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The Codex Aeternum A centuries-old, partially translated compendium chronicling the governance, customs, hierarchies, and judicial rulings of vampires. Originally inscribed in a now-fractured dialect by early coven jurists, its earliest folios predate the founding of most mortal empires. The Codex includes rulings from ancient blood courts, treaties between rival lineages, and sanctioned punishments for internal and external transgressions. It also catalogues major coven structures, noble bloodlines, accepted rites of inheritance, and disputes brought before the Vampire Council. Due to the antiquity and inconsistency of its language—some portions rendered in dialects only partially deciphered—much of the Codex remains the subject of ongoing academic translation efforts. The Codex Aeternum is maintained under the authority of recognized vampire sovereigns and their emissaries, with limited access to certain volumes granted to accredited Elders, coven Scribes, Arbiters, and interspecies liaisons. Unauthorized access is considered a diplomatic violation under both Arcana-Tethered Law and the Sentinel of Accord Treaty of 1003(TG). Revisions are exceedingly rare, typically issued only after bloodline extinction, tribunal upheaval, or territory collapse. Vampire Hierarchy The ranking and title system recorded among vampire covens and society ➣ Read Records

Back to Demons Index Back to Treatise Categories Editorial Note “Much of what you read here is translated, disputed, or retrieved from ruins best left buried. Handle with caution.” — Transcription Notice, Volume I: Demons

Back to Arcana Bestiary Index Back to Arcana Bestiary Categories Hollow-Eyed Batrin A reclusive cave-swimmer with echo-sensitive fins; some say it remembers faces. ◈ Quick Stats ◈ Fie⌊d ʍage$ $⊥i⌊⊥racking ∇he $ouɼce... Preferred Habitat Field Notes ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... Tɍαn$ℓa⊥iθ∩ øƒ $¢Ɽip⊥ ⍴en∂inǥ. ⊂he¢k ⊏a¢k ∩ex⊥ ⓛunaɍ ¢y¢ℓe... ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... Size and Mass ∪ndeɼ s¢hθ∩αɼly Ɽe∨ieω. ⊔pdα⊥ed en⊢ɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... Tracking Signs ⍴age ∪∩ɍeco∨eɍabℓe—øɍiginaⱠ ⊥ex⊥ beℓie∨e∂ ¢o∩sumed ⊏y sen⊥ie∩⊥ i∩k. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... Repellent Methods ∪ndeɼ s¢hθ∩αɼly Ɽe∨ieω. ⊔pdα⊥ed en⊢ɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... - Previous Next -

< Back Atheson Coven Sobriquet: Marrowdyn House The reigning coven of Atheson City, Atheson's capital Coven Lore The Atheson Coven is among the oldest and most established vampire covens in Aegisguard, tracing its bloodline back to the 640s, when the Creator walked the Rhenovaalis frontier in pursuit of Diabolus cultists. It was during these years—long before the city of Atheson existed—that he came upon a quiet village tucked against the edge of wild, mist-covered forest. The land was cold, iron-rich, and laced with ley lines. It hummed with power. The Creator, always two steps ahead of other non-human factions, sensed the strategic value of the place. If left unguarded, it would become a battleground—claimed by werewolves, demons, or worse. So he laid his claim not with bloodshed, but with foresight. He established a haven, one meant to last, and seeded it with purpose. Among the first to be turned and trusted with its care was Eyra, one of the Creator’s earliest Fellkin. Fierce, ambitious, and unnervingly beautiful, she became Coven Master by his decree and remained so until her betrayal. With her, the Atheson Coven was formally born, a rooted force of structure, law, and secrecy. Half a century later, during the chaos of the War of the Red Provinces [698(TG)-700(TG)]**, the Creator guided the coven; it made itself known again through mercy, not conquest. Wounded soldiers, abandoned by their comrades and left to die in the woods and on the moors surrounding Atheson, were taken in by Eyra and her Fellkin. Many were turned, and others were buried with dignity. At the time, the people of Atheson spoke of the vampires as saviours. But memory is short, and fear is eternal. As generations passed, and the war faded into history books and forgotten names, the truth was twisted. The vampires’ aid became a rumour, and their presence a threat. Whispers grew into prejudice, and reverence soured into resentment. Now, the coven exists in uneasy parallel with the city it helped save, hunted by some, ignored by others, but always watching. Over the centuries, the Atheson Coven found itself under siege in slow, invisible ways. Hunters crept through the borders at night, laying traps in the old woods. Rogue werewolf packs tested the strength of the wards. Demons made quiet offers to the disillusioned, whispering promises of power to the desperate or angry. Every decade brought new enemies, some with silver, some with fire, others with charm and poisoned bargains. Little by little, the coven thinned. And the city turned its back. By the year 960(TG), the humans of Atheson City—now a sprawling industrial hub built atop the soil the coven had once defended—had all but forgotten the debt of centuries past. Superstition had curdled into fear. When livestock went missing, or a corpse surfaced without blood, blame found its way to the vampires, whether true or not. So the city hired a solution. A professional hunter known only as The Silver Claw—a legend among monster-killers—was brought in through pooled funds raised by the city’s more prominent families. Ruthless, methodical, and equipped with tools not seen since the old wars, the Silver Claw began methodically stalking the Atheson Coven. Two Knights were killed not long after the hunter’s arrival. In response, the Creator returned to the city in force. By then, the Creator had begun forging uneasy alliances with werewolf packs under Greymore’s rule—an unprecedented move in a world where vampires and werewolves had stood on opposite sides of nearly every conflict. It was part diplomacy, part necessity. The world was changing, and so too did survival demand adaptation. To test the bounds of that fragile cooperation, the Duskroot Pack, known for their discipline and neutrality, were assigned to patrol and protect the Sanctum grounds—a gesture of faith the Creator hoped would begin to normalize the presence of werewolves among his kind. Not all vampires welcomed it. Still, the Creator pressed forward. He began turning new vampires, not from distant lands, but from within Atheson itself; civilians, teachers, and workers. The idea was simple: turn those the city loved and trusted, and let that closeness reforge a bridge long since broken. If their sons and daughters became vampires, would they still raise a blade? Or would memory soften their hate? It was a risk, a quiet, hopeful gamble. But one vampire fractured the plan before it could take root. Eyra, the coven’s long-standing leader, and one of the Creator’s first and most trusted creations, had acted without his knowledge. Over the course of two decades, she had turned over seventy humans, not to strengthen the coven, but to serve her own ambitions. Many were turned without consent, and others were barely vetted. It was a flagrant violation of vampire law, one that jeopardized not only Atheson but the fragile coexistence of vampirekind across the continent. When the Creator uncovered the truth, it enraged him. There could be no leniency, not even for her. Eyra was brought to trial by the Vampire Council, found guilty, and sentenced to the rarest punishment of all: Unmaking. Her vampirism was stripped away through ancient rite, and she was returned to her mortal form—fragile, aging, and utterly human. She was then handed over to the families of those she had turned, left to the mercy of those she betrayed. What became of her is not widely spoken of; some say she begged, others say she didn’t. What was certain, though, was that her name would be erased and overshadowed by Noctrel, Dignified to Coven Master on Saturday, Aprilis 1st, 960(TG), replacing Eyra, and trusted by the Creator to heal the wounds left in her wake. Where Eyra had ruled through control and quiet defiance, Noctrel led with precision and poise. Elegant, enigmatic, and impossible to ignore, they brought a steadier hand to a coven still bleeding from betrayal. After the Silver Claw was finally killed—a coordinated effort between vampires, the Duskroot Pack, and demons of the Zenith’s Legion—Noctrel shifted the coven’s focus to something even more delicate: reconciliation. The newly turned vampires, still tethered to their mortal roots in Atheson, became the first bridge. Noctrel assigned them to city outreach efforts—quiet protection, visible aid, conflict de-escalation. When Lilidian demons raided the lower wards, it was the coven who arrived first. When a child vanished near the south wall, it was a vampire who found her. These moments, small but undeniable, began to chip away at centuries of fear. The alliance remains fragile, still whispered about in taverns, still debated in council halls, but it is no longer unthinkable. Under Noctrel’s leadership, the Atheson Coven walks the narrow line between myth and memory, trying, finally, to be seen as more than the monsters in the dark. ⏎ Return to Vampire Covens Links to Relevant Historical Records 🌹 War of the Red Provinces - Coven Fellkin Current Fellkin: 31 Newly-turned Fledgelings: 36 Coven Master: Noctrel Duvalcour (nb) [Dignified to Coven Master in 960(TG) after Eyra became Veiled] Turned: in 672(TG) when they were 34 From: Atheson Gifts: Skyborne, Day Walker Human Life: Noctrel was born into a minor noble family in western Boszorkány, raised as a son but never quite accepted as one. Their refusal to conform to expectations—avoiding marriage, dressing and speaking with androgynous grace—invited whispers, and then scandal. When a powerful court patron attempted to 'correct' them through violence, they fled into the countryside, wounded and left for dead. The Creator found them beneath a withered yew tree, and he was impressed by their defiance. The turning was not an act of mercy, but of preservation. Brood Nurse: Madame Lăcrămioara (f) [Originally from the Dor-Sanguian Hatre Manor Coven, the first fully-formed coven] [She is a strict leader; many Dor-Sanguian vampires dislike working with her] Turned: in ? From: Dor-Sanguis Gifts: Skyborne, Day Walker, Wolf infatisare Human life: ? Vice Matron: Drusilda (f) From: Dor-Sanguis Gifts: Skyborne, Day Walker Night Steward: Halvarn (m) From: Dor-Sanguis Gifts: Skyborne, Day Walker Paladin: Vulpea (f) From: Dor-Sanguis Gifts: Skyborne, Day Walker General: Alendreya (f) From: Dor-Sanguis Gifts: Skyborne, Day Walker Knights: 3 total - 1 (f) & 2 (m) - Lenore (f) - Corven-Hale (m) - Theremond (m) Wardens: 2 total - 1 (f) & 1 (m) - Maelissa (f) - Lucaniel (m) Sentinels: - Anselric (m) - Edricus (m) 2 total - 0 (f) & 2 (m) Bloodmenders: - Thessaly (f) - Benedric (m) 2 total - 1 (f) & 1 (m) Adherents: - Evaphene (f) - Vaultwright Berengar (m) - Chanter Branduin (m) - Vitreophage Virelka (f) 4 total - 2 (f) & 2 (m) Acolytes: 6 total - 4 (f) & 2 (m) - Scribe Alson (m) - Marius (m) - Isabeau (f) - Votary Elspethia (f) - Ysoria (f) - Tavissa (f) Fledgelings: 7 total - 3 (f) & 4 (m) - Casran (m) - Votary Odette/Odi (f) - Vaylen (m) - Cenric (m) - Caylinne (f) - Esphyllia (f) - Oswyn (m) Newly-turned Fledgelings: Serenique (f) (...35 more) 36 total - ?(f) & ?(m) Other: Veiled Eyra Coven Sanctum Floor Plan lower basement colour.png basement colour.png fourth floor colour.png lower basement colour.png 1/6 ⏎ Return to Vampire Covens

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Caeleste Treatise A Extensive Guide to the Caeleste of Aegisguard “Peace is not built on trust, but on knowledge. Know your allies as well as your predators.” — Scribe-General Ilyen Ro, Nosferatu Archivist Compiled by Consortium-appointed anthropologists, ethologists, and interspecies historians, The Caeleste Treatise stands as the most comprehensive reference on the world’s Caeleste peoples. This extensive volume documents the origins, physiologies, cultures, and social structures of Caeleste species. Each volume explores the species’ known biological and metaphysical traits, behavioural tendencies, governing hierarchies, and recorded relations with both human and other Caeleste societies. Cross-referenced data from field interviews, bloodline records, and translated lore texts provide a unified understanding of each race’s place in the world’s delicate balance. Though intended for academic and diplomatic use, the Treatise serves equally as a practical guide for peacekeepers, envoys, and inquisitors navigating interspecies relations. To know the customs, laws, and temperaments of one’s fellow beings is to avoid conflict—and perhaps, on rare occasion, to build trust. All Caeleste peoples within this record are categorized by origin, domain, and Arcana composition. These classifications can be found in the section below. Back to the Lore Archive Validated by the Caeleste Council — Reviewed by Scholars, Envoys, and Arcanists Alike “At last, a record of the Caeleste peoples that favours truth over folklore. Equal parts revelation and reckoning.” — Doyenne Valtris Nheir, Senior Diplomatic Scholar, Hall of Arcanean Law ✧ “A vital tool for conflict avoidance—or escalation, depending on how well you read.” — Sevrick Ollenmar, Interspecies Negotiator, Consortium Council Tier IV ✧ “Some entries made me laugh. Some made me cry. All made me worried for my job.” — Inspector Helvid Marren, Department of Civilian Caeleste Affairs ✧ “Finally, a lore book that doesn’t treat demon culture as a footnote. Well done.” — Magister Kaelis Dorn, Infernal Ethnologist, Ashmark Institute Treatise Categories Demons Infernal or Netherborn humanoids Includes: Demons who have taken human forms Shadowspawn, ashmarked etc. Fallen celestials and nether hybrids Notes: May be tied to realms like the Underworld, Hell, Purgatory, or unique infernal planes. Often very territorial and dangerous, possessing their own rules and societal standards. ➤ Access Species Volume Vampires Hemovoric humanoids Includes: True Vampires, Vampiric Beasts Soul Leeches, Shades, Ghouls Notes: Defined by dependence on blood, nocturnal biology, and immortality via undeath or curse. Some variants blur lines with astrals or demons. ➤ Access Species Volume Lycans Moonbound (shifters bound to the moons) Includes: Werewolves, wolf-walkers, direbeasts Jackal, fox, coyote, or hyena shifters Big-cat shifters (panthera lineages) Ursine or boar shifters (rare or ancient branches) Notes: Always tied to lunar cycles, bloodline curses, or primal Arcana. Their hierarchy usually depends on dominance and territory. ➤ Access Species Volume Shapeshifters Polymorphic humanoids Includes: Animal Shifters (not bound to the moons) Mimics, Doppelgängers, Druids Entities capable of full-form replication or mutation Notes: Unlike lycans, they can assume multiple or non-animal forms and are not bound to moon cycles. Some absorb identity, others are illusion-based. ➤ Access Species Volume Elves Elven-blooded humanoids Includes: Elves of different regions and biomes Elves with different Arcana Notes: Beings infused with pure Arcana. They embody long life, beauty, and Arcanean resonance. Their traits and temperaments differ by elemental or celestial alignment, and their societies are often shaped by lineage purity, ethos strength, and ancestral tradition. ➤ Access Species Volume Fae ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Mages ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Seers ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Witches ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Astrals ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Celestials ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Undead ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Elementals ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Primordials ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume Hybrids and Constructed ʍi$si∩₲ ⥏n∫or₥₳tion. ɍeco∨eɍy ⓔxpe¢⊥ed $oo∩... ➤ Access Species Volume

CHAPTER ONE ー ⊰ ✟ ⊱ ー UPON THE TOWER This story's main character has a written dialogue accent. This is the version of the story without the accent. ▶ Back to Original Edition | Alucard | Alucard flicked the blood from his rapier and watched the werewolf's severed head drop to the ground to join the beast's twitching body. A satisfied smirk stretched across his pale face, baring the tips of his fangs. It brought him relief knowing he was closer to his task's completion, and all he had to do now was face the Alpha. With a vicious snarl, the white-furred beast which stood across the field from him rose to its hind legs in a display of threat. But Alucard wasn't unnerved. He extended his claws from his fingertips and awaited the beast's charge. And when it burst towards him—kicking the ground beneath its feet up in its wake—Alucard sprung forward much faster than the beast could comprehend. He arrived at its side before the grass where he'd been standing settled and gripped the wolf's throat, digging his claws into its skin. It yelped when he lifted it off its feet and slammed its back into the ground, and before it could attempt to defend itself, Alucard sliced the Alpha's head from its body. It was done. He flicked his sword, removing as much of the blood from it as he could, and then with the crimson, white fur-trimmed cape he wore over his shoulders, he cleaned his blade and sheathed it at his side. From his pocket, he pulled a folded sack large enough for the beast's head, which he picked up by its muzzle with a disgusted grunt. He unfolded the sack, eased the head inside, and glanced at each dead wolf. They were all there, and with a jerk of his hand, he sent them up in blood-red flames. Although he'd severed their heads, he wanted to ensure none of them would become hellhounds. That was the last thing he needed. Killing werewolves for the people of the city was tiring enough; if he had to deal with their reanimated corpses, too, he'd feel as though his work was worth more than the treaty he was trying to create with the humans. He headed into the woods and navigated the late-night gloom to where he left his black stallion. Its crimson eyes shone like a beacon, and from its nostrils oozed dark, twisting fog. "Thank you for waiting," he said, his Dor-Sanguian accent thick and distinguishable. In response, the possessed horse snorted and waited while Alucard attached the sack to its saddle. Then, he mounted the horse and took hold of the reins. "Let's go." The horse carried him through the murky fir forest and into the open fields lit by the kaleidoscopic light of the six moons. In the distance, the glow of Dargamoore City cut through the fog. Alucard made the horse move faster across the farmland, following the dirt roads until he reached Dargamoore's black iron gates. That was where he dismounted and escorted the beast over to a tavern. He hitched the stallion and took the bloody sack from the saddle. "Wait here," he said and then headed inside. The place reeked of beer, cigarettes, and piss. It was a place he'd only ever visit if he had no other choice, and in this case, he didn't. Alucard approached the bar and reached into the sack. He pulled the werewolf's head out by its muzzle and slammed it on the bar, ensuring that the collision splashed blood in every direction, which sent two patrons running, made another retch, and the bartender dropped the glass he was cleaning in startlement. "There you go." Alucard patted the wolf's head. "I even brought you the head so you can put up there with the rest of them." He nodded at the display of taxidermy wall mounts behind the bar. The bartender snapped out of his state of stupor and shook his head. "Are you fucking serious?" He chucked the bloody sack at the man's face. "You wanted the fucking thing." "Not literally!" he exclaimed. Alucard reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of crumpled paper. He laid it flat on the bar and pointed to the words as he read, "Wanted, dead and head severed. Is not to your satisfaction?" With an irritated grunt, the man turned around and went into the room behind the bar while muttering, "Fucking psycho." Alucard waited, ignoring the murmurs among the crowd—murmurs which he heard whenever he walked these streets. 'Vampire freak' and 'undead monster' were just two of those things. He was used to the berating stares, too...but he wasn't familiar with the look he was getting from the man sitting in the far-right corner. He didn't recognize the guy, but he evidently wasn't from around here. He was wearing an expensive suit, his dark hair was combed back over his head, and although his eyes were black, Alucard noticed a red shimmer when the light hit them. And his sulphur-like scent was hard to miss. That man was a demon; Alucard could feel the creature's power like a bitter breeze in the night's air. He didn't like the smirk on his face, nor did he like the fact that his eyes were looking him up and down as though he was sizing up his next meal. "Here," the bartender uttered. Alucard snatched the coin pouch from the bartender without a word and headed for the door. "Hey!" the bartender called. "You're just gonna leave this here?!" Without answering, he left the tavern and headed to his horse. His job was done, and all he wanted to do was finish his patrol of the surrounding woods and get home before daylight. He'd had enough human interaction for one night. But just as he was about to get on his horse— "Excuse me," came a smooth, silvery voice. "Sorry to interrupt whatever it is that you're doing, but are you Alucard?" Alucard let go of the saddle and turned to face whoever said the name very few knew him by, and when he saw that it was the demon who smirked at him inside the tavern, he scowled. "Who's asking?" he questioned cautiously. The demon held out his hand, which possessed claws in place of his nails. "Zalith. I assume Damien told you about me?" That was how he knew his name. Damien told him, but despite that this demon knew Damien, Alucard wanted nothing to do with him. "No, he didn't," he replied, ignoring his hand. Zalith lowered his hand and frowned. "Well, in that case, I suppose he's expecting me to fill you in. I've come from Eltaria to meet you and discuss a relocation mission involving the vampires of my world. He mentioned that you're the Lord of the Nosferatu—the vampire society—right?" The vampire looked him up and down. "I don't work with other people and I never have. Damien wouldn't suddenly change that." He climbed up on his horse. "Well, it would seem that he had a change of heart," Zalith said, glaring up at him. "I'm frankly a little surprised that he hasn't said anything to you yet." "If this were true, he would have said something." He made his horse turn towards the city gates. "Good luck with your vampire mission." Then, he headed for the exit. The demon walked at the horse's side. "Can't you take my word for it and reach out to him to make sure?" Alucard glanced down at him. "No." And once he was past the gates, he tapped the horse's side and took off, racing away from the city and Zalith. "Lives are at stake!" Zalith called. He wouldn't tell himself that he didn't care; whenever vampires were involved, he couldn't help but care. But what he didn't care about was that demon, and he wasn't interested in working with him. If there really was a mission involving vampires, then he'd do it alone, just as he'd always done things. As he rode towards the forest, Alucard reached into his pocket and pulled out one of his colts. He ensured the barrel was loaded with silver rounds, reloading those he used fighting the werewolves. He wasn't sure whether he'd come across more tonight, but he was ready either way. When he reached the tree line, he climbed off his horse. But as he was about to head into the murky woods, a cold shiver ran down his spine, and the scent of ash and sulphur snatched his attention. With a quiet whoosh and crinkle of the leaves in the grass, something landed behind Alucard. He wasn't afraid, though; he knew who had come. "He wants to see you," came a cold, slithering voice. Alucard turned to face the faceless spectre hiding under draping black robes. "Where?" "Eltaria. Five minutes." With a heavy sigh, Alucard nodded. The spectre wordlessly transformed into a whisp of black smoke and raced off. "You can head home," he told the stallion. "Someone will put you in the stables." The possessed beast grunted and headed back home. Alucard had five minutes to get to Eltaria and he'd not risk being late. So, he morphed into a vermillion smoke-like apparition and, much like the faceless wraith, he sped up and through the sky. He moved quicker than any creature could, flying over the farmland and the dark sea, heading towards the island in the distance. When he landed on the black rock, he was greeted by the endless rainfall and rhythmic cracks of thunder. As he made his way towards the darkness-filled archway sitting a few feet from the water's edge, he glanced at the skyfish and watched them swim around inside the storm. He wasn't sure why he was being summoned to another world so late, but considering what happened in Dargamoore, he felt it was safe to assume that it had something to do with that demon. Was he going to have to work with someone else? And not just anyone, but a demon? He snarled quietly and clenched his fists. There was only one way he'd find out. The moment he reached the archway, he walked through the darkness and emerged on the other side, finding himself in the gloomy, eroded hall of an old castle. The damp smell was disgusting and burned the insides of his nose. Vines had twisted their way through the crumbling white brick, which was covered with leaf litter and dried dirt. It wasn't that which made him grimace, though. A sudden ache spiralled through his head and throbbed behind his eyes. Could this pain be a result of his transition through worlds? He pulled a small steel flask from his pocket. As he made his way down the hallway, he unscrewed the lid and took a sip of the blood that was inside. He hoped that it would help with this pain just as it helped with any other. And to his relief, it did. The hallway took him to a staircase, and while he climbed it, he glanced at the silvery moon out through the windows. What kind of pathetic little world possessed one moon? Once he reached the top of the tower, he saw that he was alone, so he wandered to the edge and stared at the world below. The empty grassland went on as far as his eyes could see, as did the forest on the other side. Alucard's attention was snatched by approaching footsteps, but he didn't bother turning to face whoever walked onto the tower. He knew it wasn't his boss. But when he noticed that their aura wasn't human or vampire, he scowled irritably. It was the aura of a demon...and one he'd felt before. He glanced over his shoulder and saw him. Zalith, the demon who approached him outside the tavern. His dark eyes shimmered crimson while he looked Alucard up and down, and as he approached, a pleasant smile appeared on his face. "Hello again," Zalith said with a quiet laugh. The vampire scowled at him. "What are you doing here?" he asked, but he was already sure that he knew the answer. "I'm here to meet with Damien, which I'm sure isn't far off from what you're doing here yourself." His scowl thickened, but angst accompanied his aggravation. If Damien had sent Zalith to meet him in Dargamoore, then he was certain that he was about to receive an earful. But it wasn't his fault. He'd worked solo for four hundred years. Why would his boss suddenly change that without warning him? He wouldn't have time to reply even if he wanted to. The sound of incoming wings made them both turn to face the east; a feather-winged man flew over the forest, breaking through the clouds above, and it sent fear spiralling down Alucard's spine. Damien was coming. Zalith moved closer to him, but much too close for Alucard's comfort, so as Damien soared down and landed on the tower, Alucard took a few steps away from Zalith. With a condescending glower, Damien folded his dark, purple-tinted wings against his back. His perfectly centre-split black and white hair floated in the breeze, and his four charcoal-black, foot-tall horns shimmered in the moonlight. "You found your way here, then," he said, shifting his red and blue eyes from Alucard to Zalith. They bowed respectfully; Damien wasn't only Alucard's boss, but also a demon god. Damien smiled amusedly. "I'm surprised you haven't torn each other apart—disappointed, even," he said, walking to the edge of the tower where Alucard had been standing. He leaned against the wall and glared at them. Alucard frowned cautiously, trying his best to remain calm. "You...sent this demon to find me in Dor-Sanguis, right? Forgive me, but I have worked alone for four hundred years; I didn't think that what he was telling me was true." His boss held out his hand, and as he did, Alucard flinched. He expected Damien to scold him, but the man instead scoffed and pointed at him with his black claw-tipped finger. Damien told him, "You upset one of my favourite demons." Alucard kept his eyes on him. "I'm sorry." Damien's sights shifted to Zalith. "Do you accept his apology?" "Of course I do," Zalith replied. Alucard didn't have to look at Zalith to know he was smirking. He could hear it in his voice. But he kept a vacant expression, waiting for Damien to continue. Damien said, "Good. Now, I have a job for the two of you." Zalith and Alucard glanced at one another. While Zalith looked skeptical, Alucard adorned a confused frown. The demon took his eyes off Alucard and looked at Damien. "I assume this is related to the cause. The child?" "Of course," Damien said with a shrug. Alucard's look of confusion thickened. Cause? Child? "What cause?" Zalith rolled his eyes. The vampire scowled irritably— "One day, we will initiate the creation of another Daegelus," Damien announced. "You are aware of my plan to overthrow my brother, and the best way to do so is to fill his world with creatures not of his creation. It just so happens that Zalith possesses what I need, and I possess what he needs," he said, slowly shifting his gaze from Zalith to Alucard. "What...is that?" "Well, you are the Nosferatu's leader. You are the only one with the resources to assist Zalith." Alucard didn't want to help Zalith—he barely knew him—and in the short time they'd interacted, he was sure he was going to hate him. He wanted to ask Damien why he should help this demon, but he knew better than to question his wishes. "A war has broken out in this land," Damien continued, nodding over his shoulder at the world below, "and it has endangered vampires. Zalith wishes to save them, and the only other realm that can harbour vampire ethos is Alvenguard. You will assist Zalith in transporting his vampires to your world since your aura will mask theirs from Letholdus' detection." Zalith looked at Alucard. "We must begin momentarily," he said with the same supercilious tone in his voice as Damien. The vampire scowled irritably. He hated that they were both talking to him like he was incapable; if the circumstances were different, he would have hit this demon by now, but he had to contain his frustration. "I would like to know more about this plan before rushing in like a moron. What are the risks?" he asked, looking over at Damien. "If Letholdus finds out, I'm sure he'll kill you. But that wouldn't be such a tremendous loss, would it?" Damien uttered. Alucard tried to keep an embarrassed frown off his face, but he struggled when he saw Zalith smirk amusedly. Damien continued, "Letholdus is aware of your existence, so I'm confident that he'll think nothing of you travelling back and forth from Eltaria." "It's a simple plan," Zalith said, glancing at Alucard. Alucard glared at the demon. "Why do you care so much about vampires? You are demon; we are natural enemies." "I owe it to them," Zalith answered. "They remained loyal throughout the war, and their numbers are withering. Those who remain deserve to survive, and I want to find a safe place for them until I can make everything right." Alucard had no choice but to do what Damien said, but he wasn't finished with his questions. "You never have me help anyone without them giving me something in return. What will that be?" he asked Damien. "Zalith will play a part in creating a bond between two people who will one day save your life," Damien grumbled. "Your father is still after you; you are only safe because I am keeping you hidden. Perhaps Zalith will play a part in your father's demise. Or perhaps...something else that causes your life to be in danger. That wouldn't surprise me. You often get yourself wrapped up in things I'd rather not deal with." Alucard looked at Zalith, ignoring Damien's derogatory speech. "And you are on board with this?" "I am. But if you need more time to understand, please...it's not like we're in a rush," he uttered sarcastically. With a vexed frown, Alucard set his sights on Damien. "Who are these two people?" Damien shrugged. "You'll know when you see them, I'm sure. And when they come, I'll be rid of you at long last." A chance to be free of Damien? That sounded so relieving—so relieving that Alucard required no further convincing. But having to work with someone would be frustrating, especially when that someone was a demon. However, if completing this task would give him freedom from Damien, then he'd put up with Zalith. "Fine," the vampire muttered, holding his hand out to Zalith. "Let's start again." Zalith smirked and shook his hand. "I look forward to working with you." Alucard knew that was a lie. "Likewise." Damien sighed deeply. "You'll remain here until you discuss a plan. I want all those vampires in Alvenguard by this time next year. If Letholdus catches on, you're on your own," he muttered, pointing at Alucard. He glared at Zalith. "And you...be careful. If you lay a hand on him, I'll cut it off—permanently." Then, he aggressively flapped his wings and raced up into the sky, disappearing through the clouds. Alucard snarled. "Dracului...arrogant...fuck." The vampire caught a smile of amusement leaving Zalith's face when he looked at him, but before he could tell him to stop smiling, the demon adorned a firm glare. Zalith told him, "There are one hundred and fifteen vampires. We'll meet here before each transferal; Damien may have given us a year, but I need them moved as soon as possible—over the course of a month would be preferable." Alucard frowned disapprovingly. "We were given a year, and I can only take fifteen a time at most. I will also begin no earlier than tomorrow; I have something to clear up before I start bringing vampires home. Whether that is okay with you or not, I'm now leaving." Zalith sighed tiredly. "He left us here to discuss a plan." "There is nothing more to discuss." The demon scoffed. "Logistics, meeting places, plans for if things go wrong. I'd like to know more about this Nosferatu, too. Unless, of course, you'd rather play things by ear and deal with the repercussions of fucking up Damien's orders." Glaring at him, Alucard clenched his fist. "Don't talk to me as if I don't know what I'm doing. I've worked for Damien all my life. I don't need to stand around discussing anything with you. We will meet here, I will take back vampires, and that's all. If there is anything to discuss, we will do so only when I'm here." Zalith frowned condescendingly and slowly shook his head. "When Damien told me he had an answer for my problems, I didn't expect to be lumbered with such an arrogant fool." Alucard scoffed, looking him up and down. "I could say the same thing." Then, he headed for the stairs. Zalith didn't say anything else, nor did he follow, and Alucard was glad. If that insufferable ass said one more thing, he was sure he would have broken his jaw. He didn't understand why he had to work with a demon, but it was Damien's order, and he knew that if he didn't do as that creature asked, he'd be the one with the broken jaw...or worse. With an irritated sigh, he made his way downstairs and towards the portal. This was the strangest assignment he'd been given, but there was no point questioning it. Damien wanted to undermine Letholdus by bringing outside ethos into Alvenguard, and he was certain that this was going to be his first of many missions involving that goal. ⏎ Back to Nosferatu ▶ Next Chapter

UNDERSTANDING ALUCARD'S DIALOGUE ACCENT Alucard's dialogue in the original edition of The Numen Chronicles books has an accent. He doesn't pronounce Hs, THs and some Rs. Below are some examples to help you understand his dialogue: You'll see words like 'ead (head), 'ere (here), and 'owever (however), missing the H. THs are often ZHs, such as zhat (that), zhis (this), zhe (the), and zhere (there). In other cases, you'll see ozzer (other). Ws become Vs, such as vhat (what), vhere (where), and vhy (why). Some Ds become Zs, such as Zamien (Damien), zon't (don't), and Zetlaff (Detlaff). Fs also become Vs, such as vollow (follow), vriend (friend), and vor (for). And some Rs become Vs, such as vest (rest), Veiner (Reiner), and Remont (Vemont). Below is a more detailed guide: Vhat = What Vhen = When Vhere = Where Vhy = Why Vant = Want Voman = Woman Vomen = Women Vhatever = Whatever Vherever = Wherever Vhenever = Whenever Vrite = Write Vrist = Wrist Vrong = Wrong Verevolf = Werewolf Zhe = The Zhere = There Zhat = That Zhis = This Zhen = Then Zhan = Than Zhem = Them Zheir = Their Zhemselv = Themself Zhemselves = Themselves Zheirselv = Theirself Zheirselves = Theirselves Zhomas = Thomas Vree = Three Togezzer = Together Ozzervise = Otherwise Vight = Right Vest = Rest Vace = Race Ving = Ring Vace = Face Vorgot = Forgot Vinger = Finger Vor = For Virst = First Vree = Free Zoesn't = Doesn't Zamien = Damien Zetlaff = Detlaff Zemon = Demon Divverent = Different Brover = Brother Gazzer = Gather Accent Guide: Text

Back to Demons Index Back to Treatise Categories Behavioural Patterns How demons act, interact, and respond to stimuli.

Back to Demons Index Back to Treatise Categories Inter-Species Relations How they relate to other Caeleste or mortals.

Back to Applied Sciences & Technology Index Medicine & Biology Pharmacothaumaturgy Compounds, tinctures, elixirs, and how ethos-reactive ingredients are stabilized