Chapter 18

"He devoured nearly 10,000 souls!" demanded Atomic. "Shit, I thought we were going to train this kid!"

"Vampire souls, no one innocent, kept within the barrier and by the rules of ragnarok." Stated Garou. "However, I am worried…"

"You damn well should be! He only became the Shadow King a few weeks ago… not even, and yet he has already devoured the souls of vampires! What if he gets a taste for it!?"

"He is quite put off to be honest with you," Flash stated. "Just noticing his current state, he isn't happy about it…"

"Temporary" stated Pig God. "His body is not adjusted to it yet, in due time, he will adapt to feeding from souls, that is when we must be vigilant the most." He looked about the table and said. "I have little doubt Bad had intention for this, but I also didn't think he understood the complexity of this ability, nor what it would do in the long run. Quite frankly, neither do we. Which is why we must keep a close eye on him. Understood?"

The table nodded in agreement. "Are we done with vampires?" Zombieman asked.

"Yeah, the contract Jima made is iron tight…" Garou paused. "But I think… there's something wrong with me." He announced. "I should have died…"

Flash nodded in agreement. "The dagger used was pure silver, similar to the one his uncle Pureblood possessed. He was struck in the stomach and the blade was turned. He should have bled out and died then and there… question is why didn't he?"

Silverfang was silent as he turned to Garou, his hand kept over the bandaged area of his core. Garou was wrapped up from the chest down, yet still the look of worry on his face was shared by his former master. "How could it? I mean… What if perhaps Bad's blood is doing a lot more to Garou than anticipated?" he asked.

"Indeed, Bad's blood has become rather a wonder to say the least. He allowed Garou to feed from him despite his own injuries. From what Flash also stated, Bad placed his hand over Garou's wound, did he somehow help heal it?" Snek asked.

"Could he have healing properties? Or is this how close he is to death itself?" asked Flash.

There was no answer, no one knew the least bit.

Pig God sighed aloud. "We will monitor everything,"

The table agreed as Snek sighed aloud. "I better load up on notebooks and pens to say the least"

"And PLEASE get him out of here. Bad is really creeping me out with his stomach agitating the way it is!" begged Tatsumaki.

#

Garou opted to take Bad home the moment he woke up. However he was more concerned as to what his sister would think of her big brother. "Shit man, she's going to hate me! She's going to be crept out by this!" Bad said all the way home. He wanted to walk in hopes of perhaps some light exercise would shake some of this weight. Garou however sighed aloud as it did nothing for him. They managed to hide his appearance for the time being, thanks to his shadow technique, Bad could alter his clothing and keep his face hidden.

By the time they walked in, Zenko was already at the door with a cup of tea in hand for Bad. "For your stomach," she said right away.

"Thanks sis… I'm sorry, I should have been more… uh…"

"Careful?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Yeah…" he muttered as took the drink. He was quick to pound it back, yet as he did, his stomach gargled. "Damn it… even when I drink something…"

"Let's get you rested up…"

Yet as Garou brought Bad into the house, he paused and saw Sonic in the kitchen. "My King has returned! Very good, I made this just for you. An old remedy for an ailment such as yours."

Sonic presented him with a strange and yet smoky looking drink. "What is it?" Bad asked.

"Drink it and see." Sonic said with a very strange grin.

Bad was desperate for relief so he did, he pounded back the drink, without even tasting it. His stomach once more acted up and moaned, but then, suddenly settled. He paused for a moment as he jostled his belly a little to see if there was a reaction.

Nothing.

"Shit man, thanks! That was great!"

Sonic merely bowed. "I lived to serve my King." He said graciously. "Oh, one important factor my liege. Do not go to the shadow realm until you are your old self again… With that many souls within you. If you do go… I fear there would be a rebellion in your own stomach"

Bad froze to the news. "Shit, for real?" he asked. Sonic did a sincere nod of his head. "Okay, I won't go back unless it's an absolute emergency… you guys will tell me right?"

"But of course!" Sonic vowed.

"Good." Bad said and then let out a yawn. "Still, I need a nap. You two going to be okay?"

Zenko nodded, as did Garou. Bad was quick to take to his bed and got to sleep, Garou on the other hand glared at Sonic. "I don't trust you," he said in a daring tone. "You are up to something, I know you are up to something, but I don't know what yet!"

Zenko nodded in agreement. "For a bodyguard, you really aren't doing your job," she warned.

The twisted grin on Sonic only grew. "Rest assured, I am doing my job, so well that you don't even notice it. For now, I will overlook this insult to my capabilities. You two ought to be thanking me later for what I have done. I have ensured Bad says in power!"

"Say what?" demanded Garou.

Sonic said nothing more as he vanished into his own shadow. Garou sneered at him. "Crafty son of a bitch, isn't he?"

"Still, what did he mean by that?" she wondered.

Not even he knew, but something tells him, Sonic has another agenda in mind…