He finally opened his eyes and his confusion only got deeper. His clothing was battered, the small holes on his vest allowed vigil to see his bare skin. It was pale, lifeless.
Vigil clutched his chest, the once familiar feeling of his heart beating softly against his ribcage was gone. His mind continued to barrage with never-ending questions.
'What happened to me' Vigil thought while checking his own body. He felt his back wet and with a quick look, he realised his body was surrounded by a pool of blood. Panicking he checked his body again, checking for wounds but he found nothing.
His hands grazed against the neck and with the tip of his fingers, he felt a big protruding scar around his neck. Vigil shimmered as he remembered the axe falling upon his head, and the crowd surrounding him roaring for bloodshed.
He slowly lifted himself up against the cavern walls, it took a few attempts though, his legs were rigid and his feet sluggish almost like a toddler learning to walk for the very first time.
'Where the hell am I?'. Vigil thought as he looked around. He found himself in the middle of a cavern. On his right was a small pond of water.
To his left a pocket of space opened within the cavern. the ground was filled with what looked like dried old bones, patches of green moss covered the walls of the cavern.
Vigil stepped closer to the pond, as he leaned in, his reflection emerged and for a moment he stood still. Staring straight back at him was a pale young man. Sharp crimson eyes glowed like embers. His teeth were sharp, almost fang-like and the tips of his ears tapered into delicate points.
"I've become a monster" he whispered, a bitter laugh escaping the corner of his lips.
"Please, even monsters have standards" A small but squeaky voice startled Vigil, he immediately turned towards the direction of the voice.
His eyes widen as he noticed a small bat flying above him, its purple eyes were looking directly at him. How could have he failed to notice his presence? He thought while grabbing a loosened rock.
"I don't think that's going to work, but points for creativity" the bat continued, seemingly unperturbed by Vigil's reaction.
"Just who are you! And how can you even speak!" Vigil demanded while aiming toward the bat.
"I am a familiar" The bat said while landing on a gap of the cavern wall. "And you are my master, I was waiting for you to wake up".
Confused, vigil lowered his hand, he gripped the stone harder "Master? What are you talking about? Are you the one that turned me into this? I was supposed to be dead" his voice hoarse, echoing through the cavern.
"Well technically, you're not alive nor dead Master" the bat answered with what seemed to resemble laughing. "You are an undead, and to answer your question, no I was not the one that turned you".
Vigil struck the cavern wall, driven with uncontrollable rage, the wall bore the fruit of his brutality, a small jagged hole now marked its surface.
"Don't you dare lie to me monster" he said while slowly approaching the bat.
"Familiars can't lie to their masters, my role is to support you" the bat answered, its voice tense, betraying its relaxed composure".
"Then tell me what I have become and how!" said Vigil, his voice cruel and demanding.
"You have the traits of a vampire" his voice was steady "Though for now you are weak. The change is still settling in you, as for how I don't have the answer for that".
Vigil felt dizzy, the words striking him like a blow. A vampire. He glanced down at his own hands, pale and trembling and then back at the familiar.
"The gods are cruel, I was betrayed, killed, and now cursed into a monster" the tip of his tongue tasting injustice.
"Cursed?" the bat added while he flew closer towards him "Is that what you call it? Master, you were not cursed. You were gifted. Power beyond human limits, strength that humans can only dream of. You are no longer bound by the frailty of flesh. You are… more."
Vigil's sharp red eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto the bat. "A chance to set things right, to clear my name."
The familiar eyes shined brightly while looking towards its master "While I'm content that I've given you some direction," it said, its voice calm but insistent, "I would advise you to feed. The transformation is still settling within you, and your body will demand sustenance." It tilted its head slightly, studying Vigil with an almost clinical curiosity. "Tell me, master, have you been experiencing symptoms?
Vigil's mind was still wondering over his own condition when he was startled by the familiar's urgency
I felt a bit dizzy a while ago," Vigil admitted, his voice distant, as if he were still trying to piece together the fragments of his thoughts. "But nothing much more than that."
The bat fluttered closer, its tiny wings beating rapidly as it hovered near his shoulder. "That's the initial symptom of withdrawal," it said, its high-pitched voice carrying a note of urgency. The thirst will only grow stronger, master It's best to find something to feed on now before it becomes unbearable."
"And what exactly am I supposed to feed on?" he asked, his voice giving a hint of disgust.
The bat's glowing eyes shone with something close to amusement. "This is a cave, master," it said, its tone almost teasing. "Where there's darkness, there's life. Rats, bats, even insects—they can sustain you for now. It won't be enough to satisfy you completely, but it will keep the worst of the symptoms at bay. Until you're ready for… something more substantial."
"Fine, but this doesn't mean I've accepted what I am."
The bat chirped. "Acceptance will come in time," it said. "For now, survival is enough."
Vigil and his familiar moved deeper into the cavern, the walls seemed to close around them, the air grew colder, it carried the scent of humidity and ancient stones.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the drip of water echoing somewhere in the distance. But as they pressed on, a new sound alerted Vigil's ears. It was a rhythmic noise that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand. It was the sound of something tearing into flesh.
"Do you hear that, master?" the bat asked, its tone was both cautious and curious.
Vigil nodded. It was coming from a narrow passage ahead, partially obscured by group of rocks. The scent of blood hit him then, rich and divine, stirring something primal deep within him. His nails seemed to grow sharper as if they were trying to reach the smell.
"Something's feeding," he whispered, his voice was tense.
"Be careful, master," the bat, warned. "Whatever it is, it may not take kindly to sharing its meal."
Vigil hesitated, his instincts screaming within him. The hunger gnawed at him, urging him forward, but the rational part of his mind screamed caution. Still the smell of blood was impossible to ignore. He moved closer, slowly and silently.
Peeking around the corner, he saw it: a figure crouched in the shadows, its back turned to him. The creature was massive, its matted fur glistening in the faint light as it tore into the carcass of some unfortunate animal.
The bat landed softly on his shoulder. "This could be your chance, master," it said. "If you're quick, you might be able to take what's left—or even take down the creature itself. Its blood would sustain you far better than rats or insects."
The idea of confronting the beast was terrifying, but the thought of fresh blood was intoxicating.
"Stay close," he murmured to the bat, his voice barely a whisper. "If this goes wrong, I'll need you to guide me out of here."