Authors' Note:

Hello, hello. Again, sorry for the late chapter updates, time is short and all. But still, we're moving right along. I won't say much else, just enjoy another OC chapter! (Or skip, if you're not into that…)

-Tangent

Why was it so dark? The man stirred slightly, opening his eyes only to find that he could see nothing but an empty blackness, as though he had been blinded. He felt… strange, not like himself.

Wait a minute, who was he? Distant memories of a previous life swirled through his mind, but he could not hang on to any of them long enough to remember. Other images were present too: A village, swept up in a sea of fire. Cowering innocents waiting for death as a creature with pale skin hovered over them, a cruel smile lighting its face. He had to go, had to help, but before he could find the strength to move, a flash of red light swept it all away.

You belong to me now, Horace. Was that his name? It felt as though it had been so long since he had been called by a name such as that.

"No." The whisper left his mouth of its own accord, and the darkness seemed to recede slightly. He seemed to be lying down, and the man flexed his left arm experimentally. His limbs felt different, too: stronger and thinner than before. His clothes were made of some noiseless material, including a cloak that seemed to swirl underneath him.

Get up. The order rang in his head, and his legs moved slowly as his body raised itself to his full height. I have another order for you. The darkness was wiped away, replaced with an oddly familiar sight: a pool of water, glistening with light from some unknown source. It was a few feet away, and yet he could see nothing of what lay within.

Your brethren still terrorize the land, so why have you returned? Brethren? Were there others like himself, trapped within this faceless void? He tried to think of an excuse, but the feminine voice spoke again, this time with amusement.

Perhaps you still think that you can resist me? Horace moved closer to the pool, until he was standing over the reflective surface. His knees buckled, and his hands fell limply to his side as he beheld the image in the pool. A pale monster, with stark white hair and gleaming fangs, accompanied by ivory skin. Dark cloth was wrapped around his torso, billowing behind him as the red eyes gleamed in the darkness.

"No." He managed to whisper again, and a cruel laugh echoed throughout his prison chamber.

You see? You are nothing but a monster now, and you will obey me. Whatever life you had, whatever things you loved, they are mine to control now. So you will do my bidding. Or else… The darkness surged, and six figures appeared from the swirling cloud. Their forms were indistinct, but each bore the same set of glowing red eyes, burning with malice and hatred. I will punish them instead. He lurched forward, reaching out desperately to touch the figures, but they were swept away as soon as they had appeared.

Now… go. Without the will to fight the command, the vampire let him be pulled away in a flash of blinding red light…

His face tingled in the cool air as he stalked forward, steps crunching on the dirt beneath him. Around him, fires raged as they consumed wood and stone alike, burning with magical fervor at his command. The night was cloudy with smoke, and he could not see the stars. As his gaze came back to earth, he saw them, huddled against a collapsed wall in a futile effort to hide. The other beasts would come soon, but he had his orders. As his feet touched the ground, the girl let out a terrified squeak.

No. He tried to speak, tried to stop moving, but his limbs moved inexorably onward, reaching out for the humans huddled against the wall. Please, stop. Don't make me do this. He was a foot away now, and the father foolishly lunged at him. A mere flick of his unwilling hand, and the man was flung aside as easily as casting a stone.

"Please…" The mother begged, but there was to be no mercy from the vampire, even as he struggled with all his might to stop his hands from closing on her throat. Her daughter cowered even as her mother was lifted off the ground, choking and flailing.

Goddess, anything but this! A quiet snap, and the woman fell limply to the ground. He was shaking internally, every inch of him trying to pull away even as his eyes turned to the little girl. She was not looking now, and his palms glowed red as they aimed themselves at the small figure.

No… No! A wordless scream was torn from him, and the red light grew brighter and brighter still…

And then… nothing at all. Horace opened his eyes slowly, still braced for the horrors he had committed. Instead, he was standing in the middle of a small, rocky cave, with no discernible entrance or exit.

"Am I dead?" He said, and he was astonished to hear his voice resound in the small space. "Why can I finally speak?" He glanced down at himself, but he was still in the form of a vampire, his clothes stained with something he fervently hoped was not blood.

"You are not dead, Horace." The calm voice came from behind him, and he turned to see an elderly woman approaching, wearing robes of the purest white and gold. Her eyes glowed with raw power, and he knew instantly that he was nothing to the figure that descended from her holy realm to deal with him personally.

"Have you come to kill me?" He asked, and his voice cracked. "To end my suffering, Goddess?" The woman shook her head as she approached, examining him with something like caution.

"I cannot do that."

"Why?" He begged. "You have power over all! Why did this happen to all of us?" The deity seemed slightly taken aback by his question, and he thought he saw sadness in those golden eyes.

"What has happened cannot be undone. Nay, it is part of a greater story that is unfolding as we speak. I pulled you from the Land of Man as you were about to slay that girl." The words were harsh, but the Goddess's tone was not. Instead, she seemed to understand that his body was no longer his to control.

"Is this Aveyond, then?" Horace asked.

"No. I cannot let a creature like you inside, nor any others. We are merely in a space that is… different, detached from the mortal plane."

"What about the others?" He asked desperately. "Amari, Edward, Cigne… Vincent… Where are they?"

"I am afraid that I do not know." The woman said solemnly. "The witch's power hides them from me. Perhaps I should begin from the start of the tale, before your lives were torn asunder by dark magic." The Goddess waved a hand, and a small fountain sprouted in the center of the cave. The water began to swirl as Horace peered into it, and images formed on the surface as his companion began to speak.

"Your village was a bit of an experiment on my part, to see whether or not mortal souls could exist peacefully in Aveyond. It is not well known, but only those who have already died can enter my realm, meaning their souls alone pass through my gates. However, your village was an exception. I took all of the people, along with the village itself, and moved it to a remote location within Aveyond."

"So… our home… is not Aveyond?" Horace asked.

"That depends on what you consider to be home. Your whole lives were spent under my care, and everything was going well. But still, I knew things could not last. The witch came, and she began to notice your presence. The idea of human souls, to be used for experiments, was too much for her to resist, which is why she began to bother you." Horace's knees hit the floor, and the vampire gazed weakly up at the ceiling.

"And I gave her a child."

"Yes, you did, but you do not share the blame for what happened. You had no way of knowing."

"And so Erik was…"

"The first of the monstrosities, yes." The man felt tears welling in his eyes, but he did not let them fall. "And so she waited, until she had enough power and underlings to attack your village. You know as well as I what happened next."

"Yes." Horace said, reliving those days of constant error as he had fled the witch's wolves, searching for the place Vincent had gone. "But why did this have to happen?"

"It was ordained." The Goddess said calmly, staring down at him with a serene expression.

"But why? Couldn't you have protected us, like you do your other spirits?"

"The ancient laws forbid me from interfering in matters of prophecy. To undo them would be tantamount to undoing the fabric of Aveyond."

"W… What?" Horace had stopped, turning to look at the elderly woman. "What prophecy?"

"The witch has taken yours and every other soul from your village. With them, she will rampage on a scale the likes of which we have never known. The mortal world will be devastated."

"Then what can we do?"

"Two elves will come to the Land of Man." The deity said. "They will come from another world, and it is their destiny to stop the witch's plans. But they cannot succeed without help."

"And how can I do this?" Horace demanded, rising to his full height. "I am nothing anymore, nothing at all! My soul was already ensnared."

"If that is true, why are you here right now?" The woman said simply, and Horace stared at her in confusion. "How is it that you still have a mind of your own?"

"I… I don't know." The vampire admitted.

"I brought you here for two reasons, Horace: To tell you what you must do, and to enable you to do what you must. I have driven her presence from your mind right now, but be warned: Any use of her powers will eventually allow her to control you once again. When she does, she will not make the same mistake twice, and you will be lost."

"Then what hope do we have?"

"There is one thing that could stop her, and it will be needed before the end. You must find it, Horace." The Goddess began to shimmer, and the vampire lurched forward, reaching out for the figure.

"What? What must I seek?"

"You already know, but I can give you one last piece of knowledge: It has been sent where all other souls go to be judged." The form of the woman began to glow, and Horace bit back at sob as she began to disappear.

"Wait! Please! I don't know what to do."

"Find it, Horace. Or else the prophecy cannot come to fruition." The woman whispered, and then she was gone, as though she had never been. Behind him, the pool of water evaporated, and the cave began to rumble. Slowly, one side of the rock wall slid aside, revealing a passage in the stone. The vampire slid to the ground, tears trickling down his face.

"Why must this be me?" There was no answer, and his head bowed as he mourned the loss of his friends.

When enough time had passed, Horace opened his eyes, gazing upon the exit to the rocky chamber. He could see a faint source of light ahead, and it beckoned to him, calling his name.

I must go. No doubt she will find me if I stay here. The vampire rose to his feet, adjusting his cloak around him, and swept from the cave in a swirl of black and white.

As he rounded a corner, a scent hit him, and his eyes widened.

"Rain." He whispered, and his feet moved faster as he burst through a wall of moss and into the cold, rainy earth. He stood there, marveling at the feel of the earth underneath his feet, and at the coolness of the rain as it splattered on his face. It had been so long since he had felt anything besides emptiness and pain, and he reveled in the memories that rushed back to him. He saw Amari and Edward, walking through the rain, saw other villagers sitting next to a fire as they took shelter from the chilly weather, and for once, he did not feel as though he had nothing to live for any longer. He felt… alive.

Finally, he opened his eyes and looked around. He seemed to be standing at the edge of a forest, comprised of dark trees and a brown earth. The sky was dark grey, and the clouds stretched for miles and miles. In the distance, he could see mountains that stretched upwards to the sky.

"The Land of Man." He whispered. The raw energy of the mortal plane lashed against his undead body, and he flinched. At least he would not disintegrate, as other undead creatures did in the day. From his cave, a small path led away into the forest, and he began following it into the woods. His senses were sharp, so much sharper than they had been when he was a human, and he could sense the presence of nearby creatures. He knew he could do more, but the Goddess's warning rang in his ear.

"Use of her powers will eventually let her control you."

"Then I suppose I'm walking." He murmured as his feet squelched on the muddy ground. "But where exactly am I going?" This was true, he did not know where his feet were taking him. But still, it felt a though there was a warm hand on his back, pushing him down an unknown path. It was guiding him south, as if to say that his destination lay just over the horizon. And so Horace walked, not knowing what fate awaited him, nor whether the witch was watching him, even at that very moment.

Hours passed, and he did not tire, nor did he stop moving. His feet moved of their own accord, guiding his undead body closer and closer to the place where he was supposed to be.

What must I find? He recalled the Goddess's instruction, but he did not know what to look for. Was it a weapon of some sort? A spell? And then, even as the thoughts entered his mind, the answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and he stopped dead in his tracks as his breath caught in his throat. The amulet! He recalled sending it away, just before he had been captured, and his mind began to race as he considered the possibilities.

Where could it have gone? The Goddess said it was a place where souls went to be judged, but… I cannot return to Aveyond in this form. Could there be another place? His feet began moving once more, even as he continued eliminating certain possibilities.

He had just passed between two trees when he felt it: a presence, lurking somewhere behind him. He whirled around, black swishing as the forest fell silent. There was nothing except trees and mist, but he knew not to be fooled. And then, he heard it: a low growl, echoing through the forest. From the mist, two red eyes appeared, and his heart sank.

It's one of her wolves. The beast came closer, and he took a step back. What does it want? Suddenly, the creature let out a howl, and Horace did the only thing he could think of: run. Turning, the vampire bolted through the trees at a supernatural speed. He was surprised at his own abilities, but he did not have time to question it as a second wolf leapt from the mists, barely missing him with its razor-sharp fangs. More howling ensued, and he darted off the path, leaping over logs and dodging behind trees as the sounds of pursuit continued behind him: baying and howling mixed with the snapping of sticks and the rustling of branches.

I'm not sure how they found me so quickly, but there must be a way to hide from them, else she would already have come after me. Perhaps if I get far enough away, I will be safe. The forest began to move uphill, and he continued moving even as the terrain grew rockier. Was it just his imagination, or were the howls getting farther away? Horace didn't want to stop to check.

Finally, after dragging himself out of the river he had swam in to erase his scent, the pale man collapsed against a rock with a gasp, his lungs spent. Apparently even this body had limits, and he had pushed it straight to them. His red eyes flicked around, making sure he was alone as his breaths began to slow.

I forgot… the feeling of not using any magic. Still, it seemed as though the wolves were no longer tracking him, and he figured he was safe for the moment. Ahead of him, he could see that the forest was beginning to open up into some sort of rocky terrain, and he grimaced. Things were going to get a lot more strenuous.

After he replenished his energy, Horace got to his feet, moving towards the edge of the woods. As he drew nearer, he saw that he was at the base of the mountain range he had seen earlier, from a distance. The gray towers of stone rose high over everything else, as it seemed as though little that was friendly lived upon the slopes. Still, the insistent feeling in his chest pointed him onwards, straight into the heart of the hills, and so he began climbing.

After a few minutes, Horace came to the revelation that he no longer needed food or water, something that made him feel odd. It made sense, being an undead, but the lack of hunger or thirst unnerved him in a way he could not describe.

I'm more monster than human now. Still, he did not let the thought dissuade him from continuing to scale the mountains, and he soon reached the first flatter area, where he took a rest break. Vampires were not built for long-term endurance, but rather for bursts of devastating speed and power. Glancing up at the sky, he saw that sunset was quickly approaching, and he clambered to his feet. Perhaps it would be best to get as far as he could before night fall.

The sky quickly darkened, and it found him huddled in a small cave formed by an overhanging cliff. Apparently his vampiric body was still susceptible to the temperature, which was dropping quickly. Rain was still pouring down, but at least his makeshift shelter was dry. He had grabbed some of the drier timber he could find, piling in front of him as he tried to create a flame.

"Come on…" He muttered, attempting to generate enough friction to start his fire. After a few attempts, he succeeded, and a small flame began to lap hungrily at the fuel set before it. Horace shivered as the cold grew worse, and he instinctively moved closer to the fire, waiting for the heat to build up.

After a few more minutes of painstaking care, the fire was burning heartily, and he relaxed slightly as the warmth spread over him. The air was still cold, but he figured he had enough fuel to last until morning. If not, he could always go out into the rain and find some. Leaning back against the rocky wall, Horace closed his eyes, contemplating everything that had happened.

I hope these elves come soon.

He was not sure what exactly alerted him, not sure what made his eyes snap open, every nerve in his body telling him to run. He peered around the edge of the fire, scanning the darkness, but he saw nothing.

What should I do? The gentle guide in his soul pushed at him, telling him to move, and Horace decided to trust it, as he had done so far. Pulling his hood up, he slipped out of his cave and back into the cold rainy night as quietly as he could.

He had not moved far up the mountain when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he turned around. Below him, he could still see the light cast by his fire, and the monstrous shadow that was creeping across it. The figure seemed to pause, staring at the place he had been moments before, and Horace held his breath. And then, it turned, gazing slowly up the mountains directly to where he was crouching. He could see two gleaming orbs of red scanning the rocks, and he turned is gaze away, not wanting to alert the creature. After several tense moments, the monster turned away, vanishing back into the night, and Horace let out a breath he did not know he'd been holding.

That was too close. I should have expected that she'd send one of the others after me, but clearly the Goddess was right. She expects me to use my powers so she can pinpoint my location, but I can hide by not using them. Still, I suppose the fire was a bad idea. Horace shivered violently, aware that the cold rain was still pouring down upon his body. I need to get farther away first. Returning to the fire would be a death sentence. Turning, the vampire began to make his way deeper into the mountains, sticking to the shadows of rocks and cliffs.

As the chill began to invade his body, his movements slowed, and he found it harder and harder to navigate the rocky landscape. He stumbled once or twice, but somehow he found the strength to keep his legs moving.

Must… keep going. The presence in his chest flared urgently, but he found that his legs were going numb. One slipped sideways, and there was nothing to support him as he tumbled down the mountainside. He felt a blow to his side, then his face, and then many more that all mixed together in a haze of pain.

He did not know how long he'd laid on the ground, but when he came to, the rain was falling onto his face, and he stirred.

How long… He tried to stand, but the effort was too great, and he collapsed onto his side, his breathing raspy. This might be the end for me. Can't feel my legs. Gritting his teeth, Horace pushed upwards, leaning against a rock as jolts of pain ran up his tired legs. But I have to keep moving. I have to! He staggered forward, each step filled with pain. When he fell, he managed to get back up, eyes focused on the mountains ahead of him. And then, he swore he saw a flicker of light somewhere ahead of him. It vanished as soon as it had come, but it was enough to make the presence in his chest beat with fervor, and he staggered towards where he had seen the light.

Light. Light means shelter, warmth. His legs had lost all feeling, but Horace continued to stagger forward, aiming for the respite he knew was somewhere in front of him. But the light did not reappear, and his hope began to fade as his steps slowed. He fell, and the vampire could not find the strength to rise. His arms were losing feeling too, and he could barely see anything through the rainy darkness.

Is this really it? Is this… how my story ends?

"No…" He croaked. "Goddess, help me." And then, over the rain, he heard slow, methodical footsteps from somewhere ahead of him. A large, shadowy figure had emerged from the darkness, and he did not have the strength to cry out any longer. Instead, his eyes began to close, and the last thing he saw was the shadowy figure staring down at him.

I've failed, again.

His eyes snapped open, and arms flailed as he tried to free himself from whatever was wrapped around him. It was warm, and fuzzy, and- He stopped quite suddenly, taking in his surroundings. He was sitting in a small cave, next to a fire that was crackling merrily. The walls were studded with small crystals, and the light bounced off them in a way that made the cave seem much more welcoming. And sitting across from him, covered in dirty and torn clothes, was a man, who was gazing at him calmly.

"I… Where am I? Who are you?" Horace said, tossing his blanket aside.

"Keep the blanket on. You're still defrosting." The man said in a gravelly voice, raising his head to look at the pale figure sitting opposite him. "I pulled you out of that storm a few hours ago, but you clearly aren't some normal person."

"No." Horace said softly. "I'm a monster."

"Perhaps." The man said, gray hair stirring as he gazed into the flames. "I have seen many monsters as of late."

"Then why save me?" Horace said, red eyes gleaming as he held his hands out to the fire.

"Well, you were near dead when I found you outside my cave, and I was going to leave you when I saw your eyes and teeth, but…" The hermit paused, thinking. "There was… a light around you."

"A light?" Horace said.

"Aye, a golden one. I took it as a sign and dragged you in here."

"Then I'm in your debt." Horace said, and the man shrugged. "What do you mean, other monsters?"

"Evil creatures have been attacking travelers passing through here for a few weeks now. I've seen it, many times."

"And where is here?"

"The Dismal Mountains, east of Thais. We're north of Graystone Pass, the main road through the mountains. Don't you know where you are?"

"I'm… not from here." It seemed the simplest explanation he could give without giving too much away.

"Looking like that, I can tell." The man snorted, examining him closely. "What are you, some kind of monster?"

"Pretty much. I'm trying to find a way to undo it, but I'm guessing most people would rather stay away." Horace raised his left hand in greeting. "Horace, at your service."

"And Levi, at yours. Now, where are you headed?"

"West." Horace said simply, standing from his seat on the floor. "I should get going, but can you tell me one more thing?"

"I suppose."

"That monster you saw… what does it look like?" Levi frowned.

"It's big and ugly, with a single eye instead of two." Horace's heart sank. "Why, have you run into it before?"

Edward… I wish I could do something, but there's no way I can do it without my powers. And subduing him is only a surefire way to get caught. Still, I don't want people to get hurt.

"I've seen it." He said dully, handing the blanket back to Levi. "How long have these monster attacks been going on?"

"A few weeks, at least. Thais and the other cities are somewhat safe, but anybody caught in the wild…" Levi trailed off, a grim expression on his weathered face. "They don't last long. I've only survived because I know the caves better than anyone, but if that thing catches me out in the open, I'm done for."

"You're right." Horace said, wrapping his cloak around his pale skin. "Stay as far away from it as you can, and it should leave the mountains soon."

"Say, how do you know all this?" Levi said suddenly. "You turn up out of nowhere, and now another monster's come to this area." Horace turned back to him, pointed teeth gleaming in the dull light.

"You don't want to know. Still, let me give you some advice. If anybody asks, you never saw me or met me. In fact, it might be a good idea to get out of the mountains as soon as possible. That creature will likely follow me, so that should give you an opportunity. Get to Thais, tell the king about the monster attacks, but do not mention me."

"But why?" The man said, eyes locked with his. "What are you caught up in?"

"Something far greater than you might ever know. Just remember this: knowing about me is a death sentence. Get out of here, and forget this ever happened. It's the safest route for you, or anyone, now. You have family in Thais?"

"Candar." Levi said. "To the northwest."

"Then I suggest you get there, and keep them safe." The vampire said as he strode to the entrance of the cave. "Because I get the feeling these monster attacks will only get worse. Stay safe, Levi, and thank you for saving me." The old man opened his mouth, but Horace had already vanished from sight. He slumped down near the fire, eyes wide as he stared in the direction that the mysterious man had disappeared in.

The daylight almost blinded him as he stepped out into the open, causing him to blink furiously. The caves had been nice and dark, but seeing the sun for the first time in so long…

"Where to, then?" He muttered, scanning the area. He had come out on a small cliff that connected two caverns, and it provided him with a view of the mountain pass below. Faintly, he could see a road that led east and west, spiraling off into the distance. The light that resided in him pulsed again, directing him towards the westward road.

"West it is, then." He said, setting off down the sloped path and back into the cavern. The caves, lined with a variety of shining crystals and gray rocks, were remarkably silent as he passed through. The occasional squeak of a rat or the drip of water permeated the air, but the quiet was his companion for much of his journey.

I'd forgotten what real silence felt like. I spent so long with voices inside my head… Now that he thought about it, he did not know how long he had been possessed. Could it have been months, even years? The Oracle had never mentioned. And speaking of, how much longer would he have to wait before the elves came, and how would they arrive? Was he supposed to find them, or would they come to him? Although his knowledge of the realms was shoddy as best, he knew that a being called the Elder Oak watched over the land in conjunction with the Goddess.

I'll drive myself mad thinking about all these questions. My primary focus should be finding the amulet.

After another hour of wandering through the caves, Horace emerged into the sun, now facing the same road that he had glimpsed from his perch above. Thankfully, he saw no other people or creatures nearby, and he raised the hood of his cloak to hide his eyes from view. Although the disguise wouldn't stand up to anything more than a quick glance, it shielded his undead eyes from the sun, which was beginning to give him a headache. And then, with another cursory glance around him, Horace strode off down the road to the west.

It took him a good portion of the day to traverse the mountains, and the sun was beginning to set as the pass opened up around him. He had not seen anybody else, nor had he seen Edward or the other minions dispatched by the witch.

Perhaps the sun weakens their powers, or at least it does for the lesser creatures. I doubt Edward is affected much by it. Still, hopefully I've put a little bit of space between me. And yet, Horace knew better than to hope for something like that. Edward might not be alone in his search for him, and one of the quicker spirits would be able to catch up to him.

As he moved through a narrower part of the canyon he had entered, the walls suddenly opened up, and he found himself gazing out onto a massive, grassy plain that stretched out towards the horizon. To the south, he could see a faint line that was likely water, and two forests to the west and northwest. Thais was out of sight, but he guessed that it was at least another half-days travel away.

I'm not going to Thais, but the main road west likely passes by, which means I can travel a little bit faster. Yanking his hood down once more, Horace began moving at a quick pace, getting the sudden feeling that he was running out of time. Instinctually, he aimed for the forest closest to him, aware that being in the plains would leave him totally exposed. Although he'd have a harder time spotting any searchers, the forest would return the favor to him by shielding him from the same creatures.

After a few more minutes of half-running, half-walking through the long grass, he arrived at the edge of the wood he had set his sights on. Keeping his hood up, he leaned against a tree to restore some of his energy, so that he was mostly hidden from anybody exiting the mountains. The presence in his chest fluttered in a way he had come to realize meant danger, and Horace peeked out from the tree back towards the mountains. It was hard to see through the dimming light, but he thought he saw several figures walking on the road near the mountains. Two towered over the others, and he gulped. The witch had sent reinforcements in the shape of the other behemoth of the group: Erik.

He was the first. Horace felt a pang of guilt, but he tamped it down as he wrapped his cloak around him once more. There would be time to feel remorse later, but he needed to be on the move again. Adjusting his hood, the vampire crept away into the forest, undetected by anything.

Several hours later, in the middle of the night, a small figure exited the mountain pass and disappeared into the nearby grassland, heading for Thais…

Far away, in another realm, the witch paced as she gazed into a crystal mirror, which remained obstinately blank. Behind her cowered two figures: a monstrous birds with lion's features, and a large, bear-like wolf. Their red eyes were gleaming as she turned to survey them, feeling her anger begin to rise.

"It seems Horace has escaped the mountains." Her voice was icy, but her minions did not stir. Why would they, when her command over them was complete? Or so she thought it had been… "Edward and Erik have been unable to find him or the man who hid him from me, so it looks like they'll have to be… punished. You two: get out there and find him. He's heading west, and you need to stop him from reaching whatever destination that thrice-damned Goddess has set for him. Or else…" Her hands filled with a red fire, and the flames lashed out like a whip, striking the griffin across the face. It was driven into the floor, black blood spilling everywhere, but it still managed to rise on shaky legs, red eyes blank. "Now get out." With a flash of light, the two creatures vanished, leaving her alone in her surroundings.

Her house was painted black, with red accents along the walls and ceilings that matched the bloodstained carpets. It had taken many… victims to get it that way, but she felt it was well worth the effort. Still, she could not get over the fact that Horace had been taken, against her will and powers.

"How could this happen?" She snarled, flinging a table against the wall with a crash. "How could she hide him from my sight? What does she want?" Underneath the anger, the witch felt a tremor of fear. If the Goddess knew about her plans, then she might send servants to deal with her, and that would be troublesome in the extreme. The nymphs were powerful, perhaps even a match for her without the amulet. She growled again at the thought of the missing relic. She had no idea where it had gone, nor could it be tracked by any means.

"My plans revolve around it. I must find it before her servants can." She murmured, idly casting a spell over a cauldron on the far wall. "But until then, I must avoid clashing with the Goddess while my spirits seek it out. In fact, that reminds me…" Her black eyes narrowed, and she snapped her fingers, creating two portals of red light. Two hulking beasts lumbered out, their eyes glowing dully as they gazed upon their master. And then, with jerky motions akin to that of a puppet, they knelt upon the floor, shaking the building.

"You two failed to find him, didn't you? And you know the punishment for failure?" A flick of her wrist, and both Edward and Erik were pressed to the floor by an immense force, their bones cracking under the pressure. With another movement, the force twisted in a circle, and the monsters could not stop themselves from letting out dull grunts of pain as their bones were twisted and shattered. The witch held them there for a few moments before releasing them and letting them fall limply. "You'll heal, no doubt, but until then… out of my sight." With another grunt, the two former men dragged themselves from the room slowly, and she smirked. It certainly was fun to indulge her sadistic side, something she normally kept hidden from her family.

"Oh, what fun I will have with you, Horace… After all, there's nowhere you can hide from me now." She cackled as she turned back to her experiments, even as the wind howled outside of her lair. "And I have so many things I want to test…"

Occupied as she was with her schemes, the witch failed to notice as a small shape moved away from the window, where it had been listening the entire time…

Horace stumbled, and his knees hit the ground at the same time as his hands. Panting, he glanced around, making sure he was alone as he caught his breath. It had been two days since he had last seen any trace of the beasts, and he was getting worried.

Did they give up? Or did the witch call them away for something else? His breathing slowed as he pulled himself up, leaning against a rock while he recuperated. He had passed Thais a day prior, and was now making his way through a set of plains with nothing but waist-high grass and the occasional rock to break up the monotony. It had been rough, staying away from the roads, but his dedication had been rewarded, as he could see another mountain range just a few miles away. From what he could tell, the plains curved to the north although he did not know what lay beyond.

I'm getting closer, I can feel it. And yet, he felt uneasy. It was unlikely that he was not still being hunted, but perhaps his attackers had lost his scent temporarily. As he began to run, he considered the possibilities.

Perhaps she's sent one of the others? Edward and Erik aren't particularly fast, but the others might be. I don't know enough about their abilities to judge.

An hour later, he emerged from the tall grass, relieved to see a rocky road that led to the north and south. There was a sign posted nearby, and he hurried over to read it, aware that he was out in the open.

Thais – East

Ravenwood – South

Road to Shaenlir – North

Horace did not recognize the last two names, but he figured north was his best bet, as it seemed to lead towards the mountains. Making his decision, the pale figure began to move north, stepping off the road in order to try and seem more inconspicuous.

For another three hours, he followed the path as it curved to the north, and mountains sprang up to his east as well as west, creating a large natural valley that was bisected by the paved road. There were mountains to the north, but they were much farther away, and he frowned. Something was off, and he did not quite know what it was.

And then, as he reached the crest of a small hill, he saw it: a massive body of water stretching out until it reached the mountains. It curved to the west and out of sight, and his jaw dropped at the sight of so much water. A ways off, he could see what was clearly a small port, with several large boats in the dock.

I've never seen a lake this big. Suddenly, he shivered as a tingle ran up his spine, and he whirled around to look back at the valley he had just crossed. He didn't see anything, but he knew better than to believe his eyes. Something was definitely out there, and it was coming his way.

I'd better get moving. Turning back to the lake, Horace hurried off down the hill, hoping that he would be able to get on one of those boats. Or else… well, he'd likely die.

Thankfully, the dock was mostly deserted, save for the few sailors aboard their own ships, who paid the cloaked man no mind as he strode down the planks, looking back every so often to make sure nothing was following him. Or if they did, they simply chose to ignore it. After all, many strange people passed through her at one time or another.

Horace was sweating as he approached the end of the dock, heading towards one of the boats that a previous sailor had pointed him to.

"Want to cross th' lake? Speak to the captain at the end of the dock, there." He had said, and Horace had merely nodded before continuing on. He stopped in front of the boat, which was smaller than some of the other vessels he had seen, but still a good size nonetheless. A man was standing on deck, and he looked up as Horace raised hand, doing his best to conceal his red eyes.

"I'm looking for passage to the other side of the lake." The man merely grunted before disappearing, returning moments later in the tow of a middle-aged man wearing battered clothes.

"You want passage?"

"Yes, sir." Horace said, and the man grunted.

"You're an odd one, make no mistake. Got any money on you?" His heart sank, and he shook his head.

"I have none, sir. But this is a matter of importance, as well as my safety."

"Well, looks like you ain't getting on, then." The captain said impatiently. "Simple as that, kid. Now, get out of here."

"Please, captain." Horace said. "It is an urgent mission."

"That's what they all say." The man scoffed. "Besides, you've got a strange look about you. Skin like that, some would think that you're a monster."

"I'm not a monster." Horace lied, knowing that it was not the truth. "Can't you help me? I have no time to wait till tomorrow."

"Why's that? You on the run, or something?" The captain said, brows furrowed. "Maybe I ought to turn you and see-" He stopped quite suddenly, and Horace turned to look as the captain gazed up the dock. In the distance, an ominous black shape was soaring through the air, getting closer and closer to the dock.

"What in the name of the Goddess is that?" The man breathed, and Horace tore off his hood. The man yelped at the sight of his white hair and glowing red eyes.

"That thing will kill you all, unless you get me to the other side of the lake right now." The captain stared at him for a moment, then whirled around.

"Get ready to cast off, Michael! And you, get on board!" The crew scattered to their positions as Horace leapt onto the ship. The monster was growing closer, and the captain turned to Horace.

"Hide, blast you!" He gestured to a tarp, draped over some boxes, and the vampire understood. As the boat was shoved away from the dock, powered by the sailors below, Horace crept under the canvas, shielded from sight from any looking onto the deck.

I hope this works. The captain barked a few more orders, and the ship began to move at an extraordinary pace, no doubt powered by the fear of the men below.

"Nobody make a peep as it flies by!" The captain hissed to the crew. "If we're lucky, it'll ignore us completely!" In his hiding place, Horace did not say a word.

It only wants me, and if it can't see me, then I bet it'll leave them alone. Of course, if he was wrong, he was condemning everyone on the ship to a gruesome death, and the thought made his stomach churn. For the longest time, there was silence, save for the grunting of men and the splash of oars against water. As the tension mounted, Horace closed his eyes, waiting for the screech that meant he had been discovered.

After a few minutes of silence, the captain spoke hoarsely.

"It's gone now. Gods above…" Horace crept out from under the tarpaulin, scanning the skies to make sure the griffin had truly gone. "It came close, but evidently it didn't see you."

"I'm sorry." Horace said. "I truly have no other choices. If those things find me, you would have died anyways. I thought this was the safest path for all of us." Glancing out over the lake, he saw that they were more than halfway across, and he could see a river that exited the lake to the west, vanishing as it rounded a bend.

"Just don't expect me to come back." The captain muttered, and Horace nodded.

"I don't expect I'll have a need to."

A few minutes later, the boat was floating a few yards away from shore, and the vampire stepped up onto the railing.

"I thank you, captain. Be safe, now." And with a mighty leap, Horace plunged into the water, where he swam to shore with a few powerful strokes. As he emerged from the water, shaking the excess liquid from his cloak, the captain raised a hand in farewell. He merely nodded, before turning and heading west. He was close now, and nothing would stop him…

Horace followed the river as it curved south and west, remaining on the west bank as he skirted the forest that grew nearby. He had seen signs for a place known as Ryva, but the vampire figured that nothing awaited him there. So he continued to walk, even as rain began to pour down from the darkening sky. He could barely see, but his guide that lay within him pointed him onwards, through the storm.

He had just passed a bend when he heard it behind him: a dull screech, echoing through the air. Instantly, Horace knew he had been found, and he began to sprint as the howls of a wolf rang through the darkness.

Damn! How did they catch up so quickly? Lightning flashed as the storm began to worsen, and a quick glance over his shoulder showed a shadowy figure moving somewhere behind him. He couldn't see the griffin, but he guessed it was flying above him, tracking him.

I'm not going to make it! The light it his chest pulsed again, directing him to the right, and he followed it blindly, running up a hill that manifested from nowhere. He almost slipped on the wet grass, but he somehow retained his foothold as kept moving. The howling was getting closer, and he tripped and fell, face-planting in the mud. A shape moved behind him, and he instinctively rolled to one side as two gleaming claws descended from the sky, plunging into the earth where he had lain seconds earlier. And then he was up, running forward through the wind that howled. Only death lay behind, and he knew better than to turn around.

And then, he saw it, illuminated by another bolt of electricity: a small opening in the rocks in front of him, and he ran towards it. Another howl shook the air as he reached the entrance, hesitating for a moment. And then, as he heard the monsters drawing near, he shrugged his shoulders and plunged headfirst into the darkness.

The first thing he noticed was the silence. After a few feet, he realized that he could no longer hear the creatures pursuing him, nor the storm outside. He turned around slowly as his eyes adjusted to the dark, revealing the walls of a small cave. The entrance had vanished, trapping him within the confines of the rock. Ahead, a stone staircase descended into the depths of the earth, and he gulped.

What is this place? Seeing no other option, he began to descend the steps, eyes and ears straining for any movement or sound. But nothing moved, save him.

After a few steps, he realized that the air was changing. It felt… dead, and wrong.

What is this place? Why was I guided here? As he reached the bottom, he saw another opening in the wall ahead. This time, however, he could see nothing of what lay beyond the doorway. Only an impenetrable blackness was there, and he felt a trace of fear wash over him.

He had taken all of one step, when the creature materialized in front of him. The specter was covered in black robes and dangling chains, and the hood obscured any face that lay beneath. Horace yelped and leapt backwards, but the monster did not attack. Instead, it merely raised a hand and beckoned, as though welcoming him into whatever lay beyond.

"You.. want me to go?" The tiniest nod answered him, and the creature dissolved into thin air, as though it had never been. Horace took another step, thinking. The presence in his chest had gone, and he knew it was up to him now.

"I've come this far, and I won't turn back now." The vampire spoke as he walked towards the portal. And then, with a single step, Horace walked into the blackness and vanished.

When he opened his eyes, he was on a hill, overlooking what appeared to be a forested valley, with mountains in the distance. Mist obscured much of the land, but he could see a path that led down to the forest below. Turning, he saw only a rock wall behind him, with no sign of an exit.

"Where am I?" The air was frigid, but he felt rather comfortable as he wrapped his cloak around him. Everything seemed to be the same dead color, leeching any variety or interest from the surrounding landscape. The air was totally silent, and Horace felt a ball of lead form in his gut. Surely not…

As if to answer his question, there was a flicker of movement behind him, and he whirled to see not the witch or her minions, but a white, flickering shape emerge from the rock. It was shaped like a man, one he did not recognize, and the spirit paid him no mind as it drifted past, heading towards the forest.

"No…" He whispered, falling to his knees. "This can't be." He had read enough to know that where he had gone was far beyond the mortal plane, and was nigh unescapable. "Goddess, why have you sent me here?" Behind him, another spirit emerged from the rock, moving past him in the same lethargic fashion. Horace let out a cry that rang in the silence, but nothing, not even the earth or air reacted to his presence.

He was trapped in the Land of the Dead.

Many years into the future, an elf sat bolt upright in his bed, eyes snapping open as he looked blearily around his room. The moon was low on the horizon, and he slumped back onto his pillow as he realized where he was.

"He's the vampire." Ean whispered in the silence. "It was him all along."

What are we going to do? His mind raced, but he felt another presence enter his mind, and he recognized it immediately.

"Cigne?" The others were present as well, like distant shadows in the back of his mind.

"We saw, young one." The woman whispered. "We did not know, nor do we have any memories of him."

"Why's he after us now?" Ean said in a distressed tone. "What happened to him?"

"I… cannot discern his motivation." The healer said. "But you need to rest now. We will discuss it in the morning." She clicked her beak, and Ean felt a wave of sleepiness wash over him. And then, he knew no more.