" ..Yes." I said. "But it doesn't have to be directly to them."
"Uh-huh. I can send you to their house, or leave you here." Isarial said.
"House then." I replied.
He persed his lips, before shrugging and beginning to draw a glyph. "What's with the lizard?"
Biter stood upright brightly. "Hello! I am Biter. I have been told not to fight you. It's conflicting."
"Lizardfolk. Essentially an ignorant scaled leonin. Can you beat a dragon?" Isarial asked.
"I have not tried." He said.
"What's a human compared to a dragon?" Isarial said.
"Depending on the human, either a snack or a fair fight." Biter answered.
"Anyways, I have no intention to fight you." Isarial said, as he finished the glyph.
"That is unfortunate. But I was asked to not fight you anyways, so that works out." Biter said.
"Do you see that target by the gate?" Isarial asked.
He looked. "Yes, I can see it."
"It can rate your strength. Go punch it." Isarial said.
"Well that sounds interesting." Biter said, going over to it and attempting to do as Isarial said. It vanished before he could touch it and he hit the solid stone wall. It was now to the left of where he'd tried to hit it at. He looked at it. "It's fast. A better challenge!"
He immediately began chasing it. I looked at Isarial. "He is in considerable pain." I said.
"You're very like your father." Isarial responded, snapping his fingers. The target, which was actually a mimic, froze. "Come here, Nugget." The mimic lost shape and came over to Isarial. "I tamed it. It likes being outside."
"I thought they were not tameable." I said.
"You can tame anything you can feed. They are not domesticatable." Isarial said. "Like Jaime."
Biter looked defeated. He couldn't punch the target since it'd morphed and ran away. Isarial called Biter over. Once he'd approached, Isarial healed him. A skill I'd forgotten Isarial even had.
"My appreciation. I am ready to fight at maximum capability." Biter said.
"Anyways. I'll send you through and let your parents know I did." Isarial said. "We both know you're their baby."
"Dad knows." I said.
"Are you going with her? If not, though I doubt you'd survive, you can go towards the top to a plateau where a revenant dwells." Isarial said.
"I have not fought a revenant. What is it?" Biter asked.
"It is a knight that has unfinished business in this world. It's an undead creature." Isarial said.
"Certainly sounds like a good fight." Biter said.
"It was. Almost cut my in half once." Isarial said.
Biter thought on that for a moment. "And you're heading for the Southern Empire, I haven't fought anything there before."
"Have you heard of vampires?" Isarial asked.
"No. Is it something I can fight?" He asked.
"It's a powerful undead that feeds on blood of people." Isarial said.
"So I have nothing to fear. I an not people." Biter said.
"You are a humanoid. That's what vampires feed on." I said.
"Well, if they beat me in a fight then I have no right to deny their feeding. Why do you ask?" Biter asked.
"Probably because I am a vampire." I said.
"Well, you haven't tried to suck my blood. Does that mean I taste bad? I wonder.." biter said.
"Isarial does smell more appealing than you do, but it's more or less because I prefer to eat cooked food." I said.
"Well, that's unfortunate. Raw food kick quite the punch." Biter said.
"Either way, now that you know Alyssa is of a monster race, do you want to go to the Southern Empire, she will be going directly to her Uncle's house, and he is the greatest threat that exists to my knowledge." Isarial said.
"I would like to go there very much, yes." Biter said.
So Isarial activated the portal. And we went through to my Uncle's house. My uncle had felt Isarial's magic connect and had come to greet his visitor with my Aunt and a couple cousins in tow. I hugged my aunt and uncle, giving my uncle a firm squeeze.
"You're Dad is very worried, do you wanna talk or exercise?" Lucretia asked. "I would like if you head out, if you'll continue checking in here."
"I'd rather exercise. I did plan to head out. Isarial might need a pep talk, Uncle Phintias. He's got dark circles again and is bullying trolls with Jaime and Isabel." I said.
"Alright. He always seems to enjoy my pep talks. Or at least I do." Phintias said.
I grinned and after the briefest conversation, a few cousins and I headed out. Biter followed us out and was taking in the sights of the city, until he wondered off. I heard rumors of a dungeon while we were walking around, and I told my cousins I'd join the guild, and see them later.
They weren't going to tell me any different, that was for our parents to do. So I went to the guild and did their tests, and got my id card. Alyssa Acheron, E rank adventurer of the Guilded Dragons. It was a little annoying to be back to the bottom rung, but that was just how it had to be.
Due to my skill set, I pretty much immediately got paired with a group of people. A paladin, a fighter, a mage, and a wizard. They'd also already selected a dungeon they wanted to raid. So after getting some supplies, I went with them. The travel to the dungeon took a week. The week had very little combat in it, though the group seemed to like my lack of need to sleep.
When I was asked about why I don't need sleep, I showed them my ears and explained about my Fey mother and Archfey grandmother. That had been enough of an explanation for them until we reached the dungeon. The Paladin, Brock, used his divine sense and detected both Fey and Undead within me.
I explained that my father is a born vampire, and that my mother's side allows me to live without consuming humanoids. When he used zone of truth I reiterated that I do not feed on people, without their permission, and haven't since I was a toddler. The paladin was out voted on keeping me with them, if for nothing else but because of my skills and I hadn't done them harm.
So we camped out in front of the Dungeon over night, and in the morning, we entered. The first two floors of the dungeon were pretty clear, but the third had traps set up, which I stopped Brock from walking into. The following floor was chaos. Traps and enemies. The monsters of the dungeon quickly caught on to me keeping my party members out of traps, and so targeted me.
Brock and the fighter, Craig, used their shields to defend me from projectiles, while the casters, the sorceress Erica, and the wizard Morg, attacked the enemies. I worried myself with the traps. My mother's ability to detect traps if they are near her was really paying off currently. It took two full days to clear this floor, and a day of rest to get to the next floor.
The next floor took a week. I was making sure we harvested everything off the bodies. Isarial, Grandpa, Phintias and Daelyn had drilled it into my head to do so. Stupidly, the others in the group said they weren't interested in what the items could be sold for. I kept it to myself, though.they didn't want it, so I'd sell it all later when I was alone.
We were three weeks in when I recieved a magic item while everyone was asleep. A minute later the item lit up, and when I opened it, my parents image appeared. they looked a little worried, I took a few steps away from my group.
"Hey, Aly. How are you? Are you ok?" Mom asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm exploring a dungeon with people." I said.
"Are these people better than the last groups?" Dad asked.
I hedged. "One is a paladin, but he was out voted. Cause I don't need to sleep and I can detect traps easily."
"So they figured out what you are and decided to keep you in the group? Ok." Dad said.
"Yeah, we traveled for a week to the dungeon and during that time I only disclosed Mom's side, and then once we reached the dungeon Brock-the paladin- used Divine Sense and found out." I explained. "Did the Zone of Truth, too. He wanted me to leave. Anyway, Erica, Morg and I are the damage dealers, and Brock and Craig defend us."
"That is concerning that the one who wanted you out is defending you." Dad said.
"Well, I guess he mighta got over it cause I kept him from walking into a trap." I shrugged. "I didn't have time to tell Aunt Lucretia that I was heading out. The guild assigned me right away."
"I can let her know." Dad said. "She might very well be trying to get someone to find you."
"Hehe. I got Uncle Phintias to give Isarial a pep talk. He looked really.. tired. And was toying with trolls." I said.
"Perhaps it's time for another visit. It's been a while since I've seen my old friend." Dad said.
"I think he'd like that. He only gave me the option of staying or going straight to Uncle Phintias' house. Oh. I saw a lizard man whose mind is all fight." I rambled.
"A lizard folk?" Mom asked. "They tend to be tribal."
"Yeah, it's not often you find them wondering around by themselves." Dad said.
"He was. His name is biter. He said he'd wave the eating the loser part of challenging me if we fought. But he was pretty beat up already." I said.
"What an odd fellow." Dad said. "Where did you run into him?"
"You remember where Jack's place was? Just south of there." I said.
"I haven't heard of a Lizardfolk tribe there, but they might have moved in." Dad said.
I shrugged. "He came here with me, but wondered off."
"I wonder where he'll end up." Dad commented.
"I dunno. Isarial pranked him, though." I said.
"Oh? How did he prank him? Did he leave with all his limbs?" Dad asked.
"Well, did you know Isarial has a pet mimic?" I asked.
"Well, no, but that sounds like something he'd have." Dad said.
"He told Biter to punch a target, and it would rate his strength, but when Biter tried to punch it, it moved. When I scolded him saying Biter was in pain already, he made it stop being a target and come to him." I told him.
"That sounds very interesting." Dad said.
"Isarial said I am very like you, Dad." I said.
"I wonder what he meant by that." Dad said.
"I dunno." I shrugged.
"Aside from appearance, Aly is a sweety, just like you." Mom told him.
"Well, then, I suppose it was a compliment." Dad said.
"I don't know how long this dungeon will take.." I said.
"Unfortunately, there is no way to tell." Dad said.
"I can say, they have already ran a little low on food. I've been harvesting the monster bits and adding to their food that way." I said.
"Then it sounds like it's time to end the dungeon dive." Dad said.
"That's been vetoed." I said.
"Well, will just have to see what happens, I suppose.. we could send you food." Dad said.
"It's ok. But if I end up needing help, I will call, now that I can." I said.
"Obviously, call us whenever you need us." Dad said.
I looked around, "I will."
We talked a little more before ending the contact. Erica was the first one to wake up. Shortly followed by the rest of the group. We had a small breakfast before getting back to exploring. After another month, tempers were flaring within the group. I'd managed to scrounge up edible plants to go with the meat I took from the creatures, but the dark and fights had been wearing on the group.
I'd been talking to Erica, the only other girl in the group, when I sensed a trap nearby, too late. I'd just told them to stop, to wait, when Craig triggered the trap. It swept him to the right, Brock to the left, Erica and Morg were thrust forward, and a hole opened beneath me, dropping my down a long slide. By the time I'd stopped sliding down, I had a long cut from my ankle to my arm.
I lay still in pain for a moment. Stunned. Then I felt something foreign and warm touch me. I turned to look at what it was, and saw an unknown man preparing needle and thread. I started to ask what he was doing, when he began sewing my wound. It hurt.. a lot. My throat was burning before I really registered it. I looked at the man who was helping me, and was a little taken aback.
This man was a vampire. I could smell it. "I can't believe they fell for that trap. I mean. Come on, it was one of the most obvious." He said.
"It wasn't within my range." I said slowly, trying to not slur my words.
He looked up at me, "Oh, I didn't know you were awake."
"I can't sleep?" I said, confused by his words.
"Sleep, no. But temporarily knocked out, yes. And you just cost me five hundred gold." He said.
I groaned, and took the item my parents sent to me. I activated it. As soon as I saw my parents, my already pale mother blanched. As did my father.
"Are you ok?" Dad asked.
"No." I said. "Vampire stitching me, though."
I could see my mother casting a spell, Dad said, "I am going to grab the emergency bad. You're already contacting her, we will be there shortly."
The connection ended, and I looked at the vampire that was dutifully stitching my wound. "Where did the others end up?"
"Two of them would be in puzzle rooms, one would be fighting a low level monster, and one may be in the dungeon dungeon." He said.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
"Cause it's either stitch you up, or leave you to bleed out on the floor. It'd be terrible for a beginners dungeon to just begin killing people suddenly." He said.
I closed my eyes, feeling the sting of the needle and the tug of the thread. Moments passed, just a few breaths, when my grandparents and parents arrived.
The Vampire looked up at everyone, needle in hand and said, "Well, hello. You are all a bit over qualified to be in this dungeon."
"If you would step away from my daughter, I will help her." Dad said.
The vampire took out a pair of scissors, snipped the thread, and took a step back. "She is all yours."
My father partly picked me up, and gave me his wrist to allow me to feed on him like when I was a small child. The massive wound began to heal as blood began to seep out again. I only took enough from him to kickstart the healing.