Chapter 23

"Sir, that is enough! I won't give you any more beers!" the bartender yelled, his frustration apparent. Larkin had already consumed a staggering nine empty beer bottles. The atmosphere in the bar had shifted, with a small crowd gathering around the spectacle.

"Oh, come on! Let the man have his fun!" one of the patrons goaded, clearly entertained by Larkin's excessive drinking. His remark elicited chuckles and nods of agreement from others. Despite the concerned glances from both the bartender and Zee, Larkin pressed on.

"I'm footing the bill here, ain't I? So, keep 'em coming!" Larkin slurred defiantly, though his words were becoming increasingly incoherent.

As Zee observed Larkin's relentless drinking, a growing unease settled within her. In the midst of the raucous crowd, her thoughts drifted to Xain. *I hope Xain's alright,* she silently mused, her concern extending beyond Larkin's drunken state to her absent friend. She hoped that wherever Xain was, he was faring better than Larkin in his current inebriated state.

**Back to Xain**

Xain had taken great care to bind Almer securely, ensuring there was no chance of escape. Almer's hands were firmly tied behind his back, and his feet were secured to his outstretched legs. To prevent any cries for help, Xain had gagged him thoroughly.

After completing the task, Xain mentally signaled Ercale. *Okay, it's your turn, Erkie,* he transmitted.

Ercale assumed control of Xain's body once more, a note of caution in his mental tone. *Let's hope your kick didn't cause any severe head trauma,* Ercale remarked, as he took charge of the situation.

**17 Years ago**

Almer's mind wandered back to a distant memory of his obedient childhood, where he always heeded his parents' advice and followed the directions of adults. However, before he could dive too deep into this reverie, Ercale's impatient voice abruptly shattered his thoughts.

"Get up, and spare us the flashback!" Ercale snapped, delivering a potent punch to Almer's face. The force of the blow jolted Almer awake, but the gag in his mouth stifled his protests, allowing only muted sounds like "Mmm mmm" to escape. His eyes widened with alarm as he realized the dire situation he was in, unable to speak or resist.

Ercale drew closer, his eyes boring into Almer's with a chilling intensity. "You will divulge everything about your vampire masters," he declared in a menacing tone. "Failure to do so will result in a fate so gruesome that even demons would shudder at the thought."

Almer's gaze met Ercale's, and he found himself paralyzed by the sheer malevolence in those eyes. He had encountered cold, indifferent eyes before, ones that could send shivers down anyone's spine. But this was different – Ercale's eyes radiated a darkness and ruthlessness that eclipsed anything he had ever witnessed. It made those other fearsome eyes appear almost kind in comparison.

Overwhelmed by fear, Almer nodded fervently in agreement. Ercale, satisfied with his response, reached for the gag and removed it, allowing Almer to cough and gulp in air.

Almer, his voice trembling with fear, stammered out his question, "Wh-who are you? Xain and you are not the same person, and your voice cha-changed as well."

In response, Ercale delivered a swift, punishing kick to Almer's stomach, causing him to gag and nearly vomit. "Don't you dare ask questions!" Ercale's tone was harsh and unforgiving. "Tell me the names of your vampire masters," he demanded.

Almer, still catching his breath, finally yielded, "Lennix and Eirisse Star, that's their names."

Ercale's mind raced. Almer's response indicated that he was a thrall willing to betray his vampire masters to save his own skin. He possessed a level of autonomy that raised further questions. "One of your masters fed you their blood, didn't they?" Ercale asked, seeking confirmation. Almer could only nod weakly in response.

*Can you explain what that means?* Xain asked, seeking clarity on the matter.

Ercale decided to elaborate, *Thralls who have consumed the blood of vampires gain significant strength, some even matching the might of demi-humans.*

Ercale couldn't help but contemplate whether Xain was approaching 'that', considering his ability to easily subdue a blood-fed thrall with a single kick and put up a strong fight against an orc. However, it wasn't the right time for such musings. Ercale redirected his focus to their captive.

"Tell me where they are," Ercale demanded tersely.

Still recovering from the earlier kick, Almer replied, "Mistress Eirisse should be at the mayor's office. As for Master Lennix I don't know where he is."

Ercale seized Almer by the hair, pulling his head up. "Are there others like you, or anyone else working for the vampires? Be they thralls, undead, or something else," Ercale demanded, his voice brooking no evasion.

Almer, his lip caught between his teeth, hesitated briefly before reluctantly answering, "Jami and Sora, they're thralls," he stammered, "but not blood-fed. I... I don't know if there's anyone else."

Ercale, skilled at reading people, examined Almer's eyes closely. *He's telling the truth,* Ercale concluded. He released his hold on Almer's hair, allowing the man to drop back to the ground.

Ercale continued his menacing circling, his piercing eyes locked on Almer. "Do you have any idea how old they are?" he inquired, his voice laden with a dark intensity.

Almer, still visibly shaken from the earlier violence, stammered, "I... I don't."

Ercale persisted, his questions unyielding. "Tell me, what is their ultimate purpose? Why have they subjugated this town and its inhabitants? And what distinguishes those who remain uncontrolled?"

Almer's trembling breaths punctuated the silence. "They aim to undergo an evolution through a ritual," he managed to articulate, "and they claim to require a very specific individual for this ceremony. But as for the last question, I'm uncertain. I don't understand why some people remain unaffected."

Ercale's scrutiny deepened, his curiosity and concern evident. "Did they provide any insight into the nature of the individual they seek?" he probed further.

Almer's voice quivered as he replied, "They mentioned someone with an untainted heart, a person unwaveringly kind, uncorrupted by the harsh realities of the world, and who perceives beauty in everything."

Xain, puzzled and alarmed by this revelation, interjected mentally, *Why would they require someone like that?*

Ercale's response held an ominous undercurrent, *Because they aren't your average vampires.*

Xain's curiosity deepened, prompting another query, *What do you mean by 'average vampires'?*

Ercale's answer carried a sense of foreboding, *We're dealing with soul drinkers.*