Saquin: Death To My Enemies

The morning mist clung to the forest floor, curling around trees and weaving through the underbrush, casting an eerie calm over Brimar Forest. Saquin, standing atop his boulder, contemplated the offer of bonding with the territory. His gaze shifted to Lira, whose amber eyes held a quiet patience, her loyalty unwavering as she waited for her new leader's decision.

A bond with this forest... The power it could bring was tempting, yet he was cautious, wary of entangling himself too deeply in obligations that might slow his pursuit of revenge.

Suddenly, as if embracing a revelation, Saquin smiled, then the smile turned into laughter, a eerie laughter that would make the best villains jealous. "Hehehehehehehehe."

Mythic, do it.

[ Erm, okay. ]

A strange sensation swept over him, like roots twisting into his soul. The forest's heartbeat pulsed in sync with his, the creatures and foliage now woven into his being. Each leaf, each hidden lifeform, connected to him in an intricate web. Energy surged from the land, the forest recognizing its new master.

[ The Bond has been established. ]

[ Brimar Forest Territorial Bond Acquired!

— Territory-wide awareness unlocked.

— Vitality absorption enabled.

— Enhanced power within forest limits.

— Authority over forest inhabitants granted.

]

[ The Bond has been established ]

Saquin's vision sharpened, his awareness expanding until he could sense creatures hidden beneath layers of earth, others nestled in treetops, and even the faint shimmer of magical presences far off in the forest's depths. He felt the whispers of power coursing through the land, feeding into him, strengthening him. The forest itself seemed to recognize its new master.

"Status." He called out.

[ 

host: Saquin ---

Specie: Higher-Human -- Primal Vampire

level: level 5 ( 120/400exp )

SP: 300/300

Health: 500/500

Vitality: 100/100

Abilities:

(

 Primal Vampire:

- Normal (Lvl 5) - (Super strength, super senses, super speed, regeneration/healing factor…)

- Unique - Time Brief (Lvl 5) {SP Cost: 100}, Shadow Movement(Lvl 1) {SP cost: 10}

Higher-Human:

- Normal (Lvl 5) - (SP manipulation, SP sense, superhuman body)

- Unique - Doppelganger (lvl 3) {SP Cost: 50}.

System Abilities:

- Blood Drain: Drain Vitality upon touch; speed is relative to target's resistance

- Mini Map: Shows a small map of the surrounding area

- Inventory: A space for storing inanimate object

Territorial abilities:

- Territory-wide awareness.

- Vitality absorption.

- Enhanced power within forest limits.

- Authority over forest inhabitants.

]

He turned to Lira, his gaze steady.

"From now on, you'll be my right hand—man, woman, whatever you choose," he said with a hint of amusement.

"It would be my honor, my lord." A smile tugged at Lira's face. She had once directed the forest's inhabitants under Dread's rule, but she'd only been fourth in command. The second and third commanders hadn't sworn loyalty to Saquin, likely assuming he wouldn't stay—leaving them a chance to seize power.

"Enough with the 'my lord,' alright? I'm just someone who happens to have a bit more power than you. Call me Saquin," he replied with a genuinely humble smile.

[You're quite the contradiction,] Mythic remarked, unable to ignore Saquin's shifting demeanor.

Lira's admiration only deepened at this, her loyalty growing stronger. There was a newfound respect in her gaze, a recognition of the humility behind his power.

"Now Lira, tell me what sort of power do you have?" Saquin voice pulled her out of her admiration.

Lira's ears lowered, an embarrassed flush coloring her cheeks. "I… have no unique power, my lord," she murmured, bowing her head. Just a demi-human, she thought, bitterly, an ungifted, unworthy to stand at his side.

Saquin only grinned wider. "Oh, you don't have any unique powers? Perfect."

"Huh?" Lira blinked, caught off guard.

"This means I can mold you to suit my taste," he said, his tone both teasing and ominous.

"Wait—what?"

He tilted his head, still smiling. "Now tell me, do you want immortality or more power… No, actually, I'll give you both. You're my right-hand woman, after all."

"Uh… what?"

"Open your mouth," he instructed, his voice firm.

"W-What?" she stammered, the confusion building.

"Just do it."

"Yes, my lord," she managed, opening her mouth hesitantly.

Saquin extended his left arm, using his right hand to make a small cut. As the blood beaded up, he held it close to her mouth. "Drink."

"Huh?"

"Drink it, Lira," he insisted.

"But… my lord, I'm already a demi-human mythic. Drinking vampire blood would just… wouldn't that turn me into a mindless ghoul?"

"A vampire in the sun?" he countered with a raised brow.

"I was about to ask, my lord—how is it that you're unaffected by the sun? And why does your appearance change when you're in contact with it? You looked like a true mythic before, but now… you resemble a higher human, especially with those unique, color-themed features."

"You have a keen eye, Lira. I am both."

"What? That's impos—" Her words were muffled as Saquin pressed his arm against her mouth.

Lira, surprised to feel his arm in her mouth, instinctively tried to pull away. But then, a single drop of his blood hit her tongue.

Spark!

A jolt of electricity coursed through her, shocking her system before giving way to a wave of ecstasy. I want more, she thought, grasping his arm with both hands and drinking eagerly.

A quiet moan escaped her as she felt a strange exhilaration, a feeling unlike any she had known. It was intoxicating.

"Hey, that's enough," Saquin's voice reached her, but her senses were clouded, consumed by the rush. She clung to his arm, drinking as if it were the source of life itself, until—

Bang!

Saquin thumped her lightly on the head, jolting her back to her senses and forcing her to release his arm. She winced, rubbing her head as reality snapped back.

"Ouch." She glanced up, her expression shifting to one of embarrassment. "I... I'm so sorry, my lord. I got carried away. Something like that will never—"

Thud.

Before she could finish, she dropped to the ground, her body convulsing as her transformation took hold. Her fur began to shift, tinged at the tips with hints of blue, with patches of deep black appearing.

A minute later, the spasms ceased. She stood, inspecting her altered fur and newfound power, glancing up at Saquin, who watched her with a knowing smile.

"Do you know what ability you've gained?" Saquin asked, his smile sharp with satisfaction.

Lira examined herself, focusing inward to understand the strange new sensation coursing through her. After a moment, she answered, "It's called Silver of a Moment. It's... complex. I can reverse things within a specific radius. It feels like time reversal, but there's something deeper—something I can't fully grasp yet. I've also gained the ability to manipulate SP, almost like an advanced human, my lord."

"Excellent," Saquin replied with a cruel smirk. "Now, help me track down those two fools who refuse to pay homage to their new lord."

[Ever-changing personality, this one,] Mythic noted.

"Yes, my lord." Lira bowed, turning to leave. But as she took her first step, Saquin called out again.

"Oh, and Lira," he said, his voice laced with a sinister pride, "from this moment forward, you will be known as my right hand, the Silverdeath. Together, we'll reap the lives of our enemies like twigs stripped from a tree."

With a nod, Lira met his gaze, her loyalty renewed—and her newfound power ready for the task ahead.