Vampire Nightlife

Chapter 87 New And Old Paths (2)

?Path of the Overlord and Path of the Seducer.

These were the two archetypes that a Vampire had according to the System he was given. There was also the Archetype of Arcane. Of course, not every Vampire fitted into one mold and there might be tendencies that fit into one or the other.

One could use the Physical Manipulation that Lukas had obtained, which fell in the Overlord category due to it being physical–and have it be used in seduction and intrigue.

Chaerin had proven it perfectly when she once pretended to be him.

And for one reason or another, him managing to enter into Chaerin's dream unlocked something more within him.

[Beginner's Mind of Fortitude]

One of the more subtle powers of a Vampire lends it the ability to shield and protect itself from mind, psychic and telepathic attacks of various nature.

[Basic Dream Control]

? Creatures of the Night, Vampires have also learned how to tap into the mind of its victim and produce images, ideas that could bring terror, send messages or create suggestions

[Will of Strength]

The tenacity to continue even when the odds are against you gives a resistance to authority-type powers

[Bound Communication]

With the dagger bound through blood, the ability to communicate with Drusilla, Ancestor of the Sanguise House is possible. As connection deepens, so does the range of communication allowed.

"This is nice." Lukas murmured quietly to himself as he checked some of the things that popped out of his vision. He was clearly ignoring the voice of Rhea for a while now and it was because he didn't know if it was a good idea.

"Helloooo! I know you can hear me now!" Rhea said.

"Please stop this insistent yappering of this Dream Eater at once." Drusilla complained to him via the dagger. Her voice was vexed.

'If you can give me a minute or two. It's not like I can suddenly free a Dream Eater all of a sudden in front of everyone without facing the repercussions or explaining everything. I barely got away explaining what the dagger was.'

She didn't make a sound, but Lukas detected an archness and sharpness in Drusilla's aura.

He coughed lightly.

'Tonight. I'll set her free, then we can be rid of her or something.'

Lukas was glad that only Drusilla could hear him, the Skill he got was useful. And wasn't that something he should look into more once he got the chance?

For now?

He dealt with the present situation.

Compared to Rhea who had already helped him, the Sanguise House Ancestor was still someone who had much to lend him in terms of strength and knowledge.

It was almost a worrying thing to consider and so he had to be on her good side.

Lukas took out the crystal stone from his pocket and thought about throwing it away. A cold-hearted and cruel judgment slipped through his mind and yet it was also the same nature that made him put it back into his pocket.

Dream Eater.

She could be useful too. And soon Lukas blinked a little–not alarmed by the thoughts, but not fully sold on it either. It was a balancing act of cruelty and compassion. Of wrath and love.

"Mmmm… where are we now?" Chaerin finally 'woke' up as she stretched her arms and faked a yawn.

She intentionally missed the argument that had sprung up from all of them. And that wasn't wholly good either–but then again, it was hard to put people into boxes and labels.

"We're still in the Imago Desert, Miss Atticus. But we're about to reach the Wandering Grasslands and then we'll pass through the Veil Forest at last." Theodore politely replied.

"Huh, so you're actually giving out actual details now. Cool." Lukas raised a brow and chuckled.

"It's not really all that necessary to share it to people who haven't stepped a foot out of Lux." Theodore said. "But Miss Atticus might recognize them, especially considering her background."

"Thank you. I'm not all that familiar with the terrain." Chaerin said and then glanced at Lukas. There was the tiniest bit of hesitation in her gaze before she cleared her throat. "How long was I asleep?"

"Not too long." Lukas reassured her.

It was clear to him that the reason why Theodore was nicer to Chaerin was because of her parents… and yet unfortunately, it was a topic that Chaerin did not want at all.

But then Lukas remembered seeing a little Chaerin and there were things that he wanted to ask about. If not now. Someday. Hopefully, not too long–because it was clear to him that it was an important subject.

"If it were only possible to fall asleep for the whole duration of the sleep." Alexei sighed and leaned his head against the soft seat. "Everything's been so sudden that I didn't get the chance to actually pack entertainment for myself."

At those words, Stacy shot a look at her brother.

He didn't really have to come.

But the man insisted.

"Entertainment? Why not play some games?" Lukas offered.

If there was anything that he hadn't seen before, it was at least the games that preoccupied Vampires. They were pretty much better at anything than the average Human so it had to be interesting?

"Are we kids?" Alexei snorted but then looked interestedly at Lukas. "Want to arm wrestle?"

Stacy resisted the urge to rub her forehead. That still sounded like a game to her.

If there was anything that Alexei and Lukas both wanted at the same time–it was to gauge each other up. Lukas wanted to know what was so special about their bloodline and how it was compared to the average Vampire.

He already knew that Stacy was stronger than Chaerin, and it was at a level a bit below Lily's. But then Lukas also enhanced Lily's strength with his blood… so there was also that.

A couple of sessions later, Alexei was trying to keep a perfectly blank face and yet also shoot Lukas a dark look. It didn't seem accurate with how Lukas was framed, but the man was stronger.

If Alexei was looking for someone to partner up with his sister–then it wouldn't be just brute strength alone. However, there was something about Lukas itself that seemed to say that he was more than just physical prowess.

"What's your connection with Serena Weisse?" Alexei asked so bluntly that even Theodore winced.

"I… I just met her." Lukas shrugged, but didn't choose to elaborate.

"She seemed to have known you for quite some time." Chaerin couldn't help but murmur. She remembered seeing Serena at the 'private place' where they've been and the Weisse Overlord was not someone who traveled frequently.

Theodore glanced up at the rearview mirror and thought about that too.

"That's not necessarily true. I just happen to meet people–like how I met you, or how I met Stacy really." Lukas said and tried to brush it off. "I mean, it all just happens. The world is kind of small and big at the same time."

But it was clear that no ordinary Vampire would have been able to attract attention from Weisse, Tenebris, Vardoken and Atticus all at the same time. And that wasn't even talking about his encounter with Miss Cadis and Verdant.

A power of connection that would have impressed many.

Lukas just thought of it as normal.

If anything, it only proved to him how dangerous the actual world was–and that he needed to be stronger.

Lukas sighed deeply in such a way that even Alexei realized that he seemed to be in pressure.

And why wouldn't he be?

Alexei wasn't fully on board with the guy–but this was someone who also went out of his way to risk his life to save the Tenebris girl… while also being with the Atticus one? Alexei wanted to massage his forehead.

Honestly, maybe even question his sister's sensibilities.

And that actually made Alexei think of something. He cast a look at Theodore and wondered how the assassin guy felt about it? Now that was a question that might earn him a stab or actually open up the gates to a more civil relationship.

"So giant sandworms, poison scorpions and vicious snakes–what do we have in the wandering grasslands?" Lukas asked.

"Foxes, deer and other creatures." Theodore replied. "A variety really. Not that I linger here much during some missions."

"Well then, I guess I'm supposed to prepare myself against fire-breathing foxes and deer that want to gouge me to death then?" Lukas grinned.

"It really wouldn't make sense for a fox to breathe fire." Stacy said.

"The grasslands would burn if that were the case." Chaerin added.

"Need I explain more?" Theodore's lips twitched the slightest bit.

"Aw man, am I getting bullied by you three?" Lukas's shoulders hunched over slightly and he scowled–and that was more or less an act.

"But the thing with the deer, doesn't seem to be much of a lie, huh?" Alexei coughed.

"They're usually timid–" Theodore protested.