Year 34

Maldito; the village of ghouls and your ruling capital.

Though you aren't exactly sure now if what you're ruling is worth all that much.

Green Eye was terrorizing the villages in the area long before you showed up and was still terrorizing them for you when you arrived. It wasn't hard to intimidate them into submission.

If you killing their former tormenter wasn't enough to do it, then you being a vampire certain was. Kayla posing as "you" in the daytime, was just overkill.

Maldito was eventually ghoulified completely, so if a village steps out of line, you've got an "army" to threaten them with. Though once again, it's overkill considering you could wipe out every one of the villages yourself. The ghouls are just if you need something done in the daytime instead.

Ghouls really are the most loathsome creatures you've ever had to be around. Everything about them disgusts you. Their habits, their sycophantic behavior, their smell, everything. They're lower than humans and you're surrounded by them, but at least their loyalty is certain and they watch during the day.

This is what "ruling" does to you, makes you paranoid. Even with as scared as you have the rest of the villages, you still believe that one of them is going to get brave enough to actually do something about it.

Maybe to some degree you're even hoping one will just to break up the monotony.

Still it's all yours and you don't answer to anyone. You aren't sure if these are really the "best times" though. Something is missing. You spend a lot of time trying to remember the "good old days" but really when were those?

Certainly wasn't when you were enslaved by Ral, though you suppose your brief time with Lisa was the exception. You still wonder what happened to her, hopefully she's doing better than you, if she's still alive.

Wasn't when you had to spend time as a magically altered freak either. Once again, your only bright spot with that was Heather trying to help you. You've been thinking about your brief reunion with her in some of these moments of introspection and you still don't feel bad about it, but you do think that she probably didn't deserve it. Just bad timing.

When you were with Isabella? Well there were a lot of good times you'll admit, but if things were truly that good, you wouldn't have left. You can only imagine if Isabella saw you now, she'd probably just be shaking her head at you. She'd probably even be right to do so. She always did know better, but then you were meant to be free and that's always been your problem.

Even now, ruling all these worthless peasants, you still feel like a prisoner. You haven't really been free since your days as a petty thief with your sister.

Now THOSE were the good old days. You wish you could go back to those times if only for a little while.

As you sit in your own underground lair (Now properly built) you sense someone living approaching. It's Kayla. You still don't know her real name, but dops don't really have them anyway so you just continue calling her by a dead tavern keeper's wife. She doesn't even use that form anymore and just stays in her "natural" one when around Moldito. She only uses human forms (or yours) outside the village.

You're still a little mystified of her exact intentions. She's been with you for a couple years now and hasn't shown any sign of leaving or betrayal. You can't imagine that she's entirely happy with her lot. She's not a ghoul and she isn't a fearful ignorant human either. You're in charge and YOU'RE not entirely happy, so why would she be?

She has said in the past that she's happy serving you, but really have a hard time believing that. You're a tyrannical dick. Unless, she's in love with you, but that would be weird. You actually have been actively not using any sort of suggestive powers on her just to see how she acts. Besides, she's never given that indication though again, maybe you're just bad at reading the signs of a doppelganger.

"Um, am I disturbing you sir?" Kayla asks.
"Not really, just living up to the stereotype of the brooding vampire I suppose. What's going on?" you respond.
"Uh, dunno how to tell you this, so I might as well come out and say it, but I was doing my usual routine in one of the villages and apparently they've caught the attention of hunters."
"Hunters?"
"Yes, apparently a group of them were investigating the village of Ulig recently. Now I don't know if anyone said anything outright, but due to all of their suspicious behavior they might have inadvertently told the hunters something anyway. Many of the villagers I overheard seemed to be worried that they did that accidently."
"Well how many of these hunters were there and where are they?"
"They're currently in Sibogri, but they may be coming here soon. I dunno exactly how many there are, but apparently a sizable group. Ten maybe? Maybe more. I feel like this really can't be a coincidence and someone must have told someone about all this."
"Well obviously, if there are that many. I don't even think there were that many when they were in Holgard and that was a huge city. I wouldn't be surprised if there is so many due to them hearing rumors of a day walking vampire."
"Apologies sir."
"What're you apologizing for?"
"The daytime thing I know was mainly my idea and I was just apologizing to you for bringing this upon you."
"Are you kidding? This is probably the most excitement I've had in awhile. Besides, I imagine that hunters would have come around here eventually."
"So you're not mad or concerned about all this?"
"Not really, it's actually a motivator."
"Oh? Well what were you planning on doing then?"

Well that is the question isn't it?

The obvious thing to do would be to fight, but given how you've been feeling lately, you could probably very well just leave. Where would you go? You have no idea, but it's an option.

In the meantime…

"Kayla. Why are you still here?" you suddenly ask.
"I'll leave sir. Apologies." Kayla responds.
"No, not that! I mean why are you still here?"
"Is…this a test?"
"No! Look, what I'm asking and there is no right or wrong answer here, is why are you still here? I mean are you in love with me or something similar?"
"Um…well…not exactly…it's complicated. Can we talk about something else?"
"Besides the hunter thing, this day is becoming the most interesting one in years. I should have asked this question years ago. What's so complicated? You either are or you aren't."

Kayla is silent for a moment due to the awkward spot you've put her in. You can see her trying to come up with an answer and after some thought…

"Nope, it's still not simple, but I can try to explain if that will please you." Kayla answers.
"Well better than nothing I guess. Go ahead." You answer.
"As a doppelganger, we do tend towards those with power. Eventually we tend to imprint upon them unless someone better comes along. I suppose that explains why I was with Green Eye for so long. However, I was also planning to kill him eventually and take his place. That's sort of what we do."
"So…you're basically admitting to me, that you were planning on killing me all along."
"Well…it's complicated."
"So you've said. Look, you just admitted that you were planning to kill me. I think it would be in your best interest to explain in more detail."
"I honestly haven't really been planning to kill you though. I mean I assumed I would at some point, but considering I'm already impersonating you most of the time and reaping some of power thrill directly when I'm doing it, the feeling isn't as strong. Muted in fact."
"And that's it?"
"There's also the fact that you created a bunch of ghouls that I wouldn't be able to control since they know I'm not really you. Not to mention I don't think I'd be able to kill you, so I'm sort of stuck and now it's gotten to the point where I'm comfortable in my position and don't really feel a desire to leave. I mean I could, but I'd probably feel really lost for a while as I tried to find a suitable role equal in status to this one and that's not the greatest feeling for a doppelganger."

Well more enlightenment on the race of doppelgangers, but you notice she didn't entirely answer the original question. Doesn't matter you suppose, you're going to do what you want anyway, but there is one more important question.

"So you're saying that if I fight these hunters, you aren't going to suddenly switch sides again?" you ask.
"Not likely sir. Hunter types tend to be nomadic and have no real hierarchy. Also they are constantly seeking out vampires and the like to kill. I already know enough about vampires that I don't want to be hunting them on a regular basis. I'm with you sir." Kayla responds.

Well, that's something you guess.

"We're going to fight." You say.
"Never expected anything different sir. So how are we going to go about this?" Kayla asks.
"We need to gather a bit more information. If they aren't staying in the villages themselves, then that means they must be making camp in the forest. Maybe send Stinky…no wait not her. Send Lurky, to scout the nearby forest area. He tends to be quieter and smells less pungent than most of the other ghouls. I want you to keep doing your usual routine of blending in at the other villages. Try to gather as much information as possible. As for me, I'm going to start building up the defenses on this place. Probably should have done it years ago."
"You think you have time to build a wall?"
"No, but I once was a rogue and I knew how to set traps. Didn't do it often, but I knew how. If the hunters storm this place, it isn't just ghouls and me; they're going to have to deal with. The only thing I'll need to worry about are the ghouls accidently setting them off, but I think I can probably make them understand where they can go and where they can't. Let the rest of them know though, that I'm going to address them all as soon as it goes dark, so they all better be around."

Kayla nods and goes to carry out your orders. Meanwhile you work on a few things until it's dark so you can address your ghouls.

You address what's going on to your ghouls who of course all listen intently. They're actually eager to go fight right now, but you tell them there will be time for that soon. You tell them to start digging holes and placing sharpened sticks, spikes and then camouflaging them.

Not all the houses are used in the village anymore since the ghouls seem to all like just staying outside and only really enter the bigger village hall if the sun especially bothers them. You deicide to trap some of these abandoned homes since you imagine the hunters will be meticulous enough to search every home.

You spend the next few days doing this and then eventually you get a report from Kayla who has some interesting news.

"Wait, so they're torturing people?" you say.
"Yeah and they apparently got people doing this in several villages. They aren't letting anyone go either." Kayla says.
"How many of these assholes are there?"
"I still don't have an exact number, but it's looking like more than ten. Maybe fifty and I don't think this is just hunters, the Church of Joachim is getting mentioned a lot, along with terms like purging and cleansing."
"Shit, this is a fucking crusade. How the hell did we not see something this large coming?"
"Well we are a bit isolated even compared to the other villages, but I apologize sir, I probably should have noticed something sooner."
"It's done now. Lurky hasn't even come back yet, so who knows if he's still alive. This is starting to look like more trouble than it's worth. What the hell am I really fight for anyway?"

Kayla doesn't respond, she just shifts a bit nervously at your rise in temper.

You think about your options, and just flat out leaving seems like a perfectly valid one.

You leave

You know when something looks like a losing battle. This is mostly on you anyway, you let yourself get too much attention with your actions and now you've got an army of fanatics on your ass.

You let your pride get in the way and thought you knew better; well this is what happens. You're starting to think Isabella was right. You could kick yourself for fucking up your relationship with her now; then again her being right doesn't mean she wasn't being domineering.

In any case, you can't go home again and you probably should just move forward anyway. Maybe you need to go some place new entirely, like the Delantium Kingdom or something.

Without another word, you go gather what little personal belongings you still regard as important.

"What are you doing?" Kayla asks.
"I'm leaving. Not going to stick around for this. Not worth it and I'm sick of the headache anyway." You answer.
"But sir! You can't just leave all this!"
"Sure I can, watch me."
"But…"
"What, do you want to run this place? Be my guest, you can pretend you're me, like you've been doing."
"But that won't be the same and…(sigh) okay fine sir. I can see the wisdom in this. I'll just get ready to go too."
"No, you're not coming."
"What?"
"You heard me, you're not coming and neither are the ghouls. Going it alone again for awhile."
"But what am I supposed to do?!"
"I don't care, do whatever you like. You're released from my servitude, in fact I said you could leave on your own many times before, so you were always free to leave. Ugh, still gotta wait for night fall."

As you prepare for a long wait, Kayla begins pacing a bit and then starts trying to convince you to fight, but it's not working and the more she's trying to convince you the less patient you get with her.

"Kayla, your voice is beginning to anger me. I told you to leave." You say.
"I just really believe that you can win against these interlopers. Then after you win, your reputation will be so fearsome, nobody will ever attempt to invade you again." Kayla says.
"I seriously doubt that."
"You won't know unless you fight sir. I mean you didn't get all this by just standing back."
"And you seem a little too eager for me to try. Why is that exactly? And don't tell me how much you believe I can win, because it's more than that. You seem to just not want me to leave your side given that you were also willing to leave."

Kayla gets a bit quiet and then sputters a bit before gathering her thoughts.

"Um…well…okay you got me sir. I'm in love with you and I should have just outright admitted it before. I was just embarrassed because…well I know you would never have such feelings for me like that. Apologies sir, I will leave."

Kayla turns to leave.

"Hold on wait. Come back over here. Can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe I've been lying to myself." You say.
"Sir?" Kayla asks.
"Maybe I do have some feelings for you as well Kayla. I just didn't want to admit it due to everything."
"You mean me being a doppelganger?"
"Well part of that I suppose, but more because none of my past relationships have ever worked out well. Maybe I've let that cause the distance between us as a master and servant, but perhaps we should attempt to become more."
"Oh sir! Do you really mean it?!"
"Yes. Whatever I ultimately decide to do, we're going to do it together from now on. Now come to me my love, I want us to finally embrace intimately."

Kayla rushes excitedly to you and puts her arms around you. You look deep into her blank white eyes.

"Do you want me to turn into a more pleasing form sir?"
"No, I want to do this to you in your natural form."

Kayla's normally featureless face displays a wide smile, which might be a little unnerving if you weren't who you are. She's very happy. Good. She was a loyal servant for a long time so she earned a happy last moment.

You then twist Kayla's head around and tear it off completely. You then toss the head aside as gray goo leaks out of the body.

Obviously she was up to something and leaving her alive might have just caused problems for you in the long run. Better to play it cautiously, especially with all the attention you've attracted. Last thing you need is someone pretending to be you and you don't have direct control over it.

You continue to wait in silence until darkness falls and that's when you take your leave. You don't even bother giving your ghouls any last orders or anything like that. You just run off as quickly as possible in the night.

You still have a distance to travel and you don't really know how you'll fair in the Delantium Kingdom, but it can't be too much worse than what you've already been through. You have a lot more time to learn from your mistakes as well.

Your days as a common rogue might be long over, but your life as a vampire is just beginning.