For both the humans and Creations of Church-City, now simply referred to as 'Home', everything changed after the Night of First-Blood. Twelve moons past and the event simply became what everybody began counting from. Today marks the first year since it happened, and the Ghouls, in all of this time, have slowly warmed up to the 7 apostles and yourself, dubbed the Messiah of Creation. You care little for the title, but the energy spent creating a hierarchy and stable society would be all for naught without a leader, and you-- decorated 'war' hero and leader of the Wolves was the unanimously voted candidate. Ragnor wasn't interested in the position-- the way he put it was, "I'd much rather lead others to fight than lead them to work."

As such, he mostly leads reconnaissance and other various missions while you worry about the boring stuff, such as feeding the hundreds of blood-thirsty ghouls, setting up scouting teams and doing fluffy 'moral support' meetings with your apostles. The scouting teams come with information about the surrounding areas and the status of the wildlife and animals in the desert, but you make sure they don't go too far out-- several scouts have been known to just disappear mysteriously.

Your methods can't be called 'moral' by any means, though they are efficient. Perhaps thirty of the least fit humans were spared from being ghoul, and instead were tasked with giving of their blood monthly. The ghouls didn't need more than an ounce per month in addition to other foods, though you found yourself needing much more. The humans gave to the point that they practically were ghouls themselves, but not quite. Too tired to revolt, but too useful to just kill.

Furthermore, you spent time looking through old files in the Zealot-labs, searching for more information on the Professor. What you found wasn't as much as you'd hope, just his name and several of his affiliations. No physical description or photo, just names, affiliations, and several of his experiments.

Still, you're hoping that when you finally crack the computer you'll be able to find more on him. Ragnor thinks it's a long-shot and stopped helping you sort through the files to figure it out, deeming it 'hopeless' and a 'waste of time'. Truth be told, he might have a point-- for all you know, the Professor could have died a while ago.

But there was one conundrum that among the time elapsed that you're all struggling to answer: what happened to the other Zealots? And Gideon?

The desert was periodically searched for any traces of them, but nothing turned up. Several times you've set out to search for Kelso

As much work as you had, you managed to do some more enjoyable things in your 'down time'.

You stargazing with Cecilia.

"You're starting to lose your hair."

With a loud chuckle, you sift your fingers through your once luxurious head of hair. As you take your hand out of it, white strands fall to the floor. "Ha, I suppose I am. I suppose that's what happens with stress."

Cecilia giggles, snuggling up next to you. For a moment, the two of you marvel at the open sky, unpolluted by light. The stars shines from behind the slowly clearing clouds, a full-moon masked by the gray matter.

"You think it was a good idea to sleep on top of a high roof top?" You ask.

"Well, it's romantic."

"Not really." More laughter. "You know, I still don't get you, Cess."

She gets up, her long blonde hair falling into your face, "What is that supposed to mean, Vamp?"

"You know I'm impotent."

"... Yeah, so? Doesn't mean I can't like you."

Now it's your turn to chuckle. "Of course, but that also means that you can't benefit our race if you stay the nights with me. Probably can't be too fun either."

"Sometimes we don't have to sacrifice of ourselves for others. I like you and I can trust you, and that's all  need, love."

"Ah-huh." You slowly rise up, only for her to grab your hand to sit down with her again. You get closer to her once more, "Alright, so, you got me up here, finally, but as much as I like spending time with you, I think you need to tell me why you wanted to sleep on the roof tonight."

Cecilia turns away, "I need to see something."

"Like what?"

"You'll see."

In awkward silence you wait. As a powerful gust of wind passes, the night sky suddenly brightens slightly-- the full moon  fully exposed. The Wolf gets up from the mattress, only to hop down from the roof and stare intently at the moon.

"Cecilia?" You question, not wanting to upset her. All you know is that she wants to be in her animal-form, but you're not sure why.

Suddenly, your lover begins to tremble, her shoulders jerking spontaneously and her chest rising with heavy breaths. Her body, barely concealed by a night-gown, grows-- thick blonde hair sprouting from every area, her legs becoming thick as tree trunks, claws protruding and her nose extending to a snout. Ugly fangs hang from her mouth and a vicious tongue hangs out as her maw becomes a weapon to be feared.

The demonic beast stares at you and snarls in Cecilia's normal voice, "V-vamp?"

"You can speak in that form?" You ask, shocked.

"Yes." She replies, moving towards you, "I need you to do something for me."

"What?"

"Ghoul me."

"What?"

"I'm serious, my love. Else I wouldn't have already formed for you, rather than abruptly change in the middle of the process. I wish to live longer, like you shall!"

You bring a hand to your brow, "Cecilia, my dear... This isn't necessary, really. You'll be living a long life anyway, as a Creation.

"Cecilia, trust me, you do not want the curse of blood. The necessity eats at your very soul-- it justifies horrible things and--"

"They're not horrible if they can be done with you."

The poor girl... She doesn't get it, does she? She thinks she that being ghouled is a blessing, but it's a curse. The ghouls here, for example; they became sheep to be herded. Even I'd have a companian forever, it also means that my companion won't be herself anymore...

You become one with Cecilia.

With a weak smile you cautiously approach Cecilia. "Alright, my love. Just remain quiet-- the others are still sleeping." You continue nearing the Wolf, who lowers her giant snout to clumsily lick your face. The slobber and sound gives you a distinct feeling of disgust, but you manage to nuzzle the liquid off your face on Cecilia's fur.

"Are you sure you want this?"

"Oh yes!" Cecilia whispers, her snout forming some sort of smile.

On her command, you sink your teeth into her neck, getting your mouth full of hairs. It takes a while, but you finally manage to slurp enough blood that you feel the 'rush'.  Power, energy, heat; everything connects you further in the moment. Despite her quirks, you've come to appreciate her more than anybody else. After all, she sacrificed most of her ability to feel just so you could savor her blood... No, she said she wished to live for eternity, like myself. To be with me, forever...

You feel the sticky red goo splatter around your lips as the Wol struggles to not howl by pounding the ground around you. Your teeth maintain a strong hold on her neck, for you know that if you release prematurely the Ghouling process would have to be repeated from the beginning. The sweet and sour drink continues to flow down your throat, and before you know it--

Cecilia falls to the ground, naked and in her more human form. You fall upon her, and find yourself unconscious.

You wake back in your quarters, a pale Cecilia in your bed and hugging you tightly. If it were anybody else this might have been an opportunity for debauchery or something naughty, but no-- you're still asleep downstairs. But that doesn't matter.