A Tale Of Bloodlust
by Noe
      
      "Devastating Betrayal"
      
      It was the most black of nights, with an overcast blocking out any light that the stars could have provided. A thick fog had rolled into the city, causing a most eerie feeling of fear and uncertainty. Those that had decided not to retire to their homes were found at the bar, drinking ale, telling stories, and enjoying carefree lives for the most part. It was this night that fate decided to let another embrace the darkness that few would accept.
      Noe Arikon walked through the thick fog, with thoughts of revenge running rampant through him. Once a man that believed in law and order, now turned on by the very things he put his trust into. He stripped himself of the armor that had been passed down to him from the guards and protectors of the city, dropping the expensive equipment aimlessly in the streets. He wandered into an alleyway, wearing now only a pair of worn boots, some gruddy leggings, and a torn shirt, Noe was defeated by the betrayal that had overcome him and his family.
      Noe walked into a small tavern at the end of a poor alley and bought a mug of dark ale. He sat there and reflected on the previous nights happenings, every moment becoming more vivid then the last. He remembered how his brother, Aca, and his brothers wife, Lisa, had come from Tansar that day, and how much joy they had within them. Lisa, allowing herself to trust the city officials, as she should, asked a guard assistance on finding Noe, as it had been long since they had seen each other and she did not know her way through the city. She came crying into the bar that night... bloodied, bruised, and crying. The guard had tried to rape her. After Lisa had struggled away from the pig, she had come running into the bar, sobbing her story to Noe and her husband. Little did they know that this would be the last time they would see Aca alive as he stormed out of the bar...
      Noe had taken Lisa into his room, calming her down with clean clothes and letting her clean up. After he had brought her down to wait in the bar he set out to find his enraged brother, and find him he did. Aca laid face down in a pool of his own blood, with many gashes on his body, and a sword embedded in his back. Noe stood up, his eyes filled with disbelief, which only lasted a fleeting second as a knight of the city knocked him out with a hard pound in the back of the head.
      Noe woke up the next morning on the shores near the amazons. His vision was a blur of light and his head pounded in pain. As Noe collected himself and sat up only to see the corpse of Lisa, with blood flowing from her mouth, and staining the sand beneath her. Noe scrambled to his feet, and like a flood the memories of the previous night swamped into his mind. This with the affect that the blow to the head had given to him caused him to fall over again. He lay there, dazed and full of rage. After clamoring to his feet Noe then started his trek up river, walking slowly, trying to think of what it is he could do. Knowing the king would never believe him, and not being able to trust the guards he became stumped.
      Noe set his mug down and paid the bartender, not saying a word to him, nor the other few regulars in the small tavern. Walking back down the dismal alley Noe took some good long looks at the beggars, wondering if that is what he may become. As he walked into the Screaming Ogre Bar, he noticed only a few eyes recognized him without his shielding. Those few eyes gave him cold stares as if they knew what was to become of him. He trudged up the stairs, going to his room at the Inn, knowing only thoughts of pain, loss, and pure anger. He walked into his room, not noticing its profound darkness, nor the tall man standing in the corner. Noe collapsed on the bed, and stared out the window, waiting for the world's judgment.
      With lightening speed the tall dark figure in the corner was towering over Noe, his hand covering his mouth as to prevent a scream, which did not come. Noe stared up at the man and pushed the hand away from his mouth.
      In a hushed voice Noe whispered to the man, "What are you doing here, I thought you were wanted, you are to be killed on sight!" Noe noticed a faint grin on the mans face as he scanned the room. "They cannot touch me, they cannot see me, and I do not exist..."
      Noe sat up, nodding at the man. "I haven't seen you in some time m'lord" Noe said in a still hushed voice. "What has brought you back to the city?"
      The man pointed at Noe, and in a low voice told him, "You ma boy, and the power to allow you the revenge on this city and the corrupt protectors of it."
      With that Noe was on his feet, staring at the man with vengeful eyes. "What are you talking about!?!?!" Noe's voice had lost any sense of calmness it had, and was nearly yelling.
      
      "Your brother and his wife of course, what else would I be talking about?" A rather cynical undertone came across to Noe, but it was not the voice that concerned him, but more how the man knew about the happenings.
      "You know... how do you know?"
      "Because Noe, I have that ability... and I have a question I need to ask you... a question that could very well change your life."
      With a new sense of hesitation Noe looked at the man, slowly backing away. Noe had always sensed something odd about the man that was now offering some unbelievable power to him, but only now did he see what it was. Only now had it dawned on him.
      Remembering now every confrontation with the man, Noe realized he had never seen him during the day. From when he was a stranger taking Noe into his home, to now, not once had it been during daylight hours. With that, Noe backed away, pressing himself against the wall.
      An evil grin came across the mans face. "You have finally come to the realization haven't you boy? Well what will it be, remembering that I am giving you a choice..."
      "Christof... why now? Why have you never... let me realize what you are?"
      "Only now has the emotions inside you let you overcome my control... only now would I offer you the chance of an immortal... life... now choose!"
      Noe sank down until he was sitting, deep in thought, his eyes staring into nothing. In absolute awe at what had been confronted to him, Noe hesitated, but eventually looked back at Christof. Slowly standing up, Noe nodded at Christof, and with that, accepting his new life.
      Christof moved quickly over to Noe, and wrapped his hand around his muscular neck. With a quick and sudden motion Christof flung the half-giant across the room, causing a loud thud, and a painful groan from Noe. Before Noe could stand Christof was again over him, pushing the Noe against the wall, and lifting him off the ground. "You must be prepared for hell, this is your LAST chance for a mortal life..."
      "Don't threaten me with mortal life... I've lost everything and you know it..."
      With that Christof slashed Noe's neck, causing blood to flow freely from it and stain his already gruddy clothing. When Christof dropped Noe the once strong man could no longer stand, and was well on his way to death. With a casual, uncaring walk Christof headed to a small bag that was thrown in the corner. He returned to the large, almost motionless body with a wine bottle. As he handed the bottle to Noe he muttered in a barely audible voice, "Drink this boy, and you will gain the power I promised you..." then moved back into the shadows of the room, watching Noe intently. As Christof watched his movements Noe conjured up the last traces of strength he had and tipped the bottle against his lips. The liquid entered his mouth, and a taste he recognized all to well from previous battles filled oozed over his tastebuds. He swallowed a large mouthful of the blood, and dropped the bottle beside him.
      Noe's head fell to the floor, and he lay unmoving for a few moments. With a sudden jolt Noe started screaming and groaning. Grasping his chest Noe moaned out to Christof, "What... is happening to..." Before he could finish the question Noe was overcome by another shockwave of torturing pain.
      "Your body is dieing Noe, pay no attention to it... a small price to pay for what you will receive afterwards."
      After what seemed to be an eternity Noe's body calmed. His skin slowly paled until it was white as snow, his once dirty, un-kept, coal like hair slowly transformed into long, flowing hair as black as the night sky. His eye color disintegrated and turned a cold steel blue. With a light gasp a pair of long, sharp fangs slowly appeared, glinting in the dim lights trickling through the fog and into the window. Noe stood, and as he looked at Christof he knew he was a man reborn.
      Almost as quick as this new found energy came to him, a feeling of weakness took Noe's body, and he gathered the energy to make it to his bed, before collapsing on it, and falling into a deep slumber.
      
      "Cravings Discovered"
      
      Noe was knocked out with exhaustion. Memories of his family, and his transformation swam through his thoughts, leaving him unsure what was real, and what was his dreams. When he did awake Noe felt very weak, but at the same time felt a tremendous amount of power surging through his body. Still unsure of what happened, or how long he had been passed out, he scanned the room with his eyes. "How long have I been asleep?"
      "Almost three days lad, quick compared to most..."
      "Why does my body feel like jelly...?"
      Christof walked over to Noe and handed him a glass filled with a crimson liquid, of course being blood. "Drink that, it will give you the energy to move."
      Noe consumed the contents of the glass quickly, letting the blood flow down his throat. With an almost immediate affect Noe was able to stand, and move. Although his movements were sluggish he knew more was to come. Christof led him down the stairs into the bar. There the two sat until the sun went down, discussing many things, including how to survive in Noe's new state of being.
      "Just remember Childe, blood is your life force, if you don't feed you will die... that is if the beast doesn't take you first. The more you feed the more powerful you will become. In your current state you cannot even drink water without a pain more immense then your death ritual. Once you have gained your strength you can withstand sunlight, water, and most important, injury. "
      The two sat there for close to three hours, and Noe listened intently to Christof. Hearing Christof's stories, banishments, and even tried executions. Although Noe was frightened about his new life, he was intrigued of how powerful he could now become... and deep down, he was already thinking of his revenge on the city.
      The sun slowly set, and as the last traces of light left the land, Christof and Noe set out into the city. Due to the bounty on Christof's head, and the inevitable watch out for Noe, the two vampire's stayed in the shadows. Taking back alleys and dark streets the two made it to the south gate of Makilor, and quickly made their way past the men-at-arms guarding the gate. With only a short walk Christof slowed near a dock looking over the Galt River. Two sailors stood there, trying to make a few coins teaching men to swim.
      Christof approached the two sailors without any sign of fear, and studied them. They were big bulky men, almost the size of Noe. Noe having the blood of giants in him knew that these men would not be easy prey, and wondered how Christof could manage both of them.
      "Could you gentlemen point me towards the nearest Inn, I seem to have lost my way..."
      The smaller of the two sailors pointed Christof in the direction of the Inn. At the peak of the mans vulnerability Christof slammed his fist into the young mans gut, causing him to fall to his knees, gasping for air. Before either Noe or the other sailor could react Christof punctured the mans skull with his fingers. Blood poured from the mans open skull, with two streams flowing from his ears as his eyes rolled back into his head. Christof yanked the limp body up, and plunged his long silver fangs into the mans neck, drawing mouthfuls of dark blood.
      The other sailor in terror charged Christof screaming out for help. Christof flung the corpse he was holding into the river like a rag doll, and focused his attention on the attack coming. With a swiftness of a wolf Christof scratched the mans face clean off! In agony the sailor stumbled around screaming, holding what was left of his face, with blood seeping through his trembling fingers. Christof walked behind the giant of a man, grabbed his forehead, and forced the man to look up at him. With an evil glare Christof used his nails to cut the mans throat. The body fell limp.
      Without any hesitation Noe was on top of the man, drinking the blood, and feeling the energy surge through his very soul. Christof was watching the corpse intently, and quickly grabbed Noe by the back of the neck, throwing him backwards. "Never drink from a completely dead body, you must stop before the heart does... the beast is a rather temperamental sensation, and hard to control... also, if you ever drain a body of all it's blood, be prepared for a night of agonizing pain my friend... you must always leave some in the body!"
      Noe wiped the blood from his lips, and stood up, all his previous strength returned and then some. A feeling only known by those of the undead filled him, and for once in his meaningless life he felt a purpose. Chaos began to consume his every thought, followed quickly by thoughts of revenge and a craving for blood.
      As Noe looked around at the world, wondering how to ease his new cravings, Christof was busy tossing the huge corpse into the river, not wanting his bounty increased by such an easy find. "What an odd feeling this is..." Noe whispered, in awe of how much his senses increased already. "I can hear the guards at the gates... talking about... treasonous thoughts..."
      "You will find many things are going to change for you Childe... but I must be leaving... I will return at my earliest convenience..." And with that Christof vanished into a cloud of smoke and dust.
      Noe wandered the streets of Makilor into the earlier morning hours that night. Pondering to himself about many things. How do handle his newfound thirst... how to hide his new identity... how he was going to go on without any family... but mainly, how he was going to exact his retribution on the city.
      He walked through the bar once again, up to his room, hearing almost every conversation in every room on his way there. He noticed he was now always staying in the darkest spots he saw... almost involuntarily and this thought excited him.
      When Noe entered his room he noticed a presence almost immediately, but did not know it to be friend or foe. "Show yourself!" Noe bellowed, "Show yourself or be doomed!"
      A small lackey staggered forward, fearful for his life, and showing no threat to Noe.
      "What are you doing in my room boy?... SPEAK!"
      "Many pardons sir, but my master asked you take this..." The boy pushed forward a heavy chest, and stood there hunched and wanting to be anyplace but in the presence of the vampire.
      "Be gone boy..."
      "Thank you m'lord" The boy bowed out of the room, leaving Noe staring down at the chest. Noe carefully opened the chest, and a smile spread across his face at what he saw. A set of clothing was lying in it, and Noe quickly changed into them. Tossing his dirty, torn clothes into the corner Noe was now wearing a much more elaborate wardrobe. Consisting of black bondage pants, a tight black shirt, some hard leather boots, a chain with a buckle made from a small skull, and many small trinkets worn around the neck and wrists.
      After getting used to the fit Noe lay on the bed and drifted into a deep sleep. Knowing only that what was promised to him was fulfilled Noe dreamed of the glorious revenge soon to come. A bloody grin came across his face...
      
      "Warnings in Blood"
      
      Noe woke just before dusk the next night. He dreamt of his retribution all night, and how he would kill every last guard he saw. Although when he awoke he realized this fantasy would never come to light, he did know he could cause troubles to make their lives as miserable as his.
      Noe stood and walked to the fall wall. His hands trailed carefully over the wood until he found the small crack he was looking for. Noe followed the crack down to the floor, and as he reached the bottom pushed hard against the wall. A small portion of the wall moved back, allowing just enough for his Noe's hand to grip the floorboard. He lifted the large plank, and pulled out a huge battle-axe. Inscribed on the steel handle, was his last name. Noe had not seen this axe for many years, and with a sense of great pride strapped the massive weapon across his back. He again reached into the floor and pulled out a katana edged with diamond and covered in strange symbols. He quickly sheathed this in his belt. Reaching into the floor one last time Noe pulled out a long black sword. This sword was given to him from a dark stranger, and had the mark of Nixil engraved in it.
      After sheathing his weapons in his belt Noe heard a knocking at his door. Cautiously he walked towards it. With one hand ready to draw his katana Noe opened the door. Before him stood a guard of the city, with an enraged look on his face. "Are you Noe Arikon?"
      Still not sure what the man wanted Noe hesitated to answer. "Who wants to know..."
      The guard walked past Noe into the room. Noe closed the door, and turned to face the brave young man. "What do you want?" Noe's hand gripped his katana tight.
      "Simple you huge twit..." The guard now turned to face Noe, Drawing a long sword and a large mace. "Covering my tracks..."
      The guardsman charged at Noe, swinging the heavy mace at his chest. As he drew his katana to meet the guards attack a thought deep inside him ... and he knew that it would not end with this guard. Still, this puny man killed his brother.
      Moments before the mace would have made contact with his chest Noe used his katana to swipe the weapon from him. With an evil grin Noe stepped forward and swung his fist into the guards face, causing a smear of blood to splatter his face. The guard, confused already from the light blow to the head swung his sword at Noe, which was blocked again the folded blade of the Katana. Stepping forward again Noe launched a kick to the man's chest, which sent him reeling backwards into the wall.
      The two men stood there a moment, staring at each other. Noe stalked towards the guard, and with a powerful swing of his blade knocked the sword free from the guards grip. After hearing the sword hit the ground the guard tried to defeat Noe with an attack with his fists. Noe easily dodged the attack. He confronted the guard with a massive head butt, causing the man to fall over and let out a long groan.
      "Stop, stop no more!" The guard pleaded for his life.
      "You come telling me you killed MY family... threaten MY life... and have the gall to as for forgiveness!?!?"
      Tears poured from the guards eyes as he knew Noe would have no mercy, he only prayed for a quick death. Enraged and infuriated Noe brought down his katana into the guards chest in one fluent motion, cutting through the cheap armor and splitting his chest wide open. The guard cried out in pain, and fell backwards, blood pouring over his rusted armor. Noe sheathed the katana in his belt, and looked down at the body. Loud gurgled groans came from the man, and Noe was bathed in joy for a brief moment. Drawing his axe Noe walked up beside the still squirming body. "You cover your tracks well..." Resting the edge of his axe on the gaping wound on the mans chest Noe looked into his eyes. "Welcome to my world... maggot..." Noe lifted his axe above his head and swung down hard. With a scream of terror, and a splatter of blood Noe's axe came down in the middle of the mans chest. The body fell limp, blood pooling from the wound, staining the wood floor.
      Once again strapping the massive axe on his back Noe took the body of the guard and drank the blood oozing from it. Grabbing the guards weapons Noe wondered what to do with the body. A few thoughts passed through his mind... and eventually he grinned, knowing what to do. Knowing he could not walk through the busiest bar in Makilor with a dead body was not possible he snuck out the window, carrying the body over his shoulder.
      Noe carried the body into the temple of Makilor. Drawing the guards own sword he stuck the corpse to the wall, sticking it through the mans gut, deep into a crack in the wall. Then using the guards mace Noe splattered the skull, painting the wall with blood. Noe shoved his hand into the wound of the corpse, and after withdrawing his hand wrote over a part of the wall that had not yet been splattered. He smeared on the wall the symbol of Nixil, and grinned as he wrote his message. "Corruption was only the beginning"
      
      "Lost Soul"
      
      Noe knew right away he could not purge the city of all those whom may be corrupt. He also knew that deep down inside, the remnants of his humanity did not want to try. For weeks the city guards were scrambling to find the fiend who killed the guard, and defiled the temple of Phaet.
      Watching in amusement as the guards scurried about and asked questions to anyone and everyone. He studied the movements, faces, and reactions of each guard. He noticed very well that many guards were in fact honorable, and trustworthy. Genuine disgust of the act came across their faces, and Noe intended to let them be. Noe also found that some guards looked more of fear. Not fear of dieing... nor fear of disgrace... but fear of their true identity being exposed to the masses.
      Still remembering the disgust he saw in the crooked underbelly of the justice system, Noe, to this very day, feeds off the fools whom try to inflict the pain the guardsman caused to him onto others. Knowing no rest he still faces the challengers of the vampire race. Known to many guards and paladins alike as a common thug, Noe watches and waits for his next chance at redemption.
      Constant dreams of his past haunt him. In losing his family Noe's soul was lost. A vampire with a lost soul... Noe can only think of one thing... blood.