XXIV: Necessary Evil

Merle, the witch of the Black Forest, underwent a breathtaking transformation before Kaizer's very eyes. Her true form emerged, a vision of beguiling beauty that left him awe-struck.

Her skin took on a porcelain pallor, as if kissed by moonlight, enhancing her ethereal allure. Dark, obsidian eyes glistened with a magnetic charm, mirroring Kaizer's own striking trait.

Her figure, graceful and dainty, seemed sculpted by the hands of divine artistry. Slender and delicate, she exuded an aura of timeless elegance. Small, pointed fangs peeked from her lips, a subtle nod to her Vampiric heritage, adding to her alluring mystique.

Merle's wavy, golden-blonde locks cascaded like liquid sunshine, framing her exquisite features and enhancing her ethereal beauty. She cast aside her witch's robes, unveiling a white Vampiric corset and dress that clung to her like spun moonlight. The corset accentuated her slender waist, while the dress flowed with graceful abandon, emphasizing her enchanting presence.

As she stood before him, resplendent and stunning, a warm and knowing smile graced her lips. Her eyes held an ocean of love and acceptance as she greeted Kaizer. "Hello, grandson," her voice was a melody filled with deep affection, revealing the hidden facets of her captivating nature.

Kaizer, his emotions swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and fascination, found himself captivated by the seemingly ordinary blue pacifier that had been placed before him. He held it up, scrutinizing its simplicity, unable to fathom its significance.

"It's just a blue pacifier," Kaizer remarked, his gaze shifting from the pacifier to Gertrude, his newfound grandmother, whose true identity had been unveiled to him.

Gertrude's laughter, once raspy and croaky, now flowed like a sweet, melodious song. Her thin smirk carried a mischievous glint as she quipped in her distinctive English accent, "That pacifier saved my ears from hours of torment, I'll have you know. And I used to wipe your bottom."

Kaizer couldn't help but break into a chuckle, his amusement undeniable. In that moment, the weight of the situation began to lift, replaced by a sense of familiarity and warmth.

"Why is this happening, Gertrude?" Kaizer finally asked, a mixture of emotions coursing through him. He embraced this newfound family member, feeling a profound sense of relief in discovering a Vampire who not only cared for him but had been there for him long before he knew of his true heritage.

Gertrude, her eyes filled with affection and understanding, gently patted Kaizer's hand as it rested on the pacifier. Her words held a depth of wisdom as she began to explain, "My dear, life is often a tapestry woven with threads of fate and destiny. Sometimes, the threads remain hidden until the right moment comes to reveal them."

She leaned in closer, her voice a soft and comforting melody. "The answers you seek, the secrets that have been kept from you, have come to light now because it is time for you to embark on a journey of self-discovery. You are not alone in this, Kaizer. You have family, and we are here to guide you."

"We?"

"Yes. Have you ever heard of the Ouroboros? Not the symbol, the organization. It was founded relatively recently. It is comprised of Grant's trustworthy friends, all of whom know about your origins. I am part of this organization, and so is Roshan, the Elephas: and Barry, the Selkie; Zykor, the Reptilian, and finally, Ryder The Wolf. Five members, excluding Grant, our founder."

"Ryder The Wolf?" Kaizer inquired.

"Yes. He's currently not here in Sanguine, but that is a story for another time. I promise it's not a secret." She winked.

Kaizer nodded, grinning, feeling a newfound sense of purpose and connection; Looking back, he realized why he met Roshan and Barry, why he ended up in that desert. It had to be fate, he thought.

"But why was I taken away from my parents, from the Overworld? Why did the Cauldron and Queen Hundred want to get rid of me? Why did my father give me up to the police? Couldn't he had just left me with you?"

Gertrude's gaze softened, and she spoke with a mixture of sorrow and resolve, "Your existence, my dear, holds great power and potential, and it also carries risks. Your parents, in their own way, tried to shield you from the consequences of that power. But now, it's time for you to embrace it."

She reached out and clasped Kaizer's hand firmly. "The path ahead may not be easy, but you have the strength and heritage of both Vampires and Daemigods. You are special, and you have a destiny to fulfill."

Kaizer absorbed her words, his heart filled with a mix of gratitude and determination. He had found family and purpose in the most unexpected of places, and he was ready to embrace the journey that lay ahead.

Kaizer asked, "So what do we do? What's the next move? It's not like we can just burst into Sanguine City and—what? Try to kill everybody? I'm still confused somehow. I don't understand what the main objective is, ya know? Like, the bigger picture!"

Gertrude smiled knowingly and nodded, closing her eyes for a brief moment. Then, her expression became serious. She inhaled, saying, "We must free Alessia from her monstrous form, The Scorpion."

Kaizer's eyes widened with a gasp, and his heart pounded in his chest. "How?"

Gertrude pulled a book from a shelf on her wall and set it on the table, opening to one specific page in the middle of the book.

"By returning you to her."

On the book's page was a sharp, detailed drawing of The Scorpion, and Kaizer recognized it as the entity he had seen in his vision on the first day of school. Its haunting words, 'Where's my baby?', echoed in his ears.

Above the sketch, there was a description:

'The Scorpion Curse is a unique curse, in that it has only been revealed once in history in the legend of Alessia. This curse is activated by consuming copious amounts of different Vampires' bloods, and it is activated by strong desires and intense emotions.'

'To break this curse, one must alleviate the emotions and desires that the curse-bearer held in the moments of transformation by meeting the curse-bearer's condition. Therefore, Alessia cannot be saved from The Scorpion Curse until her child is returned to her.'

Kaizer felt a surge in his stomach. "Return me to her? In the—the Underworld?"

Gertrude's expression was grim and serious now. "Yes, precisely. She took the form of The Scorpion because of the imbalanced power that surged in her emotions, combined with the seemingly endless energy she consumed over time through cannibalism, as well as the Daemonic abilities you possessed. Her despair and burning desire to find you was the key to unlocking the innate abilities she had developed over her time of consumption. It is an unforgiving curse, never to be broken until the condition is met."

"So… guess I'm taking field trips to Hell, now," Kaizer buried his face in his hands, pacing. "Ugh, this is all so… overwhelming. Too overwhelming."

Gertrude closed the book, and Kaizer glimpsed the name of the author. He pointed in shock.

"SHADOWPAW?" Kaizer exclaimed, shocked.

Gertrude gave an inquisitive expression. "Yes, what about Shadowpaw? I believe in his writings, and he's quite the talented illustrator. He's always been a dog-man of many interests."

"Shadowpaw knew all along!?" Kaizer exclaimed again, throwing his hands into the air. "The potion dealer? Ahhh, this is sooo weird."

"So you've met that bastard dog? How is he?" Gertrude asked with an amused smirk, folding her arms. "He's really still dealing potions?"

Kaizer nodded. "Yup."

Gertrude rolled her eyes. "And yet he never comes over. Next time you see him, you tell him he better bring me a whole bottle of Bloody Mary, and I'm not kidding. It's been far too long since I've drank. The boredom within this forest is never-ending! I honestly just need to get absolutely badgered."

"Wait, is he a member of the Ouroboros too?" Kaizer asked. "He obviously knows about my origins."

"Shadowpaw is a mostly enigmatic figure in Sanguine society, although popular," Gertrude explained. "He's the type of person who's been everywhere, seen everything. I truly cannot tell you what his motivations were when studying Alessia, or how he came to know so much, but he is not a part of Ouroboros—although, he is trustworthy. Simply put, he follows his own truth and instincts, for independency is something he values dearly."

"You seem to know him well," Kaizer pointed out, grinning. "Were you two friends that took potions together? I can't believe I'm talking about taking drugs with my grandmother."

Gertrude scoffed, noticing Kaizer's awkward expression, swiping a hand at him. "Oh, please! It's not that weird to talk about drugs with your grandmother, Kaizer. Besides, it's purely educational. How old are you?"

"Sixteen," Kaizer replied. "At least in the Overworld I am? My birthday just passed in March, so."

"Oh, you still have a long way to go. Have you had your first kill yet?"

"Oh yeahhh, that threshold was crossed a long time ago," Kaizer replied in an ironic tone.

"Good, because for your unique purpose in this world, violence will be necessary."

"Oh yeah, I figured that out too." Kaizer shook his head at the thought, scratching his head. "I've had to do my fair share of Vampire… and Human slaying."

"Indeed. Like father, like son," Gertrude mused, a twinkle in her eye. Kaizer cracked an unexpected smile.

Kaizer and Lady Gertrude sat and talked at the table, sharing trivial anecdotes and long-winded stories alike. Kaizer found himself enjoying his time more than ever before in Sanguine; He always felt like he couldn't escape the dread of this dark world, but Gertrude provided a sanctuary from it all.

As the hours passed, Kaizer and Lady Gertrude forged a bond, finding solace in each other's company. Gertrude's wisdom and warmth offered a glimpse of a different side to Sanguine, one where genuine connections and moments of joy could exist despite the shadows that loomed. As they talked, Kaizer began to feel a sense of belonging and purpose he had never experienced before.

In this newfound sanctuary, Kaizer realized that, with Gertrude by his side, he was not alone in his quest to save his mother and break the curse. Together, they would face the challenges of the Underworld, armed with their determination and the strength of their unique family bond.

Yet, Kaizer's curiosity about Thalia and Justice's fate still gnawed at him, and he couldn't help but ask Gertrude about how they had met their end. With a heavy heart, he broached the topic.

Kaizer hesitated before asking, his voice trembling, "Gertrude, can you... can you tell me what happened to Thalia and Justice? How did they... how did they die?"

Gertrude's expression softened with empathy as she began to recount the sorrowful tale. "Thalia and Justice…they were valiant and loyal friends, weren't they?" she began.

Kaizer nodded, tears forming his eyes. "Y-yeah. They were."

Gertrude gently placed her hand on Kaizer's, and shared the truth:

"When Queen Hundred came to the Black Forest in search of you, they refused to reveal your whereabouts. They protected you with their silence."

Kaizer's eyes welled with tears as he listened, and he whispered, his voice shaky, "And then?"

"And then," Gertrude continued, her voice filled with sadness, "Queen Hundred's wrath knew no bounds. She ended their lives without mercy, draining their blood with her magic and leaving their remains to decay on the forest's edge. They now rest as skeletal echoes of their former selves. Sadly, that is not an uncommon end to most Vampires' stories. We don't get funerals."

Tears streamed down Kaizer's cheeks as he grieved for his friends, and he clenched his fists in anger towards Queen Hundred. "They didn't deserve such a fate," he said, his voice trembling. "I won't let their sacrifice be in vain. I'll make her pay for what she's done."

Gertrude nodded in understanding, her black eyes reflecting his determination. "Their memory will fuel your resolve, Kaizer. Together, we will seek justice and freedom for all in Sanguine."