Author's Note: I decided to update since I wanted to keep the story moving. I am still editing future chapters, though hopefully this one will suffice in the meantime. I guarantee that if you think things between Walter and Joachim seem too "soft" right now, you might be surprised by what happens later on. Anyway, I could not resist adding everyone's favorite tactician/fallen knight/vampire king to the story at last. Although Mathias' "transformation" may have strayed from the plotline (aka the crimson stone changing him) I knew he HAD to have talked/met Walter at some point in order to plan his 'revenge against God.' It really didn't make sense that a stone could make him lose his humanity so I thought of an alternative way, which will hopefully seem plausible. Mathias is crazy, that's pretty obvious. As for Walter...well...I'll leave you to conclude why he might have decided to accept the tactician's offer.
I'm sort of worried about making Joachim sound too whiny/weak in this story. I hope I haven't done that... but he does have morals and tries to keep them. Though, I admit, I like how Walter slams him for being so melancholy all the time :D
Also, Joachim's fight in the garden at the end was kind of fun to write. I just felt like adding it, since it would be interesting to see how he would react to the other bosses/monsters.
Special Thanks
Rahar Moonfire: I know real life gets in the way sometimes but I'm glad you took the time to read TWO chapters and review them both :) I like hearing your constructive comments and take them to heart. Perhaps I should find a beta reader? This story could use one, though it is quite long. I just realized how "old school" I am. I used to submit fiction on this site before there was even a "review response" option available. So, in the past, if I wanted to respond to people I could only type it in the story box (like this) for everyone to view. I haven't been able to break the habit by just submitting a "review response" individually. Oh well, I'm lazy :P As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Yay, Mathias has arrived! (err...wait...)
LateNiteSlacker: Thank you for reading and reviewing my work. Walter is extremely manipulative and Joachim knows it. Hopefully, this chapter will show Walter getting impatient with Joachim rebuking him and starting to take control over his unwilling companion. Things will definitely get darker from here. Joachim still looks out for himself, even though he is attracted to Walter in many ways. I am not as familair with Mathias so I hope I got his character down in this chapter. He's not the main focus in the story but his presence is significant nonetheless. Like Leon, Joachim's hatred for Walter becomes a weakness Mathias exploits to the fullest. Why not have two after Walter's head instead of just one? If Mathias met Joachim, I'm pretty sure he would take advantage of Joachim's resentment and anger.
TheGhostisReal: Thank you for reviewing again. I am happy to see you continue to follow this story. :) I hope this chapter will be exciting now that Mathias has arrived. I wasn't sure how the whole "agreement/pact" between him and Walter went down so I did my best to guess and this is what I came up with. Walter would talk about killing people as casually as the weather - and over dinner, no less. If I had to decide who was more twisted (Mathias vs. Walter) I don't think I could choose.
Chapter XVIII
The laboratory was one of the most interesting places Joachim had ever seen. The air was heavy, and smelled of stale, nameless chemicals. Numerous furnaces heated the entire wing of the castle and its humidity stabilized the chemicals stored there. The laboratory was dimly lit at best, perhaps even crude in its design, though Joachim could not deny the fact it intrigued him greatly. What on earth was Walter trying to create in here? The thought made a chill run through his spine. The monsters in the laboratory, despite their numbers, were far from threatening. Every so often, he would come across groups of zombies. Their bodies would usually be ignited and blackened by fire, possibly after knocking over a flask containing an explosive component. The creatures wandered aimlessly through the hallways moaning in agony, while the putrid smell of burning flesh followed them wherever they went. After a while, he became accustomed to the unpleasant smell. Whatever brains they had as humans had long since rotted away, leaving behind mindless, thrashing forms. Zombies were more of a nuisance than a true threat. Often, they tried blocking him in the laboratory's narrow hallways so he could not pass without attacking them. He only needed to summon his swords to attack a few times before they fell, screaming in agony, and burning to cinders before his thirsting eyes.
A part of him admired the fact that death followed him like a shadow wherever he went. Death itself was becoming beautiful to him. The slow, gasping of a last breath being drawn, the cold shudder, the dull pain…and then…finally, the blackness that snuffed it out. It was easier to die than to survive - he had seen it many times as a lord, forced to endure the sight of his own people starving or succumbing to plague. Sometimes, it seemed hardly a day could go by without watching the familiar wooden cart trolling up and down Creightel's cobblestone roads. The church bell always tolled during winter when the nights were long and dark, and the specter death lingered, waiting to take its next victim. He could not remember what it felt like when he died. The only memory he had of the incident was a cold, silent blackness, before awaking as a vampire. Death had visited him and then passed him by, recognizing the bite marks on his neck as Walter's claim over his soul.
Something had occurred within the laboratory's mysterious walls. He could almost feel the earnestness for discovery, for truth, for the answer to eternal life. It hung in the air and enticed him to wander deeper into the laboratory's extraordinary ambience. Some of the rooms he entered were wide and open, and contained wooden shelves scattered with books, flasks, various surgical instruments, and jars of unrecognizable specimens. Other rooms were all but empty, their uses unknown and lost after centuries of abandonment. He could not imagine Walter performing scientific experiments. It did not seem characteristic of a demon who spent his leisure time kidnapping lovers and destroying them. The only thing he knew was Walter's powers were not without limit. It frustrated him to no end that in his search for answers, all he found was more questions.
After a time, he wandered to the third floor of the laboratory and entered an enormous room. Books of all shapes and sizes lined the back wall of the room. However, his attention was drawn to a massive telescope. It was so tall that it nearly touched the ceiling. The telescope's massive frame pointed out a large opening in the wall overlooking the cloudy night sky. A small table had been set up near the base of the telescope. The table's crude wooden frame was covered with papers and books. On the back wall by the shelves was a small fireplace that looked as if it had not cradled flames within it for quite some time. A flash of intrigue appeared within the young man's pale blue eyes as he drifted into the room, awed by its neglect and opulence. Even the greatest scientist did not possess a laboratory as advanced. The young vampire was determined to make it his– the perfect place in which he could read, write, and study. Illness had taught him that knowledge was liberating.
He settled himself into chair in front of the long, wooden table, and began combing through the various documents scattered across it. Most were unintelligible - complex formulas and calculations leading to conclusions he did not understand. Whoever had written them had long since passed away, taking the mystery of their discoveries with them in death. Without hesitating, he got up and approached the bookshelves. The laboratory's humid air bothered him, for it made his ashen skin sheen like a pearl. The youth wiped his brow with his hand, his cold flesh irritated by the laboratory's unyielding heat. He commanded the books to leave the dusty shelves concealing them for centuries and directed them to float toward the table. Satisfied, he sat down and immersed himself in the long-forgotten texts. Most of the books he picked were in languages he did not recognize, for the scrawling handwriting was barely distinguishable. However, the few books he could read contained numerous diagrams, outlines, and mathematical formulas. One book in particular was especially interesting. Although most of it was written in Latin, two words stood out in his mind:
Aeternam vitam
Lapillus Hebenus
Eternal life. Ebony stone. He could not make out the connection between them, for the handwriting had faded – as though the author purposely concealed their secrets. He was so absorbed in the book that he did not even notice Walter until the sound of the other lord's voice startled him.
"Ah, I see you have discovered my library…"
Walter stood in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed upon him with interest. Without waiting for acknowledgement, he walked into the room, his cape swishing along with his confident strides. His regal head tossed his thick, crimson hair against his flawless cheeks. Before answering the young man's surprise, he folded his arms across his chest and surveyed the books scattered across the desk.
"Reading anything of interest?" The demon asked as a smile appeared across his fine lips. When the young man returned his question with a scathing look, he continued carefully. "I did not mean to disturb you."
"Yes you did." The youth sneered. He realized he had left the book open in front of him on the desk. Hoping the other lord had not noticed, he picked it up and promptly snapped it shut. "I was in the middle of reading. Though I would love to converse with you, I am rather busy at the moment."
A low, barely audible chuckle escaped Walter's lips when he replied. "Have you no time to enjoy yourself?" The mocking hint in his voice was impossible to ignore. "I am curious to know what you are studying, my little scholar."
"Nothing of importance." Without looking at the other lord he opened one of the books he had previously discarded. As long as Walter did not see what he had been reading, he was confident the vampire would lose interest and depart. A scowl creased the corners of his lips as he studied the book in an attempt to ignore him. To his growing annoyance, Walter approached the table, his muscular frame shadowing the young man.
He could almost feel Walter's eyes looking down at him. A shudder ran through his body when the vampire lord leaned around him, his lips brushing across his cheek. The youth gasped and attempted to hide his surprise behind a mask of seriousness. "It seems you are still angry about our previous disagreement." The demon whispered silkily. "Though you are beautiful, I know you resent me for turning you. You thirst for my blood and nothing more."
"What more is there?" He cast a weary glance upon Walter's elegant visage. He could not understand why, despite his vexation, he could not turn the demon away entirely.
He felt the vampire slide his other hand around his back and to his face, cupping it tenderly as his low, sonorous voice filled the room. "Everything. Tis' true, you still mourn the loss of your humanity. Nevertheless, you have the opportunity to begin anew…the past is irrelevant, now."
Joachim grimaced, and felt his ears burn from his lord's poisonous words. Despite the anger coursing through his withered veins, his voice remained calm. He feared Walter was right. Like the God Prometheus, he wondered what would become of him – and humanity itself – if he unleashed the fire building inside his heart onto the world. Hatred was like fire, for it was capable of spreading and engulfing everything in its path. Though he was numb to the fact he was a vampire, very gradually, he was beginning to fear himself. Only his memories reminded him of a life he once had. Memories that had come and gone as if they were autumn leaves scattered in the wind. Without realizing it, his breath hitched in his chest, while his voice managed to choke out the emotions churning within his soul. His voice shook with sadness when he spoke as his eyes cast themselves to the floor, seeking refuge from Walter's prying gaze. "No. I would exchange a thousand lonely nights in this castle for days spent in the sun. A single lifetime as a human is more than eternity as a vampire."
For a moment Walter remained silent. Without even looking at him, Joachim could feel his pain – though he knew not if its basis was remorse, resentment, or grief. Perhaps it was all three. However, when the other lord's voice filled his ears, it was clear that whatever emotions transpired beneath those dark, mysterious eyes, only briefly delayed the response following it. "Such a tragic sentiment. Must you always be so depressing, Joachim?" Without waiting for his rebuttal, the red-haired lord continued coldly. "Your life would have been ordinary and brief. Humanity's fragility is its greatest weakness. The pain of your loss merely confirms it. I know all too well the ephemeral nature of life, for death always follows after it like a hungry dog, waiting to devour it."
The tension flowing through the red-haired lord was enough to infect everything around it like a sickness. Though beautiful, Walter's ashen countenance concealed a truth that made the young man shudder. Before he could stop himself, his desire to ease his lord's pain overcame his revulsion. He bowed his head, allowing curtains of his soft, white hair to fall against his ashen cheeks as he wound his fingers between the other lord's. With a sigh, he gently squeezed his hand, attempting to comfort him, though he knew not why. A single lifetime of loss was nothing compare to an eternity of it. Despite their differences, they shared the same fate. It was impossible for him to deny that a part of him admired the fact that Walter persevered through it all. The warmth in his voice betrayed the hatred in his icy gaze when he whispered under his breath.
"You are not alone…"
Without awaiting a reply, he rose from his chair and turned to look at him. Though Walter's face was composed, he could almost see the storm of want and desire in his eyes. Although the other lord's grace and beauty mesmerized him, it filled him with a desire to possess it and consume it. He alone would rule Walter's heart. It contented him to think that, despite being physically weaker, he still possessed great power over the other lord. He did not doubt Walter knew it as well. Joachim's pale, greedy eyes scanned Walter's great frame, admiring the ripping muscles hidden beneath his armor. He fell to his knees and raised Walter's hand to his lips, kissing the cold, sallow flesh as if his moment of affection could erase centuries of his lord's grief. He had kissed his hand as if he were a god – a dark god, capable of destroying him with as much passion as loving him.
The pity he felt for the demon vanished the moment he looked upon Walter's smirking face. The barest thread of his composure threatened to snap under Walter's arrogance. The red-haired lord's hand flew to his chin, cupped it, pulling his vulnerable head upward. Not even a second later, his lips were covered in a fierce, powerful kiss. However, the affection he received could not ease the rage flowing through the young man's wounded pride. Without hesitating, his fangs bit down upon the intruding lips. The warm, thick tang of blood filled his mouth and drowned his rage in a stream of red. He heard his lord emit an enraged cry before his vision was spotted by pain. A powerful hand knocked his frail body onto the floor. "Insolent wretch!" Walter hissed, his voice distorted by the blood streaming from his wounded mouth. The red liquid slid down the vampire lord's ashen face and sprinkled over the floor like crimson rain.
He regained himself long enough to look up at Walter as he lay on the floor, bleeding from a gash in his cheek. It pleasured him when he saw the pain he had wrought. "Do not toy with me, Walter." He sneered, whist attempting to stop the blood gushing from his wounded cheek. The red liquid slid between his fingers when he touched the raw flesh. The white-haired youth pressed his hand to his lips, tasting the repulsive and familiar sourness of his own blood. Nevertheless, despite his pain, Walter's enraged expression prompted a brutal, cold laugh to escape his throat.
Walter's face was twisted by rage. His fine lips, once calm and soft, quickly curled into a scowl. The young man's laughter was silenced by the sole of Walter's boot colliding against his chest. Before he could even let out a gasp, he fell back against the floor as pain flooded through his entire body. Without giving him a chance to recover from the blow, Walter grasped the creature by the collar of his robe and lifted him up. "You impertinent fool!" He snarled. The richness in his voice was consumed by rage and disgust. "You are nothing compared to me. I would beat you here and now, if I did not know you would enjoy it so much!"
"Then what will do you with me?" The youth croaked while struggling feebly against his lord's powerful grasp. Walter's next words were so unexpected that he wondered if the red-haired lord had lost his mind.
"I have a guest tonight. I would be pleased if you would dine with us. Perhaps then, I might forgive you."
His eyes widened as he stared at Walter in disbelief. Despite searching for falsehood, he realized Walter was serious. "A guest?" He gasped. "Who have you kidnapped, now? If you think I am entertained by your games-"
Walter's smile turned into a slight smirk, met completely with his low yet audible voice. "That was not a request. I am certain that once you meet him, you will understand the circumstances."
Joachim stared up at him with growing reluctance. "Who would want to come here of his own will, knowing the odds are already set against them? You murdered Lady Rohesia before her lover could save her life!" He returned Walter's disgust with his own. The idea that the game always leaned in the vampire's favor made him less than eager to find out. No human stood a chance against the demon's power. Even if they managed to reach him, the one they sought to rescue was already doomed.
Walter's persistence knew no bounds. "So you know." The other lord remarked while the mocking smile he wore ceased to fade. "I fed upon her blood, since I knew her lover would fail to defeat one of my most prized monsters. Tis' a shame you missed him when he arrived. I would have enjoyed watching you spar."
Joachim scowled darkly. For the moment, he and Walter had reached a stalemate. The only sign of his acknowledgment was a reluctant nod. Walter swept away from him, the cordiality in his voice returning when he ordered.
"Wash your face before you attend, Joachim. I will expect you in my throne room within the hour."
Joachim floated up the steps to the throne room. Upon entering, he noticed a long table had been set up and was decorated with a fine red cloth and silver china. Three chairs were set at the table, one at each head and the other in the middle. His attention however, was directed to Walter's dinner guest. "Walter, why did you invite a human to dine with us tonight?" His eyes stared at the tall figure wearing long black robes and a forest green blanket over one shoulder. The neckline of his robe was trimmed with white rabbit fur matching the trimming at the bottom of his robes and ankle high black boots. Several jeweled rings covered his delicate fingers. Long, chestnut colored hair fell around his face and curled ornately at the ends. Partially covering his wrists were iron gauntlets with the recognizable seal of a knight. The man's face was smooth, contoured, and rather handsome, though a subtle hint of malice reflected within his eyes.
Without looking at him, Walter motioned for him to take his seat at the table. The red haired lord had, evidently, cleaned the wounds on his lips. There was not even the slightest trace of the argument that occurred between them merely hours before their dining together. Curtains of Walter's shimmering red hair spilled against his neck and shoulders as he seated himself at the head of the table. A proud glint appeared within his black eyes, which focused upon their human guest. "Do not be so inhospitable!" He scolded, ignoring the white-haired vampire's doubt. "Now, be seated so that we may begin our meal. I wish to enjoy our evening. Tis been a long while since I dined with a human."
"I understand your hatred." The man commented, his dark chestnut colored eyes locking upon Joachim deliberately. The mere look he gave captured the attention of both vampires simultaneously. His voice was calm, deep, and somewhat reserved. However, the cordial smile he gave indicated a surprising fearlessness. The bloody nature of the crusades had made him immune to the threat of violence and death. "Humans are nothing compared to immortals. If you permit me, I would be honored to dine with you tonight." Without waiting for a reply, he made a graceful bow. The man's long, chestnut hair cascaded around his shoulders and elegant face.
Joachim stared in silence while the man introduced himself. "I am Mathias Cronqvist. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Armster."
"How do you know my family?" Joachim replied tersely, ignoring Walter's annoyance at his brazen remark. The red-haired lord drummed his gauntlet-covered fingers impatiently upon the tablecloth.
Mathias bowed again. Joachim could tell he was a man of great wealth and respectability. His manners were precise and deliberate, and his words eloquent and polite. His chestnut colored eyes did not leave the young vampire for instant as he replied. "The resemblance between you and your father is unmistakable. I have heard great stories about Lord Armster's victories in the East. I did not know he had a son-"
"My father preferred it that way." He muttered, already knowing that it was going to be a long evening. His lips curled into a scowl as he drifted toward the table and sat down. His ivory hair curtained around his face when he lowered his head, casting his eyes upon the plate in front of him. "I was chronically ill and unable to follow in his footsteps."
"Tis' regretful." Mathias replied while seating himself at the table across from the white-haired youth. Although the tantalizing smell of food filled the air, he looked at the plates with disinterest. Though relaxed, something within his gaze indicated that he was not there for the conversation. He could barely believe how unbothered Mathias was by the fact that his flesh was the object of his thirst, something his pale eyes desired to puncture with his fangs. Without hesitating, the knight placed a napkin on his lap and gave the young man a sad, respectful smile. "Lord Zaeviean was a great man. I am honored to dine with his son. As a vampire, you no longer fear illness or death. For that, I am envious."
"Envious?" Joachim repeated as if the suggestion behind it was completely unheard of. He raised an eyebrow at the man, his lips pursing for a moment. He had to choose his words carefully in Walter's presence. He could almost feel his lord's eyes watching his every move when he continued, hiding his spite behind his eloquent response. "Tis' human nature to want what is not ours. As a human, I always longed to be strong. I suppose, my prayers were answered…"
A silent smile spread across Walter's lips. The vampire lord leaned back in his chair, giving the young man a knowing look. No words needed to be said to confirm the hatred that passed from Joachim's gaze when Walter added smoothly. "Indeed. Life and death are unforgiving. Nothing asked for is always granted… and nothing granted is always asked for." He shot daggers at Walter but held his tongue. Now was not the time to anger the red-haired lord. If he did not mind his thoughts, his swords were capable of betraying him – intentionally or not. His psychic abilities were still in their early stages of development. Not even he knew what his mind was capable of if his emotions clouded his judgment.
He could do nothing except watch Mathias nod in agreement, his deep voice filling with a sudden passion that startled him as much as Walter. Joachim's eyes flew open upon hearing the human's ardent reply. "You're perceptiveness is admirable, Lord Bernhard."Mathias's smooth lips curled into a deep frown and his eyes darkened. The man rose from his chair as the hatred spilled from his lips like fire. "The very thing mankind has come to depend on, to look toward in their times of suffrage, and which has led them to their malice and unforgiving ways that they have taken from that being's example – God! God enjoys taking what humans treasure most and giving nothing in return."
"Ah, God." Walter reminisced, smirking slightly. The red-haired lord folded his hands in front of him whilst his dark eyes focused thoughtfully upon the man's enraged expression. One thing Joachim knew was that Walter admired the passion and loathing in his words.
Mathias' anger somehow made him appear more stately, perhaps even more beautiful, than his once calm demeanor had indicated. A spark of rage ignited within his chestnut colored eyes.
The knight slammed his fists on the table and shook his head, his entire body trembling as he continued, the passion making his voice rise into a bold reprimand. "God is the reason why mankind suffers. I have felt such suffering because of his cruelty, for despite my efforts to be righteous within His eyes, it was not enough. I fought battles in His name, I proclaimed my devotion to Him, and I attended mass every Sunday. However, He stole from me the one I valued most, who above all else I held dear to my heart."
"Stole from you? What did 'God' take?" Joachim could not resist asking. The man's hatred for God attracted his immediate and undivided attention. It was impossible for him to deny that he understood, deep within his own tainted soul, what the man implied. If anyone had reasons to hate God, his were immeasurable. Memories flooded into his mind – a lonely grave upon a hill, a priest's cassock torn from pleading hands, and the cold, merciless eyes that accompanied it. Decades, centuries, and even an eternity could come to pass and he would never forget. Never…
Mathias fell silent, closing his eyes, until the name he spoke prompted him to open them and gaze back. Another silence passed before he replied, his voice softening to a whisper. "Elisabetha, my beloved wife. The only one whom I cherished, whom I asked God to protect until I could return to her - God mercilessly took her from this world. For that, I curse Him!"
Mathias fell into another eerie silence that was broken only by Walter's question. "Interesting." The vampire lord mused aloud, his eyes glinting in the candlelight. "Though your story is quite entertaining, it does not explain why you have come to my castle. There is no God here - only Eternal Night."
"Precisely." Mathias finished, his eyes glinting in return when he lifted his cutlery, almost as if remembering there was food to be eaten. The man's candid reply surprised Joachim. Despite Mathias' passion and grief, his self-control was astounding. The white-haired youth could not help admiring his devotion to the woman he lost. Indeed, if a man's love was great enough to bring him to Eternal Night, it proved love knew no bounds. Not even death itself would stop Mathias from ensuring that his objectives were carried out. The hardness in Joachim's eyes relented for a moment. However, it quickly returned when the man looked at Walter and bowed his head. His subtle proposition, though polite, made Walter's eyes flicker. "I am curious if you find my terms suitable? I guarantee they will result in your favor. "
Walter stared expressionlessly at his wine glass. His smooth lips formed a slight frown. "I am still considering your request."
"What is this about?" Joachim could not resist interjecting. A feeling of dread filled him as he glanced between Walter and Mathias. Despite the indifference he attempted to display, the alarm in his icy eyes betrayed him. In an attempt to restrain himself, he added spitefully. "Humans have nothing to offer vampires, except their blood and their lives."
"Tis' true, Lord Armster." Mathis replied, whilst his dark brown eyes gave him a shrewd look.
"Thus, I offer my blood and my life in exchange for immortality. I do not worship God and I no longer wish to see Him in this life or the next." The severe look upon the man's face confirmed the hated in his eyes. His intensity both allured and repulsed the white-haired youth, whose mouth nearly fell agape.
"Though your offer is…unconventional, why should I accept?" Walter's voice was strained by impatience. Joachim could only guess that his lord was no less taken aback by the request than he was. Walter's dark eyes looked upon the man cautiously. Despite his surprise, he was no fool. Evidently, in the countless centuries of his existence, no one had ever requested to have their soul ruined. The Church, as well as personal morality, ensured that. "If I want either of those things, I can merely go out and find a human to supply me with them – and I do that every evening."
Mathias shook his head, his voice filling with a kind of urgency that proved the genuine nature of his request. Although Joachim attempted to search for some form of regret, perhaps even hesitation, he could find none. The man's face was expressionless and bereft of fear or doubt. The coldness in his brown eyes indicated that the loss he suffered had brought him well beyond the point of reconsidering. "Walter, I swear there is much for you to gain. I know you granted Lord Armster this gift. If you agree to my offer, you shall finally receive the worthy adversary you desire."
Joachim's eyes widened as he snapped with repugnance. "Gift? You call being a vampire a gift? Foolish human, you do not understand-"
Walter shot him a warning look. "This matter does not concern you!"
"I will not be silent!" Joachim grabbed the wine glass near his plate and threw it at the wall. The glass hit the stone with a resounding shatter, though the sound was nothing compared to his rage as he hissed between gritted teeth. "How dare you ask such a thing, Lord Cronqvist! I was not willingly taken." His nails ripped at the cloth, and he heard Walter growl loudly with impatience.
Mathias remained still and stared back at Joachim until he at last replied. "I am aware of the consequences, however, they are meaningless now. My will to live died with my wife. If Lord Bernhard grants my last request, I will never see God in this life or the next. How can you not want eternity, too?"
"How?" Joachim shoved his chair back and levitated to stare down at the man with growing abhorrence. He bared his fangs and sent his plate crashing off the table and to the floor with a swipe of his arm. No sooner had he done it than he felt Walter's gauntlet-covered hand slap him across the face. The blow was so quick and powerful that his levitating form staggered back, his face a mask of horror and rage as his hand flew to his cheek, nursing the wound inflicted by his lord.
When his loathing gaze fell upon Walter, the red-haired lord's eyes blazed furiously. "You will hold your tongue!" Walter snapped, baring his fangs at the sight of the young man's glowering expression.
An uncomfortable silence ensued before Mathias attempted to return the vampire lord's attention back to their conversation. "I hardly consider an immortal life a foolish choice, for it is the desire of every human, whether they wish to admit it or not. I am one of the few who seeks it out. In exchange, I offer the life of another that shall, hopefully, provide you some entertainment."
Mathias's gaze returned to Walter when the vampire leaned returned to his seat, his armored frame leaning forward in mounting interest. "Another life?" Walter inquired while smiling darkly at the implication. In the torchlight, his pallid flesh gleamed with a deadly kind of beauty that, for a moment, drew Joachim's attention. Walter was so absorbed in the conversation that he did not even notice the white-haired youth's disapproving scowl. Joachim could barely believe that both the knight and Walter were discussing human lives with such casual indifference. In fact, he suspected the knight was almost proud, for coldness in his eyes showed little to no emotion.
Mathias bowed his head as his cold words outlined the arrangement he had in mind. "My trusted comrade, Baron Leon Belmont, is betrothed to a merchant's daughter. Though their marriage was arranged, he fell in love with her. I know he would do anything to ensure her safety. His love for her knows no limits. The Baron and I have fought countless battles…and to this day our company remains undefeated. " After pausing for a moment, a slight grin appeared across his delicate lips when he added smoothly. "I offer you the greatest game you shall ever play. It will be a game to die for, I assure you…"
Walter leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. He folded his hands and rested both elbows on the table, his eyes glinting. "I will consider your offer, Lord Cronqvist. Perhaps we can come to an agreement."
Mathias swiftly shook his head and answered. "Baron Belmont is preoccupied with the Crusades at this present time, though he is due to return home shortly to wed. This must be completed prior to that."
Walter's smirk abruptly faded, and he rose from his chair and began to walk about the room. His long black cape swished with his steps, as his boots thumped over the marble floor. Joachim watched such a sight in silence, his eyes ablaze still from the topic they discussed. However, his lips refused to utter another objection – for the moment. "So," The red-haired lord remarked. "I am to base my decision on the schedule of a human? Do not be ridiculous. I did not say I would accept your offer. What makes you think I would even let you leave my castle, alive?"
"I decided to entrust you with my life because I believe you are reasonable. Do as you will, for I am in no position to dispute you, if you wish to kill me." Mathias rose from his chair and bowed. His long, chestnut hair fell against his smooth face as he raised his head and continued calmly."I considered no one else to turn to except you. Everyone knows your name and fears your unmatched abilities." A low chuckle parted through Walter's lips, and he cocked his head and refrained from speaking. Carefully, Mathias approached, staring directly at the vampire while ignoring Joachim's disapproving scowl. "Even if you do not accept." He continued. "I am grateful for the fact you listened to my request."
As Joachim watched them, his muscles tensed anxiously. He felt his hands clench into fists, and without hesitation bounded out of his chair once again, allowing his swords to encircle around him. "You are fortunate that I am not the one who will decide. Humans are not meant to be immortal and do not deserve it." Though his words were bold, Walter merely tossed his head in response, allowing tendrils of his crimson hair to cascade against his ivory cheeks. As though a
mosquito was buzzing in his ear, he emitted a huff and waved his hand dismissively at the young man. Joachim felt his entire body tremble upon realizing that his lord admired the human's tenacity. He wished he felt the same amount of adore, for the knight's willingness to die disturbed him greatly.
Nevertheless, his pale blue eyes primarily focused themselves on Walter's tall, foreboding frame. If the vampire lord wished it, he could have killed the man. A voice screamed inside his mind for his lord to do it, ending the conversation with a final, merciless swipe of his gauntlet-covered fist. Even though it was none of his concern, he wondered what would possess a man to betray his own comrade. He did not know the extent of Mathias' friendship with the Baron, however, the man's intimate knowledge was telling. Indeed, a part of him pitied the trusting Baron. Mathias' confidence indicated that the Baron was truly ignorant of the betrayal. For a moment, he considered intervening himself. If his mind willed it, one of his swords could cut the man in half with a single swipe. Yet, he remained where he sat, unable – or more likely – unwilling to be the decider of fate. The young man's lips curled at the thought. Let humans suffer and die. I have already sacrificed myself to save what is not worth saving.
"I did not journey all this way to return without gain." Mathias pressed, his steady gaze wavering to Joachim for a moment. Without needing to speak, he knew that the young vampire had considered killing him. Nevertheless, in spite of the possibility, Mathias' determination was unyielding. The man embraced death as though it marked the salvation of his soul, rather than its destruction. "Once your part of our agreement is fulfilled, Lord Bernhard, I will ensure mine is in exchange."
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Walter's dark eyes remained locked on the man, his confident expression masking his thoughts. Despite Walter's intrigue, Joachim sensed he was hesitating. He could almost feel the other vampire's body tensing. Kill him! Joachim's thoughts raged against his composed exterior. For a moment, Walter lowered his head, his dark eyes casting themselves upon the floor. His fine, graceful lips, formed a slight frown whilst his blood-red hair splayed across his shoulders in thick, beautiful coils. The vampire lord's calm silence consumed the young man. He looked into Walter's starlit eyes, attempting to capture their secrets, for a gentleness had suddenly appeared within them. Without looking at the knight, Walter extended his hand, his voice falling strangely quiet. "Come before me, human. I have decided to grant your request."
Joachim's eyes widened and his breath hitched in his chest. Walter…why? What do you see in this wretched man to grant him this fate? Nothing about his lord's decision made sense – and the harder he tried to understand it, the more frustrated it made him. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself into silence, though his storming thoughts denied him peace. Only a depraved mind would seek out this fate willingly. I pray this is not something Walter will regret. Though, it pains me to admit it… Another part of him knew that if something ill occurred he might welcome it with open arms. He despised himself for his momentary concern over Walter's interests. It would not happen again – he tried to convince himself…
A slow smile pierced the vampire's lips, which parted to reveal his protruding fangs. Without hesitating, the knight allowed Walter to grasp him by the front of his robes. For a moment, the vampire gazed at the flesh as his cold, lifeless hand pushed back the collar. Joachim looked away, wanting to close his eyes but they refused to shield him from the sight. At last, Walter plunged his fangs into the man's neck. His eyes widened to meet his trembling lips, his body frozen in place as if turned into a statue. He lowered his head, his mind reeling the longer he heard Walter's pleasured growls echo throughout the room. Sounds he vaguely remembered hearing on the night his soul was defiled by the vampire's bite. If the young man had any color left, all of it drained away as he stood, watching another soul fall into darkness. Walter's willingness to take life made the image both terrifying and fascinating. He despised the fact that he could look upon it without even shedding a tear. If he had any tears left, he could not shed them, for a part of his broken soul had no strength left to cry.
Not even being bit by Walter could make a cry of pain sound through Mathias' lips. When it seemed like the vampire would drain the man completely dry, Walter reluctantly lifted his head away. Blood streamed down the curves of Mathias' exposed neck, sliding beneath his clothing and down his arm, until it appeared beneath his sleeve and stained the rings on his hands red. The brutal sight was rivaled only by the glazed look in Walter's eyes. Without looking at the man's pale form, the red-haired lord tossed the body onto the floor. A grin flashed across the vampire's lips as Mathias' blood streamed from the corners of his mouth. "Are you hungry, Joachim? Come and dine with me – he will sleep until his transformation is complete." The other lord approached the table and sat down, quickly picking at the food on his plate. "Pity, this meal has gone cold. I suppose I must engage in shorter conversation in the future. Lord Cronqvist was rather amusing with his rants about God, but God forbid an entire meal wasted."
It took all of his restraint to avoid sending one of his swords at his lord's head. With a feral snarl, he hissed. "I am not hungry, especially after watching you feed."
Walter took a large bite from a piece of bread and leaned forward, his dark eyes glancing from Joachim and the swords aligned behind his back. Evidently, aware of the young man's fleeting thought to attack him. With an impatient huff he replied. "Mathias was a willing sacrifice." A dangerous glint appeared within the red-haired lord's starlit eyes, which remained locked upon the youth amidst his thinning patience. "I am disappointed with your conduct, Joachim. Do not ever question my judgment in front of a guest again! Lest you have forgotten, I am the master of this castle."
A tiny smirk appeared briefly across the young man's lips when he replied silkily. "Is your confidence so low you are compelled to remind me of it constantly? I need not hear it again-"
Walter abruptly rose from the table, his dark eyes flashing a shade of bright crimson when he roared. "Enough! Get out of my sight you wretched little cur! Return to your sulking, for it seems that is all you are capable of doing, willingly!"
The other lord raised his hand threateningly, prepared to use his powers to strike the young man from across the room. Joachim immediately floated back toward the door, a twinge of fear seeping within his pale blue irises. Like a dog scolded by its master, his head lowered, for he was unwilling to dignify Walter's insult with a response. The young man's silence prompted the red-haired lord to flick his hand in annoyance whilst he reprimanded him.
"You are not above serving me, Joachim! If I tell you to do something, you will do it without question. I cannot eat with that human lying there. Take him someplace to rest until he awakens!" The harshness in Walter's voice left no opportunity for further objection.
If he refused to depart with Mathias he would face his lord's wrath. Though the steely look in Joachim's eyes was obvious, he refrained from pushing his lord too far. He bowed, his ivory hair curtaining around his ashen visage whilst he replied shortly. "As you wish…" His eyes glanced to Mathias' body sprawled across the floor. He concentrated on the human with his mind until he succeeded in lifting the man into the air so that it floated behind him. Although it was an eerie sight, his slender form swept toward the door without a backward glance, refusing to look at Walter's smirking face. He had to use almost all of his power to keep Mathias suspended.
By the time he reached the small room with the stone angel, he almost dropped the man on the floor when a sudden feeling of tiredness overwhelmed him. He ignored it as best he could, managing to gently set the fallen knight at the base of the angel. Mathias was naturally pale, however his flesh had taken on a ghostly white tone. The man's head lolled to one side with wisps of his chestnut locks falling untidily around his face and below his shoulders. If he had not known better, he would have mistaken him for being dead. There was no sign of breathing, no movement or flicker of life. He does not understand what he has wrought upon himself. Someday he will realize he made a mistake… his eyes lingered on the fresh bite mark clearly visible in the flesh of his neck. The mark was red and swollen from the two puncture marks of fangs. He turned and swiftly hurried to the door, almost forgetting to usher it open when he made his way into the corridor. The castle was enveloped in an eerie silence, which only heightened his disarray until he looked at the five round stone tablets on the platform leading to different wings of the castle. He chose a random disc in the floor and stood upon it, not caring where he went as long as it was away from the sleeping man. Within seconds, a white light surrounded the stone, and he felt the object lift off the ground.
Joachim drifted off the teleport disc, only to notice it had taken him to an overgrown garden.
He looked around in amazement and glided his floating body over the stone covered ground, which was cracked and worn, though ornately beautiful because of the unique patterns carved into it. The stone, along with the garden itself, was illuminated by streams of pale moonlight filtering through the high windows. His eyes were drawn to a carving rendition within a flat tablet between the pillars that portrayed a graceful woman with her hands clasped together as if praying. It was ironic to see something that was so serene, in what he knew was a place crawling with monsters, the kinds of which no man had ever lived to tell about. He looked up at the stained glass windows lining the walls of its massive space, which allowed the moonlight to filter through and create three circular beams across the floor. Patches of grass grew near the walls. The garden's moonlit atmosphere gave the illusion of daytime.
He made his way to the door at the far end of the room, where not to his surprise skeleton monsters awaited him. He watched their jerky movements, his ears twitching upon hearing the sounds of their bones clicking over the stone floor. Perhaps, when he was a naïve little boy, he would have laughed at their ridiculous motions, which resembled marionettes on a string. The creatures were painfully slow, even for monsters. Despite their swinging clubs, his swords would be able to shatter them to pieces instantly. Although he thirsted for the opportunity to fight, knowing they would make excellent target practice, they stared at him with their glowing red eyes. Not a moment had passed when they spun around and fled from him in fear.
It seems they know about my connection to Walter.
The moment Joachim approached the stone doors; he paused when he looked at one of the patches of grass near the wall where a small clump of flowers grew. His eyes narrowed at the sight, but his body felt mechanically drawn to them, which he did not resist until he came upon the flowers and gazed down at them solemnly. Violets were Catherine's favorite flower…and here they grow before me as if cursing me of her memory. He picked a single violet. his lips began to tremble while his fingers trailed down the soft petals of the violet, until he drew the flower closer to him and sniffed is sweet scent. He turned away from the patch of grass, still holding the flower. After passing through a wide darker passageway lined with torches flicking a strange purple fire, he felt his hands tighten around the stems of the violets.
He wandered through several hallways complete with dimly lit torches. Occasionally, he entered large open rooms, and one of which contained a massive colored plant with roots beneath its large enclosed flower that was able to move it slowly across the floor. Joachim paused and watched it move away from him and to the wall, where it stopped and remained. Again he continued on his way, all the while noticing as he went deeper into the garden area vines grew thicker over the stone floor and walls, and the pleasant smell of flowers enticed his senses. He listened to the trickling sound of water running through the walls, and felt the dampness condensate upon his cold skin.
He moved through a massive open square shaped room, where he looked up and caught a glimpse of the starry night sky. The cold air made puffs of his breath escape into the blackened sky, and at the far corner of the room was the door alit by candlelight that was sustained in candleholders along the walls. Above perched on a ledge that surrounded the highest part of the walls he noticed a large gargoyle. For a moment he gazed up at it in curiosity, until he noticed the creature's glowing red irises. It resembled a dragon with a long beak like a bird and a lizard tail. Joachim watched it open its wings wide and fan them out, before it leapt off the ledge and flapped noisily toward him. "What do you want?" he asked it reproachfully, glaring up at it and not forgetting to ready his swords.
"I am not here to bother you, milord." The gargoyle hissed. "It seems many have taken a liking to your presence."
The young man glared up at it momentarily, watching the creature encircle above him in the air. Occasionally it swooped down to get a closer look, but quickly veered away when one of his swords threatened to slash it into rubble. "Oh really." He replied, allowing a slight smirk to play across his lips upon staring at the strange creature. "Why? I have had nothing to do with your like since my arrival here, and I find most monsters like you to be quite the nuisance." He brushed away a strand of his shoulder length white hair, giving the impression of ignoring the gargoyle despite its persistence.
"That is exactly the reason. Unlike Walter, you do not treat us as though we are nothing-"
"Of all things, I am talking to piece of stone…" Joachim shook his head and sighed, hardly glancing at it until it hissed again. "It is because of creatures like you, many who come here have died!"
"Walter is our master and we must obey him. The plants whisper…they say you hate the one who made you immortal."
"What do you not understand about minding your own affairs?" He held up a hand and drifted further to the door, however within the candlelight he stopped and sighed upon hearing nothing except silence besides the wordless flapping of the gargoyle. "Go and tell Walter if you seek his favor, for the consequences matter little to me." He turned around to stare at the gargoyle once again, only to see it flapping in place in the air staring back.
"We do not desire to tell our master anything." It replied, and Joachim's eyes widened when it continued. "Quite the contrary, we shall keep silent. Milord, we do not desire conflict with you now. We have learned you, though vastly above us, demand respect. Respect is what you shall receive."
Joachim's brow furrowed with his scathing answer. "Why? Why do you monsters wish to do that if Walter is one whom you must respect? I want nothing to do with your kind-"
"If you are to be the victor in this, we shall not hesitate to reside under your bidding."
He folded his arms once again and tapped his fingers with perplexity. "I am not interested in ruling over this God-forsaken place." His voice trailed away while his eyes watched the gargoyle flap higher into the air until it seated itself back where it had once been on the ledge. The creature blinked several times and turned its head to stare down at him.
"None of us know what you intend." It hissed quietly. His face became expressionless as he resumed to drift toward the door, but again the gargoyle replied in fainted warning. "Be wary, milord, during your exploration through this garden."
He sighed and without turning to look at it he rolled his eyes and snapped. "What do you mean? If you are merely trying to toy with me, I will make dust out of you!"
One of his swords tinted red to confirm his statement, and without hesitation the monster swiftly hissed. "She has not been in a good mood lately and has become quick to anger."
Joachim turned in place again and looked up at the gargoyle. "What are you talking about?" he inquired sharply, however the gargoyle closed its eyes and resumed to be as still as its stone surface defined. With a shake of his head, he drifted to the door and waved it open to leave the room.
Upon entering another hallway, he realized he had not been in a good mood in a long time. The thought made his eyes burn anxiously, but he drifted through various hallways and similar rooms. No monsters attacked him, but some were quite peculiar. It wasn't until he approached the path to the door on the opposite side that one suddenly burst from the earth and made him jump back. It was a tall plant-like skeleton, its stem and flower made almost entirely out of bone with the exception of its strange closed red petals. It excreted a puff of green mist into the air, and swayed lazily when he stared up at its frame in astonishment.
He drifted to the wooden door on the other side and entered through it, passing along rooms that resembled the same and consumed with plants until at last he entered a room surrounded on its entire hexagon formed walls by massive statues. The statues were made of a dark yellow stone and had the sitting body of a cat, a long neck almost like a snake's body but thicker, and the face of a human. On the backs of the statues were folded wings. They were so bizarre he stopped and stared at them, almost failing to see that a door was hidden behind one of them. Upon sighting it, he sent his swords hacking at the stone creature until it crumbled before him. The youth flew toward the door and opened it, curious to see where it led. He wandered down the lengthy hallway, seemingly drawn to what lay behind the door. It was a larger door than most others, and the second he approached a strange power overwhelmed him.
His eyes glinted as he levitated inside the room, and found himself in a massive square shaped room with various small pillars connected to the walls on all sides, and complete with strange engravings. The room's floor was tiled with circular patterned square tiles that made an intricate design of dark brown and gold on the floor. Leading to each wall of the room was a tiny pathway of tiles, and he leisurely followed one until it led him to the wall where the stones which formed an alcove in the wall. "What are those? Are they…" he paused when he floated closer and reached out to touch one of the statues.
The statues depicted knights holding their weapons. One had a rounded shield in front of him with his sword drawn and held out, another was on its hands and knees and bent over as if in pain, and the one in front of him was leaning back with its hands held up and its face turned to one side as if in the middle of a scream. The one next to the central statue looked as if it was in the middle of a run, while the last was staring directly at him. What are these for? They look so realistic that they do not seem to fit in with this garden atmosphere… he narrowed his eyes and leaned back, before he floated away from the wall only to find two more of the strange statues hidden in the darkness near the pillars by the wall. "What…?" his eyes widened at the sight, and though he did need to breathe he gasped sharply upon hearing a voice resound through the room.
"I am glad to see there is an admirer of my work. Those are not mere statues, for I prefer the more realistic proportions…as realistic as you are."
He whirled in place and glanced in panic around the room, until his gaze fell upon the wall directly behind him at the opposite side where the bust of a large portrait of a woman was carved. His eyes tinted but remained drawn to the image, where facing his were eyes made of stone to meet an almost seductive yet wicked expression of a woman. Instead of having hair, numerous snakes projected from her scalp with their mouths frozen open, revealing the points of razor sharp fangs. As his eyes fell upon her, parts of the stone crumbled when the head of the womanly creature suddenly detached itself from the wall. Joachim quickly found himself staring into yellow colored eyes, and a partially opened mouth that fully exposed her sharpened teeth. There were seven snakes that accompanied her, three on either side of her face, and the last above her forehead in the center. The vampire levitated backward toward the wall, nearly colliding with one of the stone statues, not daring to turn his back for a moment.
"So," Joachim tried to look away. "Those statues were once…human. Now I know what you are…" he formed his lips into an expressionless state, and he avoided looking at her face.
The same loud hisses sounded from the snakes as they flicked their forked tongues between their lips. Her voice was not at all pleasant to listen to, almost altered to a sound that gave it an ever-present serration. "It is not often I get to meet someone so intriguing – as well as handsome. You also seem to have good taste. Is my art impressive?" A strange, yet gruesome smile, creased the corners of her lips.
Joachim kept his face tilted toward the stone floor. Instead he watched the light swirl pattern of the tiles as if they were more interesting than the monster in front of him. "That is not art, for art is created from the mind. You merely created them from your gaze." He snapped, and slowly looked up to face her.
All at once her eyes flashed with anger, and her voice rose along with the hissing sounds from the seven snakes. "How dare you insult me!"A smirk crossed the corner of his lips, and he raised his head to stare her directly in her eyes. Tendrils of his ivory hair swished with his movement and fell around his face in silken strands, as the purple mist surrounding his body intensified.
"You will sincerely regret your insults! I shall not tolerate them, for you have become quite an annoyance to me!"
Joachim cocked his head to one side, observing her ever-growing impatience but maintaining his expression in the same form. "I have no wish to continue speaking with you. I can see why you receive few visitors. Perhaps, they would rather be turned to stone than look at you."
"What insolence! You had better hope I make your death less painful than I have in mind, for that is the last defiance I shall receive from you!" Another loud hiss sounded from the snakes, and from her lips when she floated forward toward him to lessen the gap between them. Joachim levitated back, and yet again almost crashed into one of the statues right behind him. He felt part of the blade one held in its hand hit against the blade of one of the swords aligned near his back.
Her eyes glowed momentarily, and Joachim continued to remain where he was until her voice calmed upon hearing no reply from him. "A brat like you will not deter me. I would very much enjoy adding you to my gallery, for you have a rather lovely appearance – slender yet defined and smooth. It makes me wonder how I shall present you after I turn your beautiful body into a statue." His thoughts wandered to his swords, however the closer she came to nearly being upon him, the more his defiance became known. "The last thing I desire is to damage my newest addition, and I will have to make this process equally as swift to end it here and now. Turn to stone!" Beams shot from her eyes and moved across the floor.
Joachim attempted to dart out of the path of the two glowing beams, however they glided overtop him but he felt nothing. "Foolish wretch, I am a vampire! Your stone changing powers are ineffective against me!" His smirk became more prevalent across his lips, which in turn caused a glint to reflect within his eyes.
"If you cannot die, I can at least make you suffer! I shall grind you into the ground and when you are near begging for forgiveness I will take you as my servant." Her voice rasped in an enraged hiss, while her floating head darted at him and the snakes on either side of her face hissed and lashed out with their teeth.
Joachim skillfully darted away from her lashes, ignoring the snapping jaws of the snakes but taking note of their sharp gleaming teeth. Once he had distanced himself, his hands clenched into fists. "That little statement has just caused me to become greatly annoyed, which you will soon regret!"
Without hesitation he glared at her when she moved to turn and face him again, and the pointed blades of his swords were sent forth one after another as fast as lightning. The blades hit her directly as a loud screech sounded from her lips as they returned to him and encircled around his body. "Damn you!"She growled loudly as the snakes reached their jaws for the floor and ripped out pieces of the tile. Joachim stared until the snakes tossed the debris feebly at him, which he dodged aside and avoided. Yet again he sent his blades forth, swiping sideways at her in the air and drawing blood over the floor when they struck her face.
Her yellowed eyes pulsated in rage, as a scornful laugh parted from his lips and he tossed his head back. "Weak and pathetic. I think I will use you for target practice snake demon, since I have nothing but time, it seems…" he levitated slightly higher off the floor when she moved her body upward over the tile and turned her frame so her face looked directly downward. Another growl sounded from her lips when she opened her mouth wider and allowed a torrent of snakes to slither out and move over the floor. Joachim wrinkled his face at the sight. He sent his swords swiping at her while she sent the snakes at him, however since he levitated they could not reach him. Joachim watched more of her blood fill the air upon being slashed by the sideward swipes of the blades, and once they returned she righted herself to face him and moved across the floor in his direction, spilling bloody tears in her wake.
Again his swords returned to encircle him, and he quickly sent them out in her direction as she moved to charge forward at him. In the blink of an eye the swords severed each of the snakes from her form and caused them to fall onto the floor in heaps. A chuckle vibrated through his throat in response, as the severed snake heads hissed and wriggled like worms on the floor around where she floated. Within a moment her head lost its balance and crashed onto the floor, and Joachim responsively drifted toward where her head lay. Upon seeing the wriggling snake parts all over the floor, he allowed one of his swords to swipe downward at it and hit it up into the air. Instantly another sword bounced the snakehead and neck to keep it in the air, as the swords hit it between one another while a chuckle parted through Joachim's lips. A loud screech sounded from her lips in response while she staggered her breaths. "I…will…not be defeated! You, vampire…shall regret this…Walter will…"
His eyes narrowed while he floated back toward the door, ignoring her haggard breaths while he waved it open and left the room, refusing to look back.