A Renegade’s Jeremiad

Chapter 9: The Vampiric Struggle

April 29th. 1:38 PM

Moon: First Quarter

Clarissa and Ralph raced across the forest until Clarissa smelled Henry's scent in the ditch, but when Ralph and her looked into the ditch, they only saw Vanessa's smirking face as she held Henry close. "I've already begun the process. Looks like I won, mutt!" Vanessa gloated before laughing at Clarissa's tears when she saw Henry in the state he was in. "You…" Clarissa growled, turning back to her wolfman form, "I'll kill you for this!" Vanessa snorted before claiming, "You can't turn him back, you worm!" Vanessa laughed with schadenfreude before she continued, "And now, I will ensure that you will never see him again!" Clarissa almost lunged at Vanessa, but realized that if she attacked, she would hurt Henry as well. Vanessa, seeing the realization on Clarissa's face, gave her a wide, smug smile as Clarissa began to shake with a clenched jaw and a murderous glare. "Ah~ It seems you didn't take the bait. Good puppy," Vanessa uttered smugly. Clarissa and Ralph roared at Vanessa, but they knew they couldn't do a thing and watched Vanessa leave the area with contempt. "She's headed towards the southeast clearings. Ebony Fang territory," Ralph commented. "Ralph," Clarissa uttered, "Go back to the pack. Tell them what happened. I have to go." Ralph asked, "Where are you going?" Clarissa answered, "I'm getting help from some old friends. They care for him too, they can't refuse."

Meanwhile, another battalion of hunters led by an older man named Sirus, the elder of blue hunter energy, found Nick under the pile of tree trunks Ralph buried him under, still using his hunter energy to survive as they pulled the trunks off him. Once Nick got to his feet, he immediately recognized the elder and bent the knee out of respect. "Master Sirus," Nick began, "It is an honor to see you on the field again." Sirus huffed, keeping his hands behind his back. "On your feet, Mr. Willis," Sirius commanded, "We've got to find Henry now. No time for formalities. I'll be rotting in the netherworld before I allow one of my former students to lose their humanity to those beasts." Nick nodded. "Though, how do you know Henry's in danger so soon?" Nick asked. Sirus answered, "I've been masterminding a group of trusted knights and Rooks to comb the forest for Henry. I only got it approved a day before you managed to chase Mr. Sunsword back into this place. But enough talk, let us go." However, before they could begin their search, that was until Clarissa emerged, placing everyone there on edge. "What, did you come here to rub your intervention in our faces?" Nick asked accusingly. Clarissa took a deep breath before speaking. "No, Nick," Clarissa began, "Things have taken a turn for the worse." Nick scowled, glaring at Clarissa. "Why should I trust anything you tell me?" Nick asked, "You've already made it clear how you think of me! Mocking my loyalty and calling me slow when I, under the guidance of Master Sirus, learned and mastered blue hunter energy. How dare you show your face to me, you monster!" Nick held back his tears and retained a stoic demeanor, his mind racing with old memories of Henry, Clarissa, and himself playing together in the grass plains and training as hunters together. Only for those cherished times to be soiled by seeing how far Clarissa had fallen from the gentle girl Nick used to call a friend.

“Nick,” Clarissa began, “I… I said those things because I was angry.” Nick paused, his features softening. Clarissa explained, “I know how you’ve been treating Henry. What you’ve been doing to him. Henry lost control over his hunter energy and nearly killed you in that blast because you pushed him too far. Sure, Marcus set up the powder keg, but you set it off.” Nick frowned, that memory weighing heavy on his mind. Clarissa continued, “And now, instead of sticking by Henry's side and trying to help him in his time of need, you sided with Marcus. You pursued Henry endlessly and attempted to capture him multiple times. Do you think that's what someone does to a friend who's in pain and needs help? When everything stands against what he wants? I don't think so. That's why I was angry. You betrayed Henry, and I won't stand for that.”

Nick felt weighed down by his actions, until he considered what Clarissa had been doing. “Hang on, if you fight for Henry, why is he fighting you?” Nick asked. Clarissa shuffled awkwardly. “It isn’t easy to detail why-” Clarissa began before Sirus intervened. “Enough distractions, wolf. Tell us why you're here, or I'll hunt you myself!” Sirus demanded. Clarissa glared at Sirus before speaking. “Henry has been captured by the vampiric parasite here and has been poisoned with her disgusting filth of a curse. If you care, old man,” Clarissa retorted coldly. Sirus, Nick, and all the other hunters’ faces went pale. “We have to find Henry, now!” Nick exclaimed. “Calm yourself, Mr. Willis,” Sirus stated before looking back at Clarissa tersely, “What do you know of this vampire's position, wolf?” Clarissa explained, “She was traveling to the south east section of the forest. Given the compound of Ebony Fanged packs there, I can't get close.” Sirus nodded before turning to one of his trusted scouts. “Jim, you heard the wolf. Inform Director Sunsword so we can clear a path. We'll meet the reinforcements at the edge of the southeast territory,” Sirus commanded. Jim nodded before activating his green hunter energy and racing back to the hunter base. Sirus then turned to Clarissa. “As for you, either come with us to help us locate Mr. Sunsword, or trot back to your pack. We’ll take you down if you try anything funny,” Sirus threatened before rallying the hunters to travel to the southeast territories.

Meanwhile, in a deep cave structure lightly illuminated with torches, Vanessa cradled Henry’s body, watching his completion grow pale as the vampirism slowly ate at him. She had a soft, caring smile highlighting the blush that adorned her cheeks as she watched over Henry. Vanessa leaned down and kissed Henry's forehead again, giggling at his subconscious reactions to her affection. Henry then lurched in Vanessa’s arms, groaning in pain as his canines grew into baby fangs, making him hiss as his humanity and lifeforce kept the vampirism from mutating his body further as Henry's soul resisted, though not hard enough to cause violent illness. Vanessa wasn’t fazed by this as she could still feel body heat from Henry’s body, indicating that it was going to be a long while before he fully succumbed to the vampirism. “Aw~” Vanessa cooed, “Such cute fangs you have, darling. I can’t wait to see how they look once the transformation is complete.” Henry then opened his eyes. They had no vampiric power, but the irises were a glossy red, almost innocent in their design. “Mmphmms…” Henry babbled, leaning into Vanessa’s embrace. “Oh, good! The delirium has already set in,” Vanessa commented. “Soft… Peaceful…” Henry muttered, nuzzling Vanessa's cheek. “Ah, what a sweetheart you are, darling~” Vanessa cooed, “Your nature is so delectably affectionate. I’ve never seen a fledgling act so docile and kind to their sire before the blood bond took hold. Truely, you are the one for me.” Vanessa held Henry close, cuddling him like a stuffed doll.

Running parallel to this sappy event, Marcus had heard the news. “HE’S WHAT?!” Marcus shouted at the top of his lungs, his eyes going bug-eyed from the shock alone. Jim repeated, “He's been got by the vampire, sir. They're held up in Ebony Fang territory in the southeast region of the forest. Master Sirus commanded that I go to you for reinforcements to clear a path to their location, Director, sir.” Marcus muttered, “That fiend… She managed to finally accomplish what I feared… given that I wasn't able to shut down this situation on my own, this outcome was inevitable… For she is the harbinger of the Vampire King, regardless if she possesses the intelligence or wisdom to understand that.” Jim, his face scrunched from hearing these strange ramblings, asked, “I'm sorry, Director? I don't understand.” Marcus huffed before regaining his composure and turning back to Jim. “Well, little knight. We are at the brink of a siege the world has never seen before.” Marcus uttered ominously. After letting the words sink in, Marcus continued, “I speak of the enslavement of all humanity as we know it. Vampires roaming this world unabated, no hunters to stop them from claiming this world and starving it of its resources. Therefore, due to the severity of the situation, I'm giving your group my best asset for this mission.”

Marcus then summoned Duncan, who came in from behind, having heard the entire conversation as it was going on. “I assume you understand the assignment, Duncan?” Marcus asked. “Aye, Marcus,” Duncan answered as he cracked his knuckles, “I've been looking to blow off some steam ever since Henry slipped through my fingers.” Jim inquired, “Wait… That's it? Only the second in command? No armies?! When we are likely facing multiple wolves from various packs all at once?!” Marcus and Duncan looked at each other and snickered, aware of Jim's ignorance. Marcus answered, “Wait until you arrive on the battlefield and then make your judgement. You'd be surprised at what will happen.” Marcus straightened up and began to leave the room. “Now leave, both of you. Find Henry and get him here as soon as possible,” Marcus ordered. “Where are you going?!” Jim exclaimed. Marcus sighed and turned back to Jim, making eye contact with a piercing gaze. Marcus then replied with a terse tone, “To get the medical bay ready. We only have a limited amount of time until the vampirism kills Henry. Once that happens, we won't be able to cure him.” Jim spluttered, “Wait, we can cure vampirism?” Marcus snapped back, “No time for a history lesson. Job One: Retrieve Henry and get him to the medical bay for treatment. Now, leave for the southeast region, knight!” Marcus then raced out of the room without another word. Jim and Duncan, with their orders given, walked out of the room, preparing to run to the forest.

As Jim and Duncan prepared to race to the southeastern region of the forest, Ralph finally made it back to the Greyback pack, panting and panicky. As Ralph turned back to his human form, some of the werewolves guarding the territory rushed over to him. “Ralph, what's wrong brother?” One asked. Ralph panted, “Clarissa's mate… That parasite that's arrived here has him. I think you know the consequences of that. I must see the alpha now!” With wide eyes and pale faces, the guards rushed Ralph to Simon without another word spoken. Once Simon heard the news, he boomed, “WHAT?! Where is Clarissa now? We need to rendezvous and discover where that blood sucker is! Nobody wrongs my pack and gets away with it.” Ralph sighed before explaining, “I was with her when we discovered the fiend’s location. She was headed to the southeast. Ebony Fang territory.” Simon cursed when he heard that. Simon then growled, “So we can't immediately attack without causing a serious outcry from that territory and war to break out. Clever bloodsucker…” Ralph continued, “Clarissa’s gone off to get help from the hunters. I can only assume she is betting that the hunters care so deeply about Henry, that they won't allow this either. However, I'm not certain. It is only a guess.” Simon shook his head before replying, “No, I think you have the right idea. Still, I think it is best to let the hunters act here. After all, nothing we have here will cure Henry. And then… When he is cured…” Simon paused, showing a wolfish smirk. “We’ll take him under their nose,” Simon finished. Ralph shared the wolfish smirk, nodding in understanding as the pack began to settle down. And then, while the hours trudged on, the hunter group led by Sirus and Nick arrived at the southeast region, beginning their preparations for the siege at 3:53 PM.

Clarissa popped up just after the group arrived. “So, what's the plan?” Clarissa asked. “Not telling you everything, wolf,” Sirus began, “But I will only say that since you are here, you're going to help us locate the specific location of Mr. Sunsword.” Clarissa pouted, glaring daggers at Sirus. Clarissa’s expression would only darken once she saw Duncan arrive on the scene, growling at him the moment he laid eyes on her. Duncan turned to Sirus with a scowl. “Why is this abomination here, Old Man?” Duncan spat. Sirus, maintaining his composed demeanor, explained, “The wolf has Henry's scent; she can help us locate him quickly and buy more time for his life.” Sirus then nodded to Jim, a silent acknowledgement of his success.

Duncan grumbled, refusing to even acknowledge Clarissa’s presence as he moved to the front of the pack. Clarissa prowled behind Duncan, refusing to take eyes off him for even a second, teeth bared and wolfman claws ready to shred should she be in any danger. “Stand back you chickpeas, time to go to work,” Duncan warned before taking a breath and entering red hunter energy, his pupils becoming cat-like, his sclera turning red, while his body's muscle mass spiked so fiercely that his body bulged with raw physical power, and his height increased from five feet, ten inches tall to six feet, four inches tall. Despite the clear power increase, Jim was still panicking. “He's going to die if he just rushes in there!” Jim exclaimed. “Patience, Mr. Burrows,” Sirus commanded, “Observe. You are about to see what the best of our Rooks is capable of.”

Duncan then beat his chest and roared like a gorilla as he stomped straight into the Ebony Fang territories, attracting multiple werewolves that immediately surrounded him. Jim expected everyone to panic and scowl, yet no one did. Clarissa, on the other hand, whimpered and looked away before covering her ears, knowing what was going to happen. As the wolves descended on Duncan, he tore through ten of them like paper with two punches, then clobbered twenty more with multiple slams to their jaws, rendering them unable to move or wake ever again. This left only seventy wolves left, making Duncan smirk with a s******c, piercing gleam in his eyes as a cloud washed over the eyes of the wolves, each baring their sharp, ebony-black teeth and furrowing their brows at the sight of their fallen pack members. It was here that Clarissa dared to look. When she did, Clarissa gasped, the c*****e she saw in her memories from her time with Duncan as a human was not as brutal as what she saw before her. Duncan's wide smirk, his wild eyes, and his crouched, huffing state made him look more like a wild animal rather than a human, further emphasized by the additional muscle mass that bulked his entire being. Unlike most hunters with red hunter energy, Duncan's human personality was almost gone, save only for the clear recognition between human and wolf. All qualms, all morals, and human standards seemed lost to him. Clarissa's fur stood on end as she watched this beast tear open a path for the hunters through the wolves that relentlessly attacked, most of them unable to land a blow on him, and when they did, it amounted to little more than light scratches along Duncan’s arms and back, only making him boom with mocking laughter at his opposition.

The hunters followed Duncan’s rampage, many impressed with his ability to balance raw power with control of his recognition as he cleared the path. Sirus, noticing a lone wolf attempt to get at Duncan from a dead angle, smirked before taking a breath to activate his blue hunter energy, his aged pupils turning into the crosshairs of a crossbow as his sclera turned blue, the glow making them stand out from under his salt-and-pepper eyebrows. Sirus then aimed a single finger and fired a constructed crossbow bolt at such a precise speed and angle, the werewolf's head was separated from everything else in an instant, yet the shot was intentionally loud enough for Duncan to notice as Sirus disengaged his hunter energy while Duncan, still channeling his red hunter energy, stomped over to Sirus and bared down on him, attempting an intimidating presence. “Are you trying to steal my thunder, old man?” Duncan snarled. “Oh, not at all, gorilla boy. Just trying to help optimally,” Sirus answered coolly without a hint of playfulness nor eagerness. Yet, that didn't stop Duncan from roaring in Sirus’ face like a rabid animal before rushing into the fray once again. Jim asked, “What was that for, Master? He could've snapped you in half.” Sirus answered, “I'm trying to get that pompous buffoon to realize how silly he looks. Yet, every time he's on the field, he takes these fights too seriously. The stress alone will kill him one day. Besides, his behavior is unsightly and far too aggressive for a hunter. That overgrown brat is nothing like his father nor anything like Will— er, I mean… Director Sunsword of the past.” Jim paused, unsure of what to make of Sirus’ statements.

Meanwhile, back in the cave, Henry’s skin had gone completely pale, yet the child-like smile on his face he gave to Vanessa conveyed only a blissful lack of awareness of his current situation while also showing affection for Vanessa as she cuddled him close, patiently watching his physical body and mental state slowly wane into death. Henry babbled, “Mmm… I love you…” Henry blushed as he giggled childishly at his own words. Vanessa also blushed, her mouth contorting into a loving, eager smile. “Oh, my love, you have such a beautiful heart. Soon, Henry, you will be at the top of this world alongside me. And together, we will forge a paradise so pristine, that neither of us will ever be alone again,” Vanessa crooned as her eyes gleamed in the dark, her gaze as soft as a high-quality pillow. Henry innocently asked, “Are you, my mother?” Vanessa paused, recognizing immediately how much her old companion mattered to Henry, especially in comparison to how Marcus spoke of her, though that was during the fight in the woods, a fight she'd rather forget in the presence of Henry. “No, dear. I'm not your mother. But I know her well. She would be so happy to see you in my arms, finding love,” Vanessa answered, embedding lies with truth to make the transition for Henry as gentle as possible. "You are the only man I would ever dare hold like this, for you are charming, sweet, and oh so adorable~" Vanessa cooed, kissing Henry's forehead. “Aw, you're making me blush. Hee, hee~” Henry remarked, nuzzling into Vanessa. Henry’s nuzzling made Vanessa shiver warmly, her eyes starting to water with happy tears as she felt that at last, she would be forever joyous. That is until the cave shook and the sound of perished werewolves echoed through the cave. “What was that?” Henry asked nervously. “Shh. Don't worry my love, I have you,” Vanessa answered, holding Henry close in a protective grip as she scowled at the entrance. ‘They must know we are here. Filthy hunters… I'll destroy anyone who gets between me and my love!’ Vanessa thought. Little did she know, a cavalry had arrived, ready to take back Henry no matter the cost.