This is a daily reminder: You have 32 unallocated stat points

  I guess I hadn't drunk him dry. A pity… That's my takeaway. My sadness is that I didn't get my fill. A thirteen year old thief whose greatest act of violence was attempting to escape from me and … I don't care. I mean the alleyway rapist deserved it. But the boy…didn't? I was struggling before with guilt now I struggle at trying to feel guilty…

  I will my body to move. I shift to my attendant form and join Qorth and Violet. Qorth was her glorious Tibyder self while Violet was in attendant form working some cloth. We were still short. She drank me completely and didn't grow an inch. Systems we need to devour more…

  You have gained [Craft Textiles 2] Intermediate 9

  Agility raised to 433

  I smile.

  “Something up, Red?”

  “I woke up after seeing Billy and Bipp die and I don't care.”

  “Have your emotions become muted again, my Lady.”

  Qorth is looking at me intently. I scan myself. Ah shit, Violet can't manipulate my blood anymore, my skin is as pearl white as she is. What a waste of blood… Qorth tilts her head.

  “You seem to be putting out your usual amount of emotions, my Lady.”

  I smile at that, just little ole Vampire me. Undead body but still capable of everything but…

  “Empathy.”

  Violet finishes my thought. I'm shaken by it. I ask in a not at all strong of a voice.

  “Do you know why?”

  “You have been reborn as a Vampire, Red, from me. The dryad said we wouldn't care when we were rebirthed. It happened to me when I died as a manifestation.”

  I get annoyed at that, “You were healing though, started to—”

  “I think I was borrowing your empathy. Perhaps if you had devoured me instead of the other way around we might still care. The moment I ate you, it was gone. I have freed you from your cage of guilt, Red, rejoice.”

  Not sure that's the thing I should be doing now. Qorth is tilting her head.

  “Well shit, are we going to go devour everything now?”

  “Whatever for, sounds like a quick way to starve Red. You know if we don't get squished like a bug. Besides, your empathy led you to devour people, my lack of it never did.”

  Qorth interrupts before I could give a rebuttal.

  “My Ladies, is it true, you no longer care for the lives of others.”

  I hug Qorth side, “I still care about you and my family and friends. I just don't think I care about those I kill anymore. Sorry, Qorth. I do wish to tell you of the latest two lives. Before it was to create distance, maybe now we can try to make them more than a meal.”

  She nods at that. Violet interjects.

  “Cept for Bipp, he was less than a meal.”

  “You know, I do regret having his memories.”

  Qorth looks hopeful.

  I explain, “He was incredibly awful, a predator and a rapist.”

  Qorth sighs.

  -----

  “The pattern of your flower seems reversed, Red”

  I giggle which causes Delores to become more confused.

  “Sorry, I'm Violet, mistress. My flower changed last night.”

  Seems I stained it with blood. My sister was mostly red with streaks of black. I am black with streaks of red. Our sense of drama at work.

  “O more like your sister now, your skin is practically white. I'm glad you're back.”

  I smile and direct my thoughts to her.

  It's more like I made her more like me. Now chin up mistress, I drained my lakes greatly and I am in need of a bit of color.

  What are you doing?

  Her chin tilts up as her eyes start to show panic, it was not by her will that has her nose pointed at the ceiling. I bite down on her throat. Just a bit of blood. Wonderful. I release her before she gives more than a pint. The punctures already healed. My face becomes a bit more alive.

  Just taking my due. The money your father pays me means nothing. Your blood though is refreshing. Thank you.

  Are you going to keep taking my blood?

  I already know you want me too.

  “What color flower would you like today, mistress?”

  Her hand brushes my face as I grow the flower.

  -----

  I feel it wash over me. I lay back with my rabbits. Only our thirst is shared. We have made it a part of our soul. At this time she would have been with Delores. How gauche to take from our mistress...I really have changed. I am more envious of my sister than I am sad about our situation. I look at our most distressing notification.

  [Soul Eater] has become [Fastidious Soul Eater] Basic

  Fastidious Soul Eater - to she who both offered and devoured her own soul

  Basic - You now can choose which souls you wish to eat, but we know you are a glutton

  So much pain could have been avoided. If that was the first level up and not the latest. No, that's not right. I killed them, the least I can do is witness them. Speaking of witnessing.

  Barbain dear, how do you progress on your path to damnation?

  Dramatic much mother, I am ready for the next tier.

  Are you now? Ready to give up your heart? You'll become undead like us.

  Pfft you said it yourself, you are no mundane undead. Who needs a heart?

  Go find somewhere private dear.

  Violet, would you join me for a moment.

  -Sure.

  She is with me now, her hair ultra violet with one strand of dirty blonde hair instead of our original two. I changed mine to be mostly blood red with black streaks. I made the strand she was missing be my dirty blonde memorial.

  “Would you close your entrance please, sister.”

  She looks annoyed at me but she does.

  “You're walking back to the estate, Red.”

  “As you wish.”

  I pull Barbain to me.

  “What the hell?”

  “Hello daughter.”

  Violet hugs Barbain. I didn't...

  “How am I here?”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Simple, you still have a drop of my blood.”

  “Oh.”

  Violet asks the question.

  “Are you ready to become more, Barbain Blacknell?”

  “We are mothers.”

  She opens her mouth ready for my blood. I walk up to her and tip her mouth close. She doesn't understand as I further push her chin up. I bite down. Her eyes widen as I hug her close to myself. She returns the hug. It takes awhile, Tibyder bodies are quite large, but I take all of her blood. All that remains in her is my single drop, if I took that now she would truly die. She is deathly pale, still lucid. Just a mundane undead. I pull back, the punctures in her neck gape. I give her a moment.

  “I'm dead…undead. This is what it's like?”

  Her voice was monotone. She looks around the room.

  “Everything is grey, mother. I know I should be panicking but I don't feel anything.”

  I nod and speak to her, to her very soul.

  “Undead do you wish to remain like this or claim your place as my daughter.”

  A rage burns within her. She is weak but she doesn't hesitate. She bites down onto my neck. As she drinks, her bone marrow shrivels. She drinks more. Her capillaries begin to shrivel up too. Her drinking starts to collapse her heart. She feels all of this. Knows what is happening to her. No longer a mundane undead, a Vampire. She drinks until her heart is gone. The black sludge that is now her blood begins to move by her will alone. Bathing her organs. She has more color now. She audibly gulps.

  You have gained [Vampress Matriarch] Basic 3

  Gain 10 exp

  Guess not just based on the number of daughters but also their progression.

  “Hello, Barbain Blacknell Magdeline.” Violet teases.

  She shudders at that. She pats her chest.

  “It really is gone.”

  “And your body's ability to produce its own blood, I did say this was damnation.” She nods at my words, “Well off you go then, try not to kill anyone. I lost the ability to feel bad about it but I'm hoping you still do.”

  She hugs me again, “You're not a monster, Sara.”

  “What possible definition of a monster would exclude me, Barbain?”

  “You still hope for me not to kill anyone, and you still hold onto what you once were.”

  She touches my single strand of dirty blonde. I suppose I do. I look at Violet and she too looks wistful. Perhaps Barbain is right in this regard.

  “Thank you for that, but really back to class.”

  An ultra violet rose blooms on her head as she leaves. Seems she has yet to devour a person. I wonder how long that will last.

  -Hopefully forever.

  -----

  I make it back in time for lunch. It's a quiet affair. No one says anything about my hair being different. I was paler than my sister as well. Barbain took back almost all the blood I made from her. I made her fully a Vampire now. Her race had changed. I offered her my false soul ring which she just laughed at. Said she would earn her own. It was a good memory.

  Delores heads to her receiving room while I go prepare for her guests.

  -----

  “Your tea, my mistress.”

  Perfect pours.

  “I can see the red now.”

  I nod at Jasmine.

  “Yes, Red has definitely perked up from the last few days. I was dreadfully worried. When she had to take a leave of absence, I was beside myself.”

  “I apologize for my dereliction, mistress.”

  “Nonsense Red, your health is important to me.”

  I give her a small smile before regaining my poise.

  They chat about inane things. But soon it turns into something interesting.

  “They opened the dungeon again. Seems whatever was plaguing its depth has been expunged.”

  “The lich?”

  “Yes, they said Lady Magdeline herself vanquished the creature.”

  I so want to laugh. Vanquish? She embraces it. Depending on the Magdeline, she is it. But it would not be proper to laugh. The tea hater probably still has lingering fears.

  I go to fill the mistress cup, “I always heard monsters, even from outside, will respawn inside a dungeon they roost in. Why was this lich different?”

  “Oh my, your [Attendant] is out of turn, Delores. I don't believe I heard her say so many words before.”

  “O please don't be cross with her, she has become more free since her convalescence. I think it's a good change. Your own [Attendant] has the habit as well.”

  “Fine, fine, but he is more than my [Attendant], he is my knight. More status than your adventurer who pours tea. Hischurl, do you know the answer to Sara's question?”

  The orc takes a moment, “My only thought is either the [Countess] drove the creature out before slaying it or the dungeon itself rejected the creature. A lich generally has an item physically maintaining its existence. She may have simply captured that.”

  “Thank you, Sir Hischurl.” I give a slight bow to the Orc.

  “Will you be going to the tournament of choosing Delores?”

  “Hmmm, the grab bag of knights in training. I feel perfectly safe under Sara. I have no plans of raising a knight.”

  Jasmine eyes me again. My extreme paleness is the only thing that stands out for unfitness.

  “Wasn't she taller before.”

  Hischurl answers before Delores does.

  “She was, my Lady.”

  Jasmine looks to Delores then to me. Delores intones.

  “Only if you wish to say, Red.”

  “A series of rash choices resulted in my diminutive stature. I hope to recover soon.”

  “Are you sure you don't need a knight, we could have them spar and see who would earn their Lady favor.”

  “What stops our [Attendants] from sparing now.”

  Jasmine looks annoyed, “He is not just an [Attendant].”

  “I do think I have riled them. Red will you demonstrate why I don't need a knight.”

  “If that is your request, I assume you wish him to live?”

  Delores nods to me. Now Hischurl is riled up too. He looks to his Lady.

  “We very well can not let such words go unchallenged.”

  “By your leave.” He steps to me, “Is there a particular contest you wish to wage.”

  I smile, “How bout hand crush, Sir Hischurl.”

  “Hand crush?”

  I put my hand up, “We take turns attempting to crush the other’s hand, since I am suggesting it, it's only fair that you get the first round. The winner will be the one who doesn't yield."

  “A contest of strength and you give advantage to me. No, I could not possibly go first.”

  “I only suggested it so our mistress could witness two rounds.”

  He laughs, “So confident in your strength.”

  “Of course Sir, it is after all my lowest stat.”

  Finally my crafting has started to push my agility higher. He grips my hand, with his own larger one. He exerts pressure.

  “Do tell me when it is my turn.”

  Annoyed, he pushes his strength into it and finds no give. His soul is only three fourths of the way through tier one. A decent meal, but a poor contest. I figure this is the safest way to demonstrate our differences. I had reverted my title and level changes after leaving Maknor. Just a twenty something Attendant Adventurer. Sweat pours off the knight.

  “I would not think less of you should you use your other hand.”

  He does not succumb to my taunting. Still he struggles on.

  “What are you?”

  “Bored.”

  He releases my hand. Breathing heavily.

  “Do you need a moment?”

  He raised his hand. Foolish to offer his dominant hand. I grip his rough hand in my uncallous one. The bones in his hand snap like thin twigs. Before he can speak, I do.

  “I yield.”

  His hand is healed as I walk away to retake my position behind the mistress.

  “She spoke of ending it in two rounds but she quit almost immediately on her turn.”

  Delores looks at me. I speak to her guest.

  “I did as I promised, miss.”

  “So you did, congratulations on your victory, my knight.”

  The orc blanches at his Lady's lack of awareness. My own mistress heard every bone I shattered.

  -----

  “Any particular color, Qorth?”

  “Oh ummm, a light blue perhaps, my Lady.”

  I nod. Poor Qorth has been without clothes and hiding in my dungeon for the last few days. Mags tried to get her to leave during our period of …dying, rebirth, my lichification as Red rotted? But she was adamant that no harm would come to her. Red made her some clothes this morning but I wish to expand her options.

  “How have you been adjusting, Qorth?”

  “Well enough, the movement is quite interesting. And your own?”

  I smile, "Interesting to say the least. I took a nip of blood from Delores this morning.”

  “She offered some to you?”

  “No Qorth, I took it. My lakes have yet to recover and Red would be sad if her babies temporarily starved.”

  She shudders at this, she wishes to admonish me but my own soul is pressing down on her to maintain her sense of propriety.

  “Please Qorth, speak your mind.”

  She exhales, “I struggle with this new turn of yours, my Lady. You always had a certain level of maliciousness since I met you but it was generally aimed at those who wronged you. Your mistress has not harmed you in such a way has she?”

  “Ah, one should not gossip about those they serve but I feel your distress. Delores craves danger, she has been a kept daughter for so long. Red found this truth in her after we ate the dryad. She had asked us if she was in danger with us being near her. My sister answered her with a yes. She felt the desire and it was fueling Red's own descent. I am certain Red would have eaten her in a week.”

  Qorth blanches at that, “Surely, you jest.”

  I give her a sad smile, “I implanted a seed into her, a piece of my soul. I prevented the tragedy with a different tragedy. It gives me control over her. I had offered to remove it a few days ago when I felt empathy and the foolish girl convinced me to leave it.”

  “Do you truly believe your sister would have eaten her?”

  “I do, she would have cried the entire time but it would only have spurred her on. I lost my empathy but my sister lost her control. When she confronted me, it was a choice between madnesses. Mine is the one our soul chose.”

  She grows pale, “Will your daughters face such a choice?”

  “It is not a facet of the vampire, but my own weakness, Qorth.”

  I feel her struggle with something. I try to give her comfort

  “Its alright if you do not wish to be a Vampire, Qorth.”

  She huffs, “‘Dense and misreads’, I feel I failed you two, I'd had hoped to help heal you both but it feels like you are a step away from killing.”

  “You are so young Qorth, my burden should not be yours. We already ruined your chance at knighthood.”

  “I am an adult, Sara.”

  Oops touched a nerve, “As an orc, but who can say how long it takes a Tibyder to mature. If it's fifty years why you could be the equivalent of a four year old.”

  “Would that not also be the same for you, ‘bad at teasing’?”

  I bark a laugh at that.

  “Why have you stopped speaking with your voice, Violet?”

  Right back to therapy. I sigh.

  “My voice speaks with desire. I fear it is tinged with my thirst now. I did not wish to influence you until you made your choice.”

  She grows annoyed at that, “You deny me your voice, to not influence me. For one not caring you seem rather considerate, ‘Fools no one but herself’.”

  That is unexpected. “You're not the first to tell me I still care. To be honest, I don't know if it's only because my soul is in you.”

  “Have you shown consideration to anyone you haven't made a part of yourself?”

  “I have but I was also being infected by Red's empathy at the time. I've removed that from her.”

  “‘Speaks harshly but mourns’ I think you judge yourself too harshly. You've been suffering the most from this change.”

  “Suffering is what I do. Qorth, I don't think you understand. I ATE MYSELF. My original body is gone Qorth, I can't even claim to be the original manifestation, I died in my own dungeon … neither Red or I are the original Sara anymore. Sara fed herself to me… she thought herself a monster… fed herself to her own personal monster… and I relished it all, what should have been a time of tears was a time of bliss unadulterated. You fear what I have become. I have become what I feared.”

  I slump down, my emotions pour out till I am empty. Qorth hugs me.

  “Then why did you return, Red?”

  Tears form, only somewhat tinged red.

  …

  She waits for my answer.

  …

  Tears fall, the more they do, the more blood they carry.

  “‘Cause I didn't want to be alone. I could feel her consciousness begin to dissolve in me. Her essence merging into my own. I just couldn't…” But I did...

  No more words were said. My body was back to being as dead as possible. My tears are spending my reserves, they travel my cheeks only to be absorbed by my thirsty skin. It is my blood, I gain nothing for absorbing it. So I cry and further whither. No matter how empty I become, this body still moves.