Obviously Lilith didn't sleep that night, she wasn't so dumb as to forget she would fall into the Dream Realm Again.
She played Video Games all night, and informed herself of what she missed while she was gone, especially the situation in Antarctica, until it was morning. She ate a donut for breakfast and went out. It was a nice change after Months of Sucking the blood of rotten Nightmare Creatures… or at least it would have been, but unfortunately since becoming a Vampire the only thing she liked to taste was blood.
The words of Persephora sounded in her years:
"We like to drink the blood of highly trained, intelligent and healthy creatures, the better a creature is, the better the taste of its blood, of course, it's also subjective, not that a Sacrifice like you would know."
Lilith shook her head and sorted her thoughts before walking again, a sort of plan was taking shape in her head.
***
2 Days passed, Lilith compared the offers of Clan Valor and Clan Song.. Normally, Clan Song would have been a better choice.. they had more Saints, the surroundings of Ravemheart had many more Nightmare creatures then Bastion. and the support she could receive from them was more… But for the first time in her Life, Lilith Felt Ambitious and motivated.
She accepted Valor's Offer and was brought to Bastion.
but Lilith was not a fool, she knew something was brewing in the shadows of the world.
Everyone with a bit of brain matter could feel the tension in the air slowly building up, there were so many signals..
Lilith didn't have any proof, but she Believed that soon. Very soon there would be a War between Clan Song and Clan Valor.. but she lacked too much information and was not strong enough to build even a hazy full picture of why it was happening.. for now.
She did not take a role in Bastion's Knights yet. For a simple reason, She felt too weak. Her first Aspect Ability, [Royal Vampire] was not nearly enough to make up for the current lack of her second Aspect Ability.
And we are not even considering her lousy Battle Art. she could not even start to create it, because she didn't have an Awakened Aspect Ability to build it around of, she would have to find a solution soon…
***
3 More days passed and she went to the Black Market. she easily sold all the Memories she didn't need. and bought new ones.
__________________________________________________
Memory: [Bastard Sword]
Memory Rank: Awakened
Memory Tier: II
Memory Description: [A Bastard Sword crafted by a nameless Smith]
(Which she sold for 2 Awakened Soul shards)
__________________________________________________
Memory: [Scavenger's Armor]
Memory Rank: Awakened
Memory Tier: II
Memory Description: [An Armor Crafted by a nameless Smith]
(Which she sold for 2 Awakened Soul Shards)
__________________________________________________
Memory: [Witch's Box]
Memory Rank: Ascended
Memory Tier III
Memory Description: [A small box belonging to a Witch that fell into despair in search of the Truth, This Box has a single spell, but be carefull, for this spell could either Harm you, your Enemies, or Both. Do you feel Lucky?]
Memory Enchantment: [Random Attack]
[Random Attack] Attribute description: [Once this box is opened, Any attack could flow out. a Poisoned Arrow, a Potion, A Sword piercing your opponent, a Rain of hundreds of arrows, a Fireball, Instant Death, or anything else. Will you risk it?]
(which she sold for 7 Awakened soul shards)
__________________________________________________
Memory: [Necromancer's Scepter]
Memory Rank: Ascended
Memory Tier: III
Memory Description: [This scepter was used by a Necromancer to build his undead army, Its powers are diminished after countless years. but it could still perform a last act of Necromancy. Use it against a dead Nightmare Creature to obtain an Echo up to the same power as this Scepter.]
Memory Enchantments: [Echomancy]
[Echomancy] Attribute Description: [You can use this memory once to obtain an Echo up to the Ascended Demon Rank. after it is done, this Memory will be destroyed.]
(Which Lilith Sold for 15 Ascended Soul Shards)
__________________________________________________
Memory: [Black Champion's Armor.]
Memory Rank: Ascended
Memory Tier: IV
Memory Description: [This armor was once used by a Champion from an Ancient Order. It gives an Incredible amount of Protection, but it is Very Heavy.]
Memory Enchantments: [Over Protect], [Showoff], [Test of Spirit]
[Over Protect] Attribute Description: [This armor is incredibly resistant against all sorts of attacks.]
[Showoff] Attribute Description: [This armor strengthen the user when used in front of a Crowd, the bigger the crowd, the better the buff.]
[Test of Will] Attribute Description: [This Armor gives an incredible buff to those who despite carrying its weight, still help those in need, protect what he cherishes, and protect what is Defenseless.]
(Which Lilith sold for 9 Ascended Soul Shards)
__________________________________________________
Memory: [Malevolent Crossbow]
Memory Rank: Ascended
Memory Tier: IV
Memory Description: [This Malevolent Crossbow slowly imbues the wielder with evil thoughts]
Memory Enchantments: [Ghostly Darts], [Deadly Darts], [Dark Will], [Stealth Darts]
[Ghostly Darts] Attribute Description: [Darts shot with this crossbow will pierce all enemies through until it hits a wall]
[Deadly Darts] Attribute Description: [Darts shot with this crossbow will make the body of the hit target rot from within at a fast pace]
[Poison Darts] Attribute Description: [Darts shot with this crossbow are poisoned]
[Dark Will] Attribute Description: [The wielder of this crossbow will slowly accumulate Dark and Evil Thoughts]
(Which Lilith Sold for 8 Ascended Soul Shards)
__________________________________________________
As for the few other memories she had to sell, she put them in an online site, and paid someone to look after them, anyhow, it was settled.
Now Lilith had 1527 Soul Shards which she did not know how to use.
so she looked for memories to buy.
in the end. she bought only a few essential things, when she was richer and needed them, she would make someone craft memories for her.
She bought 2 better spatial Memories, [Handy Pocket] and [Bottle]
[Handy Pocket] was a Memory that had 5² of space inside it.
while [Bottle], was a simple glass bottle that could store 250 liters of liquid inside, and had 5 compartments for different liquids.
***
After this was done, Lilith could finally focus on a truly important matter.
She didn't join the knights of Valor yet because she wanted to be among the Top… not out of Pride or Loyalty.. Lilith had a Clear Goal this time.
so, she began her immoral plan to quickly grow more powerful.
When she slept in the day, she went to Bastion, but she only studied and searched for information for now. her true work was in the Waking World for now.
Lilith first decided to visit Every Big Hospital in NQSC, there were 25 big ones, and each one would take a whole night to suck dry.
This was Lilith First time, but she was quite confident.. as for the Mark left on the patient's skin.. she didn't care.
[...]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You Sucked a Dormant Human's Blood.]
[You have received 113 Blood Fragments.]
[Your Blood Core grows Stronger.]
…
By the time it was morning, she Summoned [Void Dress] and casually walked out of the hospital, certain no one saw her.
Lilith went home, slept and repeated.. for 24 times..
[You have received 79 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 103 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 59 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 98 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 134 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 101 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 176 Blood Fragments.]
[Your Soul Sea is Boiling with Power.]
[A new Blood Core is Taking Shape from the Blood Sea.]
[A new Blood Core has been Formed.]
[You have received 105 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 87 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 114 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 59 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 86 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 93 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 223 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 55 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 193 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 83 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 170 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 51 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 87 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 89 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 200 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 109 Blood Fragments.]
[You have received 173 Blood Fragments.]
…
Blood Cores: [3/7]
Blood Fragments: [2084/3000]
…
Lilith was.. feeling strange.
this felt like cheating her way up.. but she immediately dismissed her stupid thought.
'..I may be 'skipping' a big part of progress.. but its because my growth is already compromised.. might as well start doing things when you have 7 Blood Cores.. at least then i can hold my own against skilled people. and grow more skilled by the minutes.'
Meanwhile, in Bastion, When she Slept, she already began paying for training, she learned the basics of Swordsmanship, Spearmanship, Bowmanship, and so on.. but most of all she sparred with her bare hands against opponents with swords, spears and bows.. her body was the foundation, but most of all, Lilith clearly felt that she would mostly fight opponents with her bare body, Weapons were just tools after all..
She was the weapon.
…
'No time to laze around… lets keep going.'
Lilith kept a stable but very hard pace, but she enjoyed it, for the first time she felt excited, for the first time she felt like she had a purpose, for the first time, she felt Alive. so she kept going as fast as she could.
***
1 month..
She had very little interaction with her mother and brother, but they were not worried. that was the life of an Awakened.
She hangs out with her best friend Kry rarely, only once or twice a month. but Kry understood, after all Kry herself still went to school like a normal person.
and so she kept her rhythm
on the day when she spelt, she was training in Bastion, by then she had mastered the basics of Swordsmanship, Spearmanship and Bowmanship, But she was not satisfied with her hand to hand combat. so she hired an Ascended to train her in hand to hand combat.. It was going very well. this Ascended was quite famous but she didn't even register his face. Lilith gave him 500 Awakened Soul Shards for 3 months of training, both sparring and against Nightmare creatures under this Ascended's supervision
While this happened, at Night, when no camera could see her, she went to the Awakened Academy.
Unlike usual, she had to be quick here, but nobody would also be suspicious to see her here. She said she was here to visit a friend and leave flowers.. and she did. to a random person.
She opened every sleeping pod on every floor one at a time and sucked the blood of these bodies..
She made quick work, after all even a drop of blood would count as a fragment.
After a mere 6 hours she was done with 3 floors, which were those who were kept in the academy.
[you have received 467 Blood Fragments.]
She went home to sleep and train.. she would go to the other building once she woke up..
She slept for 8 hours and trained in the Dream Realm for 7 Hours…
A pace like this would leave someone exhausted.. but she was a Demon, almost a Devil. She felt incredible.
So she headed for a building nearby the Awakened Academy, it was a Special Facility, one that as a Rank 7 Citizen, She could access if given a reason.. and of course. She brought flowers!
In this building, it was normal for people to fall asleep next to those they cared for.. which meant she could stay 8 hours here and no one would look for her… and so 8 hours passed.
[You have received 449 Blood Fragments.]
[Your Soul Sea is Boiling with Power.]
[A new Blood Core is Taking Shape from the Blood Sea.]
[A new Blood Core has been Formed.]
…
Lilith went again the next day and finished the job..
[You have received 674 Blood Fragments.]
Lilith was Satisfied as she walked out of that building.. but also disappointed..
Today was the start of the 3rd month. Time was running out in her plan.. but she could still manage.. After all, the best treat for her Aspect had yet to come. The 3 Biggest Facilities that took care of Hollows.
Their soul might have been destroyed, or maybe trapped somewhere.. but Lilith took power from their Blood, not their Soul.. beside. even if their soul was destroyed, they still had it in their physical body. which means nothing would change.
And it did..
…
…