Inspectre Online.
Oh yeah! That last chapter came out faster than I expected. I didn't think I'd get it out before Sunday. I'm going to try to get one more before the weekend is over with because we start taking everything down Sunday night and then we're headed for Tennessee! Wooo! Pulaski, Memphis, Lebanon.. Not certain if that's the order we play though.
No promises though. In fact I wouldn't say expect it by then but I may surprise myself? I gotta have sleep tonight though and tomorrow's supposed to be a short day. Combined with me not being certain if I'll have wifi next spot.. Bah.
Edit: Wow I surprised myself. Without sacrificing sleep even! I just hauled ass (and fingers) to get this done. I mean, if I have drive, motivation, and some drinks on hand I can probably throw out a chapter of something in a couple hours. Most of my time spent not writing (like at work) consists of daydreaming and mentally working things out anyway. I have an overactive imagination so I'm always thinking of how something might be played/written out, thinking of other fanfics, where I wanna go with stuff, heck most of the planning is done ahead of time. It's just getting around to actually writing it/having time to write it that's the biggest obstacle.
Review answering time!
At Fate-chan2015: Thanks, and of course I did! She was always slated to come back. I was only teasing about the name thing by the way. Also. *confetti poppers!* My 50th review on this work! Milestones!
At djjohns92: I don't remember Weiss ever saying she was sired, but I could be wrong. I might have missed that when I went back and re-read this story before I started writing new chapters. Which chapter specifically. To answer your question, she was born. I might have made a mistake or worded something wrong there.
Not much else to say at the time of writing this but that might change. For now though, straight on to the story! Strike while the iron (muse) is hot!
Not a thing had changed, nothing was different. The dark mountains were still as imposing as ever and the clouds a blackish purple that forbade the sun to shine on the barren lands underneath them, dust sweeping along with occasional gusts of wind as the two females walked towards the heavens piercing castle at its heart. Well, one was walking and carrying the other inside a frozen mirror that hadn't lost a single sliver since its creation. The creator had made with the utmost certainty that it was not going to melt or be easily damaged. The strange trees and glowing crystals had the black haired girl looking about curiously, her beholder slowly moving the mirror around so she could take it all in.
"Ooh.. Pretty."
"To look at but not to touch. Not unless you want your soul to be sucked into it."
"Eurgh. Pass. ..You know, I knew it'd have to be dark but this place feels kinda empty. What gives?"
"Good question." Weiss said with a small smile. "Although nobody really knows the answer, except maybe my father or the other elders. He wouldn't tell me but I've heard that there used to be a city around the castle ages ago. Though if there was it was very long before my time."
"Huh? What casoh my GOSH that thing is huge!" Ruby exclaimed as the Zahne family castle was put into her field of vision. Or rather, vice versa. "You could stack mansions on mansions inside it.."
"Welcome to a vampire's home. A royal vampire's anyway. Unlike some common newblood we have standards. You'll not catch me sleeping on a box in some empty warehouse or in someone's back yard treehouse."
"Whooooa.. No kidding about the princess part huh?"
Weiss and Ruby continued to make idle chatter, the former speaking of all the things inside that would probably blow her human mind. If the eccentric individuals inside didn't drive it crazy first. Eventually they came upon the drawbridge that lead to the castle courtyard. When she approached it was to the sight of only one dullahan knight this time. The one she didn't mind as much as the other.
"Greetings Princess Zahne! How fare you this eternal night?"
"The same as ever. ..Where is your companion?"
"He fell into the moat again. Fool. Oh, I'm to inform you that your sister and your father have left for Atlas for a time and won't be back until presumably tomorrow." He said with a salute, leaning over to activate the portcullis lift. Weiss nodded and thanked him, hiding the mirror behind her back with the face towards it as she slipped into the interior. A slam signified its dropping back to the bridge and with a sigh she pushed open the door.
"Try not to make yourself noticeable.."
"What? I can behave myself and oh wow that's a lot of knights." Ruby whispered loudly at seeing all of the other undead soldiers. Surprisingly none of the robed figures or their skeletal followers were present today. The only sounds were of clashing steel and iron, no gasps of shock or panicked whispers like from before when Weiss dragged herself in. A few of them also stopped to bow or salute the vampiress as she walked through the courtyard and into the castle itself. Which when she gave her companion a look at the architecture inside she could only marvel at its still relatively solid condition despite its apparent age, as well as the antique decor. "Holy.. How old is this place?"
"At least a few thousand years that I know of."
"Crazy. ..So- Wait. How old are you?"
Her brow twitched, deciding to pretend she didn't hear that question and simply kept on with her little tour bringing attention to things like paintings of old members of the family or tapestries and furniture from long ago eras. They began ascending one of the four spires at some point, that one in particular because it was home to the living and relaxation quarters of some of the Schnee and Zahne family royals. Weiss intended to take Ruby there while hopefully avoiding inquisitive eyes and questions from the others. They could meet and greet later but not right now.
Luckily they managed to reach the princess' own room without interference, her guards.. Strangely absent. Which was cause for only minor alarm since there could be no way an intruder made it through, from the inside or out. Perhaps they were changing shifts or performing an errand. That too was a bit of a blessing she supposed, unlocking and slipping inside her room before closing the door shut and re-locking it.
"This is your room?!" And she flinched at the sudden outburst.
"Shush! Keep your voice down! Just because nobody can see or smell you right now doesn't mean they can't hear you! This place is full of vampires if you didn't already know that!" Weiss whispered hoarsely, ears and nose twitching a bit to check if any happened to be in the tower. ..It seemed mostly clear so with that she let out a long sigh and walked over to her bed.
"The drapes! The pillows! The carpet! The dressers! The.. Everything! I could probably stretch out all the way and not touch either side of that bed!"
"Perks of being royal blood." She stated with a smirk, arms crossed and her chest puffed out a bit as she stood Ruby's ice mirror up on the nightstand and sat on the edge of said bed. "I take it you've never seen something like this before?"
"Well duh. We're not rich. I mean we're not poor either, I guess kinda in the middle but this.. Jeez." The girl's silver eyes slowly took in everything she could see, fascinated by it all. Weiss really was in a class beyond her own. She felt a little daunted by the display to be honest.
"I must admit I am rather proud of my lineage, although I prefer my true home back in Atlas. Now that is something you'd definitely drop your jaw to if you saw it. This by comparison.. Well, it suits me at the least."
"I bet it does." Ruby laughed. "I mean you've got everything. That closet is probaby loaded with clothes-"
"Top to bottom and side to side."
"-and that bathroom-"
"Very open."
"-and you even have your own skeleton butler?"
"We have maids but, wait where-"
"Hi!"
"KYAA."
Weiss jumped up from the bedside, clutching her chest with one hand and keeping herself balanced against the nightstand with the other as something spoke right next to her head. Just as Ruby had said, a literal skeleton was sitting on the bed next to her. Or had been before she almost flew out of her skin getting away from it. Its bones were clearly old and worn, cracked in some places and chipped in others. It had no hair or nails and creaked with every movement as it waved at the panting princess. She shot it back a look that could bore into steel before growling.
"I utterly despise when people sneak up on me! Who do you belong to? How did you even get in here? And why should I not just dismantle you and toss you out the window into the moat?"
"I'm a free agent, the door was already open, and because I wanna make you an offer you just can't refuse!"
Weiss and Ruby both shared a skeptical and amused look respectively. So here came the eccentric ones..
"Erm. Who are you?" The vampiress asked. With a few clanks that looked to be laughter it/he from the tone of its voice would stand up, crossing its arms over its chest.
"Of course you wouldn't know of me. I've been buried away underneath the castle for so long my name has been erased from history. I am.. Tarx'agilithinx Malforbius the Malignant Doom!" The skeleton exclaimed, throwing its hands into the air as a single bolt of lightning cracked outside rather loudly for dramatic effect.
Or it was just conveniently beginning to rain as the sudden and gradually increasing pitter patter of water droplets on the stone walls would indicate. Over Ruby's snickering and snorting or 'snerking' Weiss rolled her eyes.
"I.. Very highly doubt that. Seriously."
"Benny Lava?"
"That's so old."
"Meowburt?"
"Wha?"
"Does it really matter? What's important is.. This little one here. Is there some particular reason you're holding onto this soul?" The skeletal one asked, peeking past her shoulder while leaning aside at the ice mirror. Specifically the one within it who looked confused at first. This elicited a bit of a cross look from Weiss.
"If you've got business then spit it out."
"Do you think death is really the end?" He asked, suddenly taking a more serious tone as he returned to a normal stance.
"What are you talking about? ..Who are you really and what are you trying to pull?"
"Let's talk somewhere more private shall we?"
His hands came together with a clack, Weiss suddenly feeling weightlessness as her surroundings started to melt away like washing chalk on pavement. Nothing but black was left behind as she started to fall along with the strange skeleton, Ruby's mirror slipping and following them as well before it was plucked from the air. Suddenly gray began to seep through the black, along with a myriad of other dull and dark colors as new blurry surroundings began to phase into clearer existence. What lay before them all in this new environment had her stunned.
The sky was cloudy, a green moon casting a pale glow over the earth for as far as the eye could see. Wrought iron onyx gates and fences mazed through the area and hundreds if not thousands of tombstones and effigies in dozens of different varieties dotted the deathly landscape. A few mausoleums here and there, perhaps a gargoyle mounted upon a crypt.. The dead shambled freely along ranging from fleshy zombies to gibbering skulls not unlike the one who had taken them there, a few meandering around a nearby deadened tree as blackbirds cawed raucously. Robed figures slipped among the crowd without being deterred, the necromancers of the Zahne castle. Even someone like Weiss felt an unnatural chill in the air just from her few seconds of exposure as she looked around.
"What is this place..?"
"Welcome to Reaper's Escape. Home to the necromancers in your royal court. I'm not surprised you've never seen it before. It's only accessible to them and their ilk, excepting special permissions of course. Why do you think they can never be found when they're not in the castle?"
She was speechless, as was Ruby, who couldn't formulate words for a different reason. Primarily being terrified of all the undead around. Perhaps it had been best she not know the nature of those 'soldiers' from the castle exterior..
"I've never heard of such a location even around the castle. It can't be-"
"Consider it a sort of.. Extradimensional space if you will. Let's get out of the cold shall we? I've something to show you. Remember that offer I mentioned? I think you'll like this."
Everywhere she looked there was nothing but rolling fog, graves, and walking dead. She assumed that she might as well humor this being for now and see what he wanted, and to be honest she was getting increasingly curious about it. Especially since it seemed to concern Ruby. As he turned towards a nearby mausoleum's entrance the princess followed while holding the ice mirror close. The entrance groaned as the stone door was slid open, thudding against the wall as the group descended.
Her eyes had trouble adjusting to how dark it was and that was something to say when those eyes belonged to a creature that hunted in the night for an unliving. This was no ordinary darkness, both she and Ruby could feel that. Weiss was starting to lose sight of their guide when suddenly rows of candles lit and illuminated their path, sheathing them in violet blue. At the end of the maybe fifty step staircase was a wooden door that creaked open of its own accord when they drew near.
"C-Creepy.."
"Too late for nerves Ruby.. Hey, what is this place? ..Hellooo?"
"Kids are so impatient these days.. Just wait and see."
"Do you have any idea whom you're speaking to like that?"
"I do but let's face it, your sister is waaaay mondo scarier."
Weiss shook her head, exasperated. ..Not that she could deny that statement but she was growing a bit annoyed with this wild goose chase. Between that and the skeleton's antagonizing way of speaking. Whatever he had planned had better be worth it or she was going to crunch him up for alchemy ingredients. Walking into the next room revealed another series of self lighting candles, five tall red ones in the center and small wall mounted blue ones all along the walls. There was a slab altar in the midst of the five candles, lines drawn between each to form a star on the ground in black paint. What looked like dried (and a bit of fresh) blood covered the top of it, the rest on the floor around it in several different spatters and stains. It was obviously some sort of ritualistic piece but for what hideous purpose..?
"I know, it's not much. Kinda barebones but make yourself at home!"
"This.." Weiss stepped closer to the altar, smelling all sorts of deathly stenches in the room. She could practically feel Ruby wigging out inside her little container.
"How much do ya know about Necromancy? I know it's not a Schnee family specialty but I can tell you like to read. Heck even the Zahnes don't have much to do with it. We kinda just mooch about, not paying rent and all that good stuff. Except in the laughable scenario the castle comes under attack, that hasn't happened in centuries 'cause we kinda put all the offenders up on pikes and made a fence out of 'em."
"I know little but I grasp the basic concept and practices. Using dark magics to animate a corpse and control it or leave it to its own rather primal and simplistic devices. It's not easy and requires a meticulous setup but in doing so one can slowly but surely build an entire army of walking and unquestioning dead."
"A slow and sorely lacking in the intellect department army it may be.. But it is feasible. Coming back to what I asked you earlier.." The skeleton chuckled, one hand holding an elbow and the other propping his head in contemplation. "Do you think death is really the end?" Though he had no eyes to speak of she could swear they were directed towards Ruby when he slightly turned his head.
"I don't believe you're asking me what I think you're asking me."
"Bingoooo!" He snapped his bony fingers.
"I am NOT even remotely considering bringing her back as a shambling and dimwitted meatsack!" Weiss yelled, spinning on her heel to face him with disdain. He quickly waved his hands side to side and then stepped forward, around, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh nonono, that's not the plan.. Far from it. It's not common knowledge even amongst the necromancers but.. It is possible to reclaim what Death has reaped, without sacrificing what makes us so.. Alive. Our reasoning, our feelings, our intellect.. She could be brought back just like new, a fresh body, a fresh start.."
"You mean.. Like a homunculus?" The vampiress asked incredulously.
"Jackpot Schnee."
"I.. Wait. Hold on. If such a thing was possible, then surely-"
"It's an extremely difficult and tedious process." The skeletal one interrupted in a matter-of-factly tone, presuming to know what she was already thinking. "The rare materials required, the amount of magic power one would need for the ritual, the utmost precision and care required to create a proper vessel for a departed soul to inhabit that would be both compatible and durable enough. Not to mention the inhabitant has to be able to subjugate and control their new living body, and it'd require some form of DNA from the original person to help with the matchup. This scales depending on exactly what manner of being that you or they wish to be summoned into. Naturally a rat would be easier to create and command than say a larger animal, or a zombie easier to work with than something like a draugr or wight. Reincarnation outside of the beyond's divine management is a tricky and dangerous thing to try but humans have been attempting to play God for the longest time so hey why can't we have a jolly go at it eh wot?"
"..."
The skeleton watched her as she became lost in thought. Bringing Ruby back.. Would she be okay with that? Weiss wasn't even certain if she could trust this person but if it were truly possible.. She held the mirror up and searched for Ruby's face, it popping into view a second after.
"It's alright. Decide for yourself. No pressure. If you do choose to go through with it there's a good chance it'll succeed. After all I've only been doing this for countless years. Necromancy I mean. Something on this level I've only done a few times before though but I'm confident I can pull it off. However.."
He paused, rubbing his chin and looking rather apprehensive. As much as a bare skull could.
"..I won't lie. There is a chance things could go wrong. The body might reject her, or she might suffer some permanent damage if she fails to take it over and it gets.. Violent. Plus, some of these ingredients I need for the composition of the new body will be dangerous or hard to find and I have no idea where you're going to get something with her DNA. It can't be simple like say a hair or dry skin. I'd need blood. Saliva. Something with content. I can however aid you in those other regards. I know WHERE to find everything else, I just can't simply go and get it myself." A dusty old encyclopedia marked with a bone appeared out of thin air into his clutches, opening and flipping to random pages as the skeleton spoke. "And I can provide you with limited assistance. Think it over carefully.." The book shut with a clap. "And do keep in mind it will have to be an undead body. I could provide you with a pure human vessel which would be a bit easier, but then she'd only have another.. I'd say 60 to 90 years left before age takes its course and she dies. A homunculus body created in this fashion wouldn't be able to take on vampirism in case you change your mind about being human and constantly replacing your vessel without a proper reincarnation through Heaven would be the equivalent of rampant bodyjacking or floating about in the open without possessing something. It'd put a great strain on your spirit and erode it away. So.. Talk it over. I'll wait. But not for long."
The dangers were evident, as were the positives. This could be their only chance to truly reunite in this world, IF it was possible. But would she want to take the risks and be willing to become an undead like her? As she looked into Ruby's eyes her apprehension was noticable.
"It's.. Your choice Ruby. I won't force anything on you."
"..."
The silence was deafening. Weiss was prepared for her to reject the idea out of fear or disgust, or perhaps she'd ultimately decided that passing on was what she truly wanted so it came as a bit of a surprise when the girl gave her a determined nod.
"I'll do it."
"Huh?"
"Let's go through with it."
"Are you.. Sure?" Weiss asked. Ruby bit her lower lip gently.
"I am. You're right Weiss. It's not like I'll never see them again. Besides, I know that not everyone who turns becomes an evil monster. Some of them are still good on the inside. In fact.. I'm kinda looking at one right now."
The princess turned a touch of pink and smiled, suddenly grimacing and averting her gaze. As if she could read her mind Ruby leaned closer to the mirror's edge with a frown.
"Hey, I'm past that Weiss. I can't ever forget it but a true monster would have killed me that night. Or worse. You showed me you really cared when you put yourself in danger to protect me. When you cried over me."
"I.. Yes.. I love you Ruby. Nothing will ever change that. If that's what you're certain you want and you think it's worth a shot then I'll do everything in my power to see it through." Again she nodded. "Alright then, we have a deal umm.." Weiss turned to the skeletal figure, about ready to extend her hand when she realized she still didn't have a title to address him by.
"You won't regret it Schnee! And you can call me Skeletor."
She swiped her hand up as he went to shake it, scowling. Gods she disliked people like him. Staring blankly at the woman he then sighed, giving his hand another short thrust. "..Graham."
"..Very well. So. What must I do? You mentioned gathering ingredients.."
"Yes I did. In fact that's all you need to do. I will handle everything else, from the construction of her new vessel to the process of interring her soul inside it. The final process won't take place here but for the majority you will return to this world after you've claimed most of the necessary items." The book disappeared and in its place a scroll that was unsealed and allowed to spill over as he ran his fingers along the list, naming off multitudes of items. As each one was announced, much to her annoyance things like small pouches, empty vials, cases, and a satchel would fall on her from above.
"Let's see.. Hydra scales, fade mushrooms, wyvern fangs, the fur of a Snarbolax, succubus milk, gwyllgi bones, a mermaid's sweat, shadow ferns, tendons of a gargoyle, minotaur blood, don't forget something with the girl's DNA, chitin from the tail of a manticore-"
"ALRIGHT." Weiss shouted, everything she was buried under comically flying away as she threw her arms up. "One thing at a time! Or just give me the list and I'll handle it!"
"Do you know where-"
"The book too!"
He blinked as she snatched both the parchment and the tome after resummoning it, a little humored at her behavior.
"..I actually know where to get a few of these things already, and the rest shouldn't be too hard."
"Do not go after the minotaur's blood until you've gotten everything else. It has to be rather fresh you see."
"And I know where to get what you need for my DNA. Since my dad and my mom hunted vampires they kept spare packs of blood ready in case they were needed. I had one sitting in my room when you showed up 'cause I was gonna use it for a trap. If my other mom hasn't moved it by now.."
Weiss simply gave Ruby a look. Well, that didn't have to be fresh did it? Not like it was going to be for drinking.
"Excellent. That should be fine. Looks like we're in agreement! Tut tut then. If we're expedient it should only take.. Perhaps three days. Depending on how easily you can gather the supplies and I can create the vessel, and how long it takes for her to commandeer said vessel. I'll be rooting for you!"
"Thanks I suppose.. Except.."
"I suggest leaving that at home. It'd be risky just carrying it about, and I highly advise against trying to store it here." Graham said, pointing at the mirror which had a rather puffy cheeked girl exclaiming how rude he was and that she had a name. "Heh. Feisty one."
"I agree. About having her stay home I mean. How do I-"
"Just return to your room when you are done collecting, or when you're ready to lighten your load. I'd suggest the latter that way I can get somewhat started while you're out and about. Or seek out one of the milling necromancers and ask for me."
"Thank you. Really." Weiss said earnestly. The mere thought of being able to touch Ruby again, to hold her in her arms and look into those enchanting silver eyes true face to face.. It fueled her motivation and as she started to ask something else her surroundings began to melt away once more, her room in the castle repainting itself around her as she touched the floor with a bit of a stumble. It took her a few seconds to recover from her disorientation but when she was done Weiss started looking over the long parchment once more.
"Alright.. Let's see.. The first thing I suppose I'll go after are the shadow ferns.. Ruby, are you going to be okay sitting here alone?"
"I'll be fine. I spent a week running from that crazy old man but at least I'll be safe here." Ruby answered.
"..It won't be much longer. I promise.. Just don't let yourself be noticed. I don't want any awkward questions being raised." She looked around the room, settling on placing the mirror facing the bed atop the nightstand so that way nobody might see her by accident. It was hidden behind a lamppost for extra safety and with a long deep breath Weiss turned away. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I'll have to let someone know I'm going out for a little alone time so they don't worry.."
Ruby listened as the vampiress' footsteps faded and the door clicked shut, laying back inside her little reflective world. Similar thoughts raced through her mind in the grand silence of the room save for the ticking grandfather clock. Just as swiftly as they were reunited they parted, but at least it wouldn't be for long. Right?
...
*back inside the plane of Reaper's Escape*
...
"Whew.. Glad that went well. Almost thought she might not bite on that one." Graham chuckled to himself, snapping his fingers to an unheard jazzy rhythm as he looked over the altar. Could do with a bit of cleaning.. Eh. He'd do it later. Various alchemical devices like an alembic, retort, grinder, and etc phased into existence atop the stone along with several different pouches and cases. This was going to be a fun project..
He was either too engrossed in his work or simply oblivious to the dark cold presence that stepped from the shadow a few seconds later, its eyes boring into the back of his skull. Or perhaps..
"Heh. Thought you were gone for the day."
"What are you scheming, lich?"
"To brain three birds with one rock.. I can return to my old body, the ice princess gets her lover back, and we might just have what we need to eliminate those cursed vampires. I think between the two of them we can put an end to that monstrosity they worship."
The skeleton looked over his shoulder, green light illuminating his hollow sockets from the inside as he let out a deep and unearthly chuckle.
"Your daughter is going to be in for a surprise, Tundra, and I just cannot wait to see it opened."
BOOM HEADSHOT say whaaaaat? Yeah, I managed to pull it off. I can't believe I did it but wooo! Fit one more in! No time for a lengthy post A/N so count your lucky blessings if you're not a fan of 'em.
Gonna stop you once to say one thing though. Next chapter is gonna have an interesting little prologue. Can you guess who the new person is or what they're talking about? Stay tuned..
Inspectre Offline.
