Fates of Grenora: Return of the Night

Aldrin thought that part of the Slavers were operating within the city, kidnapping the people here to be sold elsewhere. Apparently, he was wrong, and someone else entirely was behind it. Luckily, he had chosen not to investigate it otherwise, he would have run into that group sooner. Seeing that Evie was already suspicious only cemented the fact that why wouldn't take lightly to what he was. Regardless, under the effects of Daywalker, he wouldn't be any use to them anyway. He had a bigger worry at the moment, one that would eventually decide the fate of the city.

With the Potions needed for the upcoming plan, he had wanted to study the walled off area of the Research District to see if there were any other entrances or weak points. At least during the day, he would be less obvious about what he was doing.

By the time he had reached the entrance, the sun had moved to be a quarter away from the horizon. He hated being limited by the sun because he wasted so much time being unable to fly through the air. The thought made him stop in his tracks, causing someone to bump into his legs.

"Sorry!" Aldrin waved off the glaring Goblin that walked around him.

He continued walking, realizing ‌that he liked certain parts of being a Vampire. Although it was cool to him, minus the blood-drinking part, he just hated how people would react. He wondered if someone else who came from Earth would have liked this better and had an easier time adapting. It was a wishful thought, and one that didn't matter now. He needed to understand and come to the fact that this may be permanent.

He walked up and down along the street, discreetly searching for anything that would help avoid any bloodshed to get in, specifically so none of them would have to fight anybody to get out. He proved to be lucky as there was only one entrance, and if they caused a distraction somewhere else, they could sneak in through the front. It pleased him to know that another part of the plan worked in their favor.

"Now for the long way back," he sighed, his shoulders drooping in defeat.

He knew, based on where the sun was, that by the time he arrived back at the inn, it would be night. He had also come to find it weird that there was no crime in the city except for the kidnapping. There were too many coincidental things that didn't add up. There was a glaring puzzle piece missing, and he wouldn't find it in this city. Whoever the main culprit is, is very good at erasing their tracks. He also wondered how he got embroiled in this just by looking for a cure for himself. A part of him almost wondered if something more was driving these factors from behind the scenes. He frowned at that thought.

"Fate kills people in the first place," Aldrin shook the idea from his brain.

Feeling the burning effects of the sun dying down on his skin, he felt his usual strength return to him. He no longer felt constricted within his own body, as he grew to see it as an uncomfortable feeling. He would almost compare his returning power to losing control of the vampiric monster that lies dormant inside him now.

Vampiric Awareness prickled at the back of his neck, telling him that something behind him meant danger. He would confront them once he reached The Gleaming Marigold; he hoped to avoid causing another scene in the city since the first one went poorly enough. He sped walked, irritated at the fact that he couldn't use any of his abilities without giving himself away.

Whatever was infringing on the edge of the ability had stayed within his radar. It also kept pace with him and kept the same constant distance even if he sped up or slowed down. He looked at one shop, sneaking a glance in the window, hoping to see the person following him. Whatever it was noticed Aldrin's behavior since it stopped following altogether. However, Aldrin still kept his senses primed for any oddities.

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Making it back to the inn, it was a little packed since another wave of Adventurers had entered the city throughout the day. It was also the day that others left, probably assigned a new Quest which Aldrin felt a pang of grief strike him remembering his old group. People were drinking and chatting as usual, giving the atmosphere a jovial feeling of camaraderie.

Thakheam saw Aldrin enter and prepared a glass. "Dwarven Killer as usual?" Thakheam greeted him, getting out the drinks to make it once Aldrin made it to the bar.

"No, not tonight. Thanks though. Jared or Pierre make it back yet?" Aldrin asked.

"Haven't seen either since the morn' when they left 'ere," Thakheam answered.

A cold sweat ran down his back as he read the message. "What?" Aldrin said, hastily looking around to see everything frozen before activating Shapechange and turning himself into fog. He took a last look at Thakheam, whose eyes were wide in shock as something reflected off the shine in them. The only thing Aldrin saw next was a flash of white blind him, a concussive blast blowing him and everything away, and scrambling his orientation of the world.

He reformed, feeling the cobbled stone grating against his cheek. His vision had black dots throbbing in and out. Screams echoed and sounded far away as he clutched at his head, or at least attempted to as his limbs felt like lead.

He felt deft hands roll him over. A blurry, unfamiliar figure entered his vision. Aldrin could barely focus to see that the figure's mouth was moving, then pushed something that faintly glowed red into his mouth. Its bland taste entered his mouth, causing him to spit it out. His senses began to come back into tune thanks to Regeneration and Undead Body. The long black braided hair and ashen skin of a Dark Elf was the first thing he saw. Flickering lights from flames alighted half his youthful face under the night sky.

"Are you ok?" his hoarse voice asked.

"I'm fine. What happened?" Aldrin groggily asked, sitting up.

The Dark Elf grimaced. "The Gleaming Marigold." His black eyes looked away.

Aldrin looked at what used to be the inn, his temporary home. Something inside him snapped when he saw the ruined building engulfed in flames, along with the buildings that were its neighbors. People screamed either in pain or out of fright. His recovering hearing picked up people rushing in this direction. Looking at the destruction in front of him, his fangs and claws lengthened to dangerous points, making the Dark Elf next to him jump back in surprise.

"It is you who we felt awaken," the Dark Elf whispered as Aldrin stood up.

Aldrin turned his furious gaze to the Dark Elf, who immediately bowed in response. "What is your order, Old One?" the Dark Elf humbly asked, never standing back up from his bow.

"Clear the city." Aldrin declared, his rage clouding his control over himself, causing his eyes to turn from their usual green to glowing red. Inside, the vampiric beast purred, knowing it would soon get a chance to feast again. The Dark Elf bowed and slinked off towards the oncoming panicked crowd.

Aldrin found the connection he had with the Zombie Horde within. Mentally taking hold of it, he sent a pulse towards the other end with one instruction: begin.