Note-This story is AU, the characters are OOC, and this story will NOT follow canon. Elements of canon will be extracted, but canon will not be what this story is about.
Note: found a good cover image for my fic, all rights reserved.
Count.
Chapter I.
Many say that children are innocent in their parents' mistakes. In Naruto's case… he wasn't only cursed with unimaginable demonic power, given to him by the beast, sealed inside of him, but also curse of his vampiric blood, inherited by him, through his terrifying grandfather, Vlad von Carstein.
Many years ago, Vlad tried to create the species of Vampires, who will lack the weaknesses of the normal ones, but will keep all their strength. He tried countless rituals and finally used them on a woman and himself. Old Vampire Lord selected a natural breeding for this cause, desiring a true heir for Von Carstein line. However, the child, born from that union was absolutely normal.
In fury, Von Carstein casted the spell that was supposed to rip child into shreds, but winds of Warp were always unpredictable. Instead of dying, child appeared in another place. There he was taken into the orphanage and then, much later he will become a great warrior of nearly unmatched skill.
Minato. Namikaze Minato, that will be his name. Unknowingly, his true name was Minato Von Carstein. Even if Minato didn't inherit powers of Vlad, experiment didn't fail, next generation was successful where the previous failed. Naruto, Minato's son, unknowingly to his parents, was born with powers of Von Carstein's line, just as Vlad wanted. Human and vampire, both yet neither. He had all the strength and absolutely no weaknesses.
Except one flaw. His thirst. Thirst for blood didn't disappear and with sealing of giant demon in his gut, his father just increased it. Vlad started to sense his progeny from time to time, but he failed to understand where he was and from where the call came, so the first twelve years of his life Naruto suffered in Konoha.
However, later, he will remembered them as the brightest days of his life. Because, no matter how high the wall between him and society was, he was still surrounded by humans and not night predators. Everything, however, will change, as Vlad will take him.
During twelve years in Konoha, Naruto endured the lone fate, forced upon him by his father and as he will later say, it prepared him to even loner existence of Vampire Lord. During his early years, he managed to make a first step to recognition that he so desired and deserved.
He saved countries, fought enemy ninja, gained friends, but as some people say, life is like zebra, and Naruto's life reached it's black line and hell, it was really long.
First call was defection of his so-called rival and best friend, Sasuke. Group of genins under Shikamaru's command sent to return him back… He was among them. He was the only one, who managed to reach Sasuke. After the long exhausting battle he prevailed due to his completely awakened blood.
However when Kakashi arrived, there was only Sasuke, who was unconsciously floating on the water.
Naruto on the other hand, summoned by Vlad, through the teleportation circle, became his apprentice, before he was properly trained and introduced to other 'relatives'. Vlad's sons-in-darkness were classical vampires. Arrogant, bloodthirsty, too ambitious rulers of the necromancy.
They all wanted to create the Empre of the Dead. Well, all, except Konrad, he just wanted to butcher everything in sight. Naruto became powerful warrior and mastered arts of necromancy, however, unlike his relatives he just disappeared on the territory of Empire.
Unknown to anyone, he lived through all Vampire Wars, fighting as mercenary against undead. During the reign of Karl Franze, he became the leader of mercenary band. His black knights, created by black sorcery and necromancy, quickly became a feared heavy cavalry unit.
He was there, when Emperor the young Emperor called to arms and marched to the north. Karl was very… enthusiastic man when it came to battle and he never let his enemies do as they please if he had a say in it.
Conquest after the conquest, battle after the battle, victory after victory. Karl Franze bested every foe, who had thrown himself against him or Empire. Even if he was always a supporter of peace, there were still plenty of those, who wanted to destroy Empire.
Countless conflicts gave Naruto fame and money. Even if he was considered a mercenary, he had answered Empire's call much more eagerly even if he was promised less money. He was also known for the fact that his small regiment managed to overcome enemies much greater in numbers than his own. Some whispered about sorcery, some, that he wasn't even human, but both sided agreed that it was good to have him and his men on the Empire side.
During his travels he had also acquired a strange ally, female Druchii. It was during the times when he traveled the world, somewhere after the Third Vampire War. He went north and naturally came upon something really interesting Group of Chaos Dwarves , who guarded some kind of cage, hidden by cloth.
Of course, slaying followers of Chaos was always a big plus to your karma and a good deed in eyes of all good deities. So Naruto just slayed the Dwarves and ripped the cloth from the cage. To his surprise, his eyes met the equally surprised and scared eyes of beautiful elven maiden. Correction, a Druchii woman.
She asked him if she wanted a company in his travel and for the first time in his life, Naruto didn't know what to say to this simple question. Nevertheless, he desired company and said 'yes'. Thus she followed him, loyally and wordlessly, something that he wasn't expected to see from Druchii.
Maybe it was all the play, maybe… but until she will not betray him, he will not cut her head off, but hours turned into days, days into months and months into years and she still was his most loyal supporter.
He never asked how she got herself into the situation that led to their meeting, but she once told that her family deemed her weak and the head of her family ordered her death. That's how he received his own sorceress and one of his most trusted allies.
However, like all von Carsteins he started to thirst for more. His current style of life gave him everything he needed, money, women, food. However, in his dreams he saw himself as ruler of his own Mark, as Elector Count in Empire, with one of the two vacant Runefangs in his hands.
Naruto had enough examples of his wayward kin to understand that illegal and forceful ways to position of power will not give him desired throne. During his travels, through completing several tasks for the Emperor's family, or various Electors and their families, he managed to get himself enough of a good credit to be recognized as non-hostile vampire, very much like Lady Dieudonne and receive a right to live among humans.
Of course, Templars didn't like this.
However, Naruto managed to deal with such problem. Over several centuries of his existence, he managed to forge some 'alliances' that helped him during the tough times. His connections with some influential and powerful lectors gave him so needed freedom, for some... services.
After all, when you kill… a vampire, for example, his or her nest nearly always declare the vengeance on those, who did it and usually it ended in massive raid on territories of human kingdoms.
However if vampire slayed vampire… it was just the fight for the territory for others. Nothing big. So Naruto slayed the other vampires, thus keeping his territory clean and getting the Witch Hunters from his tail.
So… right now, marching to the throne room of the Emperor himself, he was questioning himself what caused the sudden call of his services…
Dark lands. Plain of Zharrduk.
Mordain the Headtaker was in a way, a dwarf of his word. Why in a way? He was a Chaos Dwarf, but even in their society, loyalty to your word still was valued. Moreover, a man of his position must show that he always keeps his promises. Especially if he promised to make someone's life miserable.
His benefactor, Gakroth, one of the sorcerers of Chaos, who served as priest of Hashut, struck a deal with Malekith, Witch King of Naggoroth, for slaves they will trade their heavy weapons, which fallen prince wanted to use against the elves of Ulthuan.
It was no secret, how much the elves despised the dwarves and everything connected to them. However, Malekith's hatred to High Elves overpowered his hatred to bearded midgets. Thus, he agreed to trade slaves for weapons of the Chaos Dwarves. Deal was highly profitable for both sides.
However, there was one part of their deal, written in fine print: Malekith ordered his grandniece to be given to the dwarves, to be tortured for disobedience and show of weakness. Girl secretly helped slaves. Tolerating something like this in his family? It was beyond Malekith's understanding of the world and family values.
However, the brat disappeared from the caravan, with all her guards were mercilessly slaughtered. Dwarf showed his tusks and growled. Now it was his turn to deal with the girl and her mysterious protector, after all, if you want the job done, do it yourself.
After brief praying to Hashut, Chaos Dwarf went to gather provision and men, his path led into the last place, where the damned druchii was seen. Empire.
Altdorf. Emperor's chambers.
Naruto knelt in front of the man, to whom he swore his allegiance many years ago.
"Naruto… old friend. Please, rise." Said Karl Franz, current Emperor of the Human Empire. "It is unbecoming for a man, who saved my life several times, to kneel in front of his friend." Said Karl, stretching his arm and raising his friend to his feet.
"It's normal for a vassal to show respect for his Emperor." Countered Naruto. "I'm loyal to Empire and you, my Emperor."
Karl Franz turned to the window and started to walk to the window. "Were you successful?" asked he.
"Yes." Answered Naruto. "I did as we agreed. Many years ago, Emperor Ludwig decided that fighting undead shall be prerogative of the undead. As Elector Count of Reikland he ordered me to create an order of elite undead warriors. I did as he ordered. Thousand warriors. Black knights, whose martial skills are ensured by countless soul imprints gathered by me."
"You took the souls of men?" instantly turned to him Karl Franz.
"Souls? Sigmar forbid, no! I collected soul imprints, taking copies of their skills, leaving their souls intact. Of course, I didn't hunt them down, they hunted me. Therefore, I took powers from greatest knights of Bretonia and professional vampire hunters."
Emperor scratched his chin.
"You will lead them into battle. By the way, how do they look?"
"Animated armor. Basically, it's my variant of magical golems."
"Hmm… maybe we will be able to use it in new war." Said the Emperor. "Recently Empire suffered from the increase of Greenskins' raids. Grimgor Ironhide leads his Black Orcs to our borders, even now he assaults our keeps. Take your order…"
"Of Black Chalice."
"Of Black Chalice, and get them to the borders. Countless Knight Orders of Empire had already arrived to the Black Fire Pass. You will go there and you will assist Empire's army. Your goal is to prevent the Orchish WAAAAGH, from passing to the Moot."
Naruto also walked to the window and looked down, at the noisy streets of the Altdorf. "Will we receive any reinforcements?"
"Moot will send their representatives and rangers, we can form recon divisions from them."
"That we can do." Said Naruto. "When Reiksmarshal will arrive there alongside Reiksguard?"
Situation on south was dire. Since other conflicts thinned all reserves of manpower that Empire had, Karl Franz was forced to spare small forces from each garrison of other keeps and Empire's cities to protect the Moot, that provided provision for nearly entire Empire.
"Kurt will get there as fast as possible." Assured him the Emperor. Naruto shrugged. He didn't like the Reiksmarshal and the feeling was mutual. Only the fact that they both loyally served the Emperor stopped them from fighting each other.
However, he was in good terms with Mad Count and this fact infuriated Reiksmarshal even more than the fact that in his presence was a vampire, who he couldn't behead.
"So, I will go first and Kurt will go just behind me." Finished Naruto. "Anything else?"
"No. Try to not let them enter the territory of the Moot."
Moot. Several days later.
Naruto beheaded another orc and commanded his forces to take the defensive formation behind him. When he arrived to the Balck Fire Pass, Black Orcs had already managed to destroy the shattered forces of Empire. Moreover, they somehow managed to force several bands of Beastmen to join their cause.
Now, shattered army of the Empire struggled against two forces that thirsted their destruction. Originally, their plan wasn't that bad, but Beastmen managed crush their plans. Naruto was ripped out of his thoughts by loud roar.
His sword, Blood Drinker, flashed under the faint light of the moon, beheading the charging beastman. Suddenly Naruto heard the sound of horn and he sighed in relief.
"Helborg! Never thought that I will glad to see you, but… well… I'm really glad to see you." Screamed Naruto kicking another beastman into his chest and with satisfaction listening to cracking of his bones.
"Later, pale boy!" screamed Kurt. "Where the hell is the army?!"
"We are the army, Mustache!" answered Naruto, continuing to cut down the Beastmen. "Greenskins managed to persuade the Beastmen to take their side. Those bastards hunted down the Empire's forces… I saw countless altars with helms of our commanders. Maybe there are still those who fight against them, but all I can be sure of… that there are your forces and mine."
Kurt sighed, Beastmen retreated under the combined assault of the Black Chalice and Reiksguard.
"So…" asked Helborg. "You are here longer than us, how did it happen? I need details."
Naruto looked around, still unsure that Beastmen left them alone. "I arrived when everything was already lost. Orcs invaded the Moot, Beastmen carried the helms and skulls of our men on their banners. I started to hunt them down, also searching for survivors, but as you can see… for no avail. Moreover, I still have yet to see any Black Orc."
"Not even one?" asked Helborg.
"Not even one." Nodded Naruto. "It looks like whatever force made it through the Black Fire Pass, Black Orcs stayed behind and it is rather unusual."
"I would rather say: troubling." Noted Kurt, checking how easy his Runefang gets out of its sheath. They heard sounds of battle at the same moment and touched the horses with spurs at the same time. After several minutes of non-stop riding, they saw a surrounded squad of Imperial Longswords.
First survivors that both parties met. Without a doubt, these people passed through a lot, and they also were invaluable sources of information. After they finished patching up the survivors, Naruto and Helborg had finally found out what happened. Somehow, Greenskins and Beastmen knew, exactly where the Empire forces were gathering.
Someone sold them up.
Commander of the Greatswords had also informed them, that there were other surviving warriors nearby. Several more squads of the Greatswords, Pistoliers and survivors of the Knightly Orders. Helborg and Naruto managed to gather the survivors and kick the Beastmen out of the occupied territories.
However, the Greenskins occupied keeps, near the Black Fire Pass and still managed to get the reinforcements through mountains with no effort. Naruto and Helborg were greatly troubled by the fact that Black Orcs were still absent in the Orchish horde.
Fortunately, Moot continued to support them, so death from starvation wasn't something that awaited them in near future. They had sent the runners to the city of Altdorf, in hopes that the Emperor will send them either reinforcements or war machines to deal with the walls of the keeps.
Five days later, Naruto had finally lost his patience, he ordered Empire's forces to wait in the forest and when his knights gained attention of the Greenskins, he climbed the wall and, after slaying all guards, opened the gates of the keep.
Empire's army smashed the Orcs and invaded the keep that was taken from them nearly a month ago. Naruto had spent another month there, alongside Reiksmarshal, rebuilding the keep that protected the Black Fire Pass and cleaning the territory from the last Orc warbands.
Black Orcs didn't pass the mountains and that sprung the Reiksmarshal's paranoia. By his orders, Naruto returned to the Altdorf and went to the meeting with the Emperor.
Empire of Man. Great city of Altdorf. Royal chambers.
When Naruto heard the loud screams from the cabinet of his Emperor, he heard loud female voice. Realization struck him like lightning and not caring about his image, hid in the darkest corner, behind the massive knight armor.
When he heard, how rustling of long female dress disappeared somewhere away, he turned into a thick black mist and got inside Karl Franz's cabinet, he had found his Emperor pouring large glass with some strong alcohol of dwarven brewing.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me that she is here?!" asked he.
"You would have left me to suffer alone, if I told."
Maria Holswig Schliestein. Fourth child of the Karl Franz. Only daughter of his. Always unruly, rebellious and hyperactive, Naruto acted as her swordsmanship teacher, when she was younger. However, when young princess hit puberty, started problems.
At first she wanted her Naruto as her official lover. When she received a polite decline, Maria asked her father to speak with Naruto. After two men spoke, Maria was sent away from the Altdorf, to female monastery. She was followed by countless female teachers, whose prerogative was to make a proper lady out of her.
Unfortunately, Maria had other plans. She denied their attempts and focused on military training and science. Moreover, to worry of her teachers, young princess spent too much time in company of females, rather than males.
Moreover, princess started to gather around herself a group of loyal supporters. Slowly, but surely, group of different specialists turned into an army. Emperor bothered the fact that his unruly daughter gathered so many forces and denied him any kind of explanation.
"Yes. I know I'm a jerk." Said the Emperor, catching Naruto's annoyed gaze. "Unfortunately, it comes with a job. Nevertheless, my dear daughter isn't the cause of you being here. Your annoying relatives had once again decided that powers in the Sylvania are shared unfairly."
"And?"
"Normally I wouldn't have cared, but my spies report that there is a vampire, who claims to be of famous von Carstein bloodline."
"There are countless vampires of that bloodline. Moreover there are many imposters."
"The one, we are interested in, is calling himself Mannfred and he looks exactly like the bald bastard is portrayed in historical chronicles."
"And you need me to go there and check, if it is truly uncle?"
Emperor sighed. True surname of his trusted champion was one of the guarded secrets, even his name was changed to Nathaniel and only Emperor knew that his true name was Naruto von Carstein. Instead of answering Emperor silently nodded.
Sylvania. Week later.
Naruto, atop his nightmare, looked at the battlefield from above. His cavalry followed his orders and destroyed another horde of skeletons. By the time he had arrived to Sylvania, Mannfred and it really was his uncle-in-darkness, already controlled all East Sylvania. Other notable Vampire counts weren't so eager to follow him and waited till his battle against High Necromancer Ceilig von Kruger.
Mannfred, with his charisma slowly was winning sympathies of his fellow brothers and sisters of the night and his talents on the battlefield, quickly raised his popularity. Son-in-darkness of Vlad von Carstein was gathering armies of undead and forces of Kruger didn't manage to hold his unrelenting rage.
Right now, Mannfred was dealing with forces of Empire, stationed near Hel Fenn, leaving East Sylvania without his attention and this fact was used by Naruto to the fullest. His forces were mobile, even if much smaller than Mannfred's, he still managed to destroy many infrastructures that provided his relative with riches that he wanted to use in future war with Empire.
How did he find out this valuable information?
Several bold Vampire Lords dared to challenge him. Their heads soon were attached to his nightmare's saddle. Now, wherever he went, clip-clop sound of attached skulls followed him. Also captured Vampire lords told him that Mannfred wanted some artifact, which might will let him rise countless undead soldiers without enormous amount of warp-stone.
What was really interesting, the artifact was actually a holy object, powerful enough to clean up the entire territory of Sylvania from curse of undeath and curing the earth. Such power was exactly what Naruto needed, to deal with Mannfred. So he followed Mannfred's agents to the Kingdom of Bretonia, in hopes to get the power of the artifact for himself.
Bretonnia. Chapel of the Lady of the Lake.
"Onward men! Onward! Protect the inner chambers of the chapel!" Guiche de Boute was one of the many Grail Knights, who protected the chapel of the Lady. This chapel held the piece of the map, written by the hand of the Gilles le Bretone himself. It will show the path to the domain of the Lady, filled with artifacts of godly power.
However, such immense power can be used in both ways. Those, who wished to use it for evil, finally came to their lands. Guiche traveled for a lot of time and he instantly recognized their opponent. When he recognized them, blood ran cold in his veins.
Vampires. Scourge of Sylvania.
Warriors, clad in bloody red armor, ornamented with different images of bats and leather wings. Vampire knights. Just the right guys to get his day any better, if he will not die in battle he will certainly be turned into a snuck, or risen as undead.
Suddenly he noticed that among the red-armored figures, there were others, clad in armor of Bretonnia's Grail Knights. Betrayers. They sold their friends, comrades and oaths for some sort of fake immortality. He pitied them, but it didn't mean that he will stay his hand.
Knight blocked another strike with his sword and hit smiling bastasrd's face, beating out his fangs, with sharp side of his shield. However, he was just one man; other fellow brothers-in-arms had already fallen in battle.
Soon, swords of his enemies found weak points in his armor and pierced it. From immense pain, last knight fell on the floor.
"Quick! Secure the map! Master Mannfred will have our heads if we will stall the progress of the mission even for a second." It was strange for vampires to not even drink the blood of the fallen. Guiche, however was in too much pain to care about it.
His head hit the stone floor and darkness finally claimed him.
…
Naruto finally reached the chapel. Heh had lost his steed, when he passed the border. All this time he had followed the tracks of the vampires from Sylvania, but their squad always divided, so Naruto followed the one, who he sensed first. Kulphos von Carstain. He didn't belong to a direct bloodline of von Carstain family, like Naruto and his uncles did, no. Kulphos was one of the many 'distant relatives', cannon fodder and errand boys, whom Mannfred so liked to use.
However, Mannfred always gave his trustworthy champions some perks and Kulphos didn't fail his master, not even once. With his demonic steed, he and his men were part of Mannfred's logistics divisions. Fast as wind the black riders were, but Naruto's nightmare was relentless. Due to him, young lord of the night managed to follow his targets.
However, Kulphos ordered his men to ambush Naruto and in quick battle one of the vampires managed to kill the steed. Forced to walk, Naruto reached the chapel too late. It was already sieged and vampires took what they wanted. However, one of the knights still breathed. It was promisisng. He needed information and he will receive it.
Naruto get the potions out of his bag…
…
Guiche de Boute was a true exemplar of the Grail Knight, because I saved his life, he swore an oath of servitude to Naruto! Creature of the night! Moreover, he didn't feel any kind of deceit from the knight and vampire learnt to trust his six sense.
From the Knight, Naruto had found out about the holy place, where resided the Lady of the Lake, if vampires were heading there, then both of them will just wait for undead there.
"I highly doubt that we will get there in time." Said the knight. "With all due respect, but you had lost too much time, saving my life."
"Ah, Guiche, always a true knight, mission and oath before his personal well-being. Fortunately, you have such awesome suzerain as me. You would have died there, was it naught for my help. So… if you have a plan, please share it with me." Said Naruto.
"There is a witch…" started Guiche.
"Witch?" raised his brow Naruto. "As in real one, or one of those charlatans, who use crystal orbs to fool a common folk to get their money?"
"Real one, sire. She lives in the forest nearby and she has the blessing of the Lady. People say that she has a way to get into her realm, a backdoor, in a way…"
"Then why didn't vampires consider attacking her?" asked Naruto. "She is a common legend around here, isn't she? They would have already heard about her."
"She is powerful. Royarch once sent his best knights to get her out of our lands and none of them have returned, then Lady came and claimed that the witch is under her protection."
"Appearance of the goddess isn't something that we can ignore. Okay, let's see that witch, after all, without horses we will manage to get them only near the border." Said Naruto.
Both warriors slightly changed their way, leaving the road behind, to get further into the heart of the forest. The deeper they came, the stranger was everything around them. Naruto was enem more aware of this fact than sir knight. He felt, how ancient magic filled the air. Magic quite different from the one he used to unleash on his enemies.
He felt it… it was like a shadow. Strangely, for vampire, who was master of shadow and darkness and governed over blood, these shadows seemed somehow alien.
They didn't notice her, until she was so close that Naruto could stretch his hand and touch her.
Naruto expected anything from the witch, but he had never expected her to be this sexy. Moreover, her choice of wardrobe was very… revealing.
Naruto looked into her golden eyes and couldn't move his gaze. Witch also seemed to be somewhat hypnotized by his gaze. Only calm coughing of the knight made them turn in his direction.
"Sir Guiche. Looks like finally keep your promise you did." Witch turned her back to them and and moving her hips walked away, two men followed her. Sometime later all three reached the witch's hut. When they entered, first thing that Naruto noticed was the large mirror.
It had some strange aura, like it was much more than a mirror. Like it was a door, which led… somewhere.
"Do you like it?" asked the witch. "Eye-catching isn't it? At least for those, who knows where they must look."
Naruto took his place behind the table.
"My lord, this is Morrigan, Witch of the Wild. Lady Morrigan this is…"
"Grandson of Vahanesh, I know. Ravens told me, winds of magic roared when you were born. Creature of nether night nor day, Vampire and human, both yet neither." Witch made a pause. "Truly, rewarded will be my long wait."
"Rewarded? Wait? And how the hell do you know the true name of my grandfather?" asked Naruto, trying to find the hilt of his sword.
"Told you I did. Ravens, birds of war told this to me. I'm Witch of the Wild, in my power to order them." Answered Morrigan, "But enough of these silly questions, came here you with certain intention. To lady's temple I can lead you by shortest of ways. Dangerous this path is, but time will it give you that you so sorely lack. In return… of simple task do I ask."
"And what is that 'simple task'?" asked Naruto.
"Very simple it is." Answered Morrigan. "With you I will go. Saw I that my help in future will you require."
Naruto scratched his chin. He knew that witches were rather… strange and always had a hidden agenda, but he will be in profit, if he will get another witch to his side, right now, his druuchi friend is commanding his forces in Sylvania, attacking Mannfred's posts. However, his uncle had too many necromancers and other vampire lords under his command. His army was simply too big for his small knight order.
Of course, his knights were perfect and know he had commander for them, who actually knew what needed to be done, but there were so many undead that they will simply overwhelm Naruto's forces with numbers.
Moreover… he still had a lot of money, thus he can afford himself many additional forces. I form of dogs of war.
"So… how do you plan bring us there?"