As expected, we covered the rest of the way to Farrowgate without interruption. Another unsigned letter did make its way to the main group—although Alma expertly intercepted the bird with one of her drones first.
A quick read confirmed from our contact that everything was going smoothly, with both humans and vampires already close to the tipping point. These messages read like brief updates on the overall situation of the enemy army to others. But for Alma and me, it practically read: everything is prepared, attack now.
“Well, this is it.”
I double-checked my supplies and faced the other two.
“I need to head off before the army catches up. You two remember how to get to the tunnel from here?”
“Yepyep! Me know this area!”
“I memorised the map before we left. I could get there blindfolded.”
I nodded at them both.
“Good… I suppose I'll see you soon then.”
We exchanged salutes and went our separate ways. There was really no further need for discussion. Either I succeeded, and we carried on as normal, or I failed, and my body would be quietly disposed of.
They continued south, deeper into the forest, while I dashed across the path and down onto the beach. I was cautious to move quickly and quietly, with my body low, and my cloak replaced with a beige spare to better blend in.
This wasn't some overly cautious waste of effort. I was already within sight of Farrowgate's walls, and would need to run across an open beach to reach my destination.
Thankfully, the guards on the walls appeared not to notice me. There was barely anyone up there to begin with, and the weary looks on their face showed the effect my little games had had on their morale already.
I reached the base of the wall without a problem. There, within the shadow of Farrowgate, a pair of crimson eyes appeared to greet me.
“You are early, were we not to begin the feast come nightfall?”
Skrake leaned into me with a look of glee.
“We don't know how long it will take to navigate the sewers. Best to get in early.”
“Yes, astutely put my dear.”
She stroked my head with a single talon, twirling my hair as though I were a precious comfort toy of hers.
I said nothing in protest. Skrake was my best asset in making everything as believable as possible, so there was no need to risk offending her.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to make some things clear.
“You remember the rules, right?”
Skrake's grin widened as she stepped back and began reciting my words from memory.
“Drain the blood of the victims. Do not engage a vampire unless forced into a corner. Do not harm the oracle. Do not harm the chicklet. Leave appropriate evidence”
At the word “appropriate”, she opened her mouth to an impossible width, her rows of sinister teeth quickly receding until only two upper fangs remained.
“Good. Here.”
I nodded and produced two water-breathing potions.
“Drink it all, and stick close to me.”
I swallowed my own, then fused with Pyressa so she wouldn't drown. Noodle would be fine, as they barely required oxygen anyway.
I kept Pyressa's physical influences to a minimal level for the time being, but the sudden formation of an inefficient mana circuit was hard to ignore.
Skrake caught me by the collar before I could fall forward. She then lowered me to the ground and harshly clamped her rough hand over my mouth to muffle the involuntary coughing.
“Shhh…”
Though she was objectively caring in her tone and actions, something about it felt predatory. I felt she had been in this position many times before, but in an entirely different context.
As Inner Forge quickly corrected the faulty circuitry and shifted the dirty mana around, I tapped on Skrake’s feathered arm to show I was okay.
But she didn't let go. She leaned in while she had me in her grasp and whispered.
“Your pulse is too steady. Let the thrill consume you. Let your blood boil. Let everything loose. Tonight, we are apex predators. And in that town is the most unwitting of prey.”
I felt her body quivering in anticipation, and her grip tightened as her embrace threatened to tear me to pieces.
And then she released me, returned to her usual composed, yet eerie state.
“Shall we depart? I am not a fan of water, so do try to swim your hardest.”
I said nothing in response to her behaviour. I knew working with a strigae would be dangerous after all. I simply waded into the water and silently vanished beneath the soft waves.
***
[Guy's POV]
Although I had resolved to meet the oracle, I didn't think it would come so soon. Or so conveniently.
“I did not expect to find myself in such an expensive building when my lord drove me here.”
The veiled girl spoke.
Judging by her voice and height, she could have been in her teens or early twenties, no older. Her whole body was covered in pure white cloth, making it impossible to glean anything further about her identity. Even her scent was masked with floral perfume.
“S-sorry if it makes you uncomfortable.”
I awkwardly responded as I sat opposite her in the waiting room of the mayor’s estate, originally meant to host visitors while they awaited an audience.
“You apologise? Whatever for? It was not you who called me here.”
She cocked her head. I may not have seen her expression, but I could hear the smile in her words.
“Admittedly, I would prefer to remain in the commons, where my lord's words can do the most good.”
The oracle reached for a cup of tea that I had prepared for her.
“But I suppose when the masses themselves are so vocal about it, I truly have no choice in the matter. If they insist I remain in the safety of the noble mayor’s residence, who am I to argue?”
“Haha…”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
I felt so out of place. I expected an oracle to be much more mysterious and much less chatty. But this woman seemed fairly normal.
“Reverend Kenneth told me much of you, but I would prefer to form my own opinion. So, Guy, what is it that troubles you?”
“Oh, we're just getting straight into it, huh?”
“Why wait? We have ample time for pleasantries later, but who knows when we may be interrupted? Surely it would be best to cut to the chase while we are alone.”
I looked around the room. It was definitely empty, and I had already received permission to speak to her alone. Still, at the mention of Kenneth, I couldn't help but be suspicious.
He was the one who brought her into the noble district. He and a couple of dozen angry followers. They demanded the right to set up their tents and patrol the district themselves, while ensuring the protection of the oracle.
It was complete hypocrisy. They wanted their oracle to be in the safest place possible, but still claimed we were a threat and risked a physical confrontation by barging in. So which was it? Were we bloodthirsty animals, or their greatest defenders?
Kenneth Faelora may lack a lot, but luck was something he had in spades. Had the mayor or any of the nobles we were guarding ordered him to be cleared out, all five blood knights would have descended on them without mercy.
But here we were. Despite our differences, the oracle was liked by all sides, and her protection only made sense. And so a compromise was reached.
She would reside with Kenneth's group, but her services would be accessible to our camp as well, without interference from Kenneth's mob.
“You seem deep in thought. Did you perhaps not prepare your questions before calling for me?”
“No! Sorry, I was just—”
I sighed to calm myself.
“I was just thinking how messed up everything is…”
“Hm… It is rather bleak, isn't it?”
She put the cup down. Evidently, she had drained it in the small time I was spacing out. It was kind of annoying that I didn't get a glimpse under the veil.
“Bleak, huh? Is that how the future looks to you?”
“It is up to interpretation.”
She spoke calmly.
“The future is a tangled web of mystery. I can only glimpse into specific futures, and they are subject to change based on the present.”
“That's fine, my hopes aren't too high to begin with.”
“A lady could take offence to such words, you know?”
Before I could apologise, she cut me off.
“Haha, pay me no mind. Please, go ahead. Which future shall I peer upon first?”
My heartbeat quickened. Was it eagerness, or fear? I wasn't sure, but it was too late to back down.
“Will I survive this war?”
“Yes.”
Her answer was immediate.
“Wh—yes? Really? Don't you need to commune with your god or whatever first? Chant some ancient incantation? Throw fish bones in the air?”
“Hahaha, how imaginative you are. Yes, there is a process, but I anticipated this question already. Everybody who has come to me asks the same. And so, I checked before coming here. Guy Vespertille will not die as a result of this war.”
As she stated the result, a small amount of tension left my shoulders.
“You still seem unnerved.”
She commented.
“Yes, well… That could still mean everybody else dies.”
“Before you ask, I cannot tell you about the fates of a large number of people. The threads of destiny will become strained, and your knowledge may doom countless into an avoidable death.”
I nodded and carefully reconsidered my next question.
“Alright… when will the next attack come?”
“Be cautious with your words. The fates can be vague.”
She warned me. But I saw no problem with the phrasing, so I nodded for her to continue.
The room suddenly darkened, and the wood within the walls groaned as though a great pressure were bearing down on them. The windows suddenly turned pitch black, blocking the sun's rays from entering the room.
The oracle tilted her head back, and I caught the smallest of glimpses at her mouth as she muttered inaudibly.
Then, she violently jolted back into her previous position and spoke as if in a trance.
“An attack will come tonight. Many will die. Man the walls, lest you face despair.”
The light returned to the room, and the oracle's voice returned to normal.
“Is your question answered?”
I didn't respond. I was too shocked. An imminent attack wasn't hard to swallow, but this sounded more serious. It sounded like the empire would be doing far worse than simply harassing the men on the walls or disrupting our sleep.
“Do they breach the gates? Will they enter the city? How many?”
I panicked, and a barrage of questions began pouring from me before I could control myself.
The oracle waited patiently for me to pause for breath, then responded calmly.
“These questions are all tied to the parent question. I cannot peer back into that same future so soon. I am sorry, these questions cannot be answered. What is your next query?”
At some point, without realising it, I had leapt to my feet, but upon hearing her words, I slowly slumped back into my chair.
“Damnit…”
There was so much more I wanted to know, but anything related to the attack was off limits. Was it even worth pursuing anything else now?
“...Can you look into the future of someone else? Even if you haven't met them?”
“It is possible. I will need a name, however.”
“Rex Jaeger. Can you tell me his future?”
“Pfft.”
A strange noise, almost like laughter, came from her.
“Sorry, just clearing my throat. Let us see.”
The same process followed, and she once again spoke in a trance.
“He sits in a field of green. A cat frolicks nearby. A beautiful blue specimen receives his full attention.”
I waited for more, but the room returned to normal without another word.
“Wait, that's it?”
“The vision repeated many times. I guess this person spends most of their future doing the same thing. Nothing of note came up.”
“But… how many years ahead was that?”
“The exact times and dates are unclear even to me. But, typically, eventful happenings take priority with these things. I would suggest nothing more important happens to him in the immediate future.”
“That can't be right… What's this blue thing you mentioned?”
“A woman. Very pretty. Maybe she was pale white instead of blue, it's vague.”
The oracle shrugged.
“Ugh, what a waste. Alright, fine, what about Oli—”
“Your Holiness!”
A group of men led by none other than Kenneth Faelora suddenly stormed in.
“We have come to collect you. The agreed-upon duration of this meeting has expired.”
He glared at me with visible disgust. I felt my blood boil, and involuntarily bared my fangs.
“Try it. Show her holiness the worth of your kind.”
He showed no fear, instead stepping closer and motioning for his men to stand back.
“Go on, beast. I will gladly give my life to prove the depths of malice that reside within the unholy menace.”
Riiip!
The armrest of my chair was torn apart as I clenched my fist.
“Please, do not fight among yourselves.”
The oracle stood quietly.
“It has been my pleasure to assist you, young Vespertille. May I suggest that other matters should take priority at this moment?”
It took a second for her words to register.
“Ah, the attack…”
I stood up, rage replaced with desperation.
“Attack? What does he speak of?”
Kenneth turned to the oracle, who responded calmly.
“I have seen a future. One that echoes over many possibilities. As certain as these visions come. Farrowgate will suffer its worst attack to date, and it will come tonight.”
Kenneth similarly threw away his hatred as the gravity of the situation became clear.
Perhaps it was due to the two of us arriving together, but even after barging into the middle of a meeting between the mayor and Sir Radu, nobody doubted our words.
Our forces immediately moved to prepare for an attack, despite the lack of any physical enemy presence.
***
[Rex’s POV]
The passage was easier to find than expected. Though, after thinking on it, I realised there wasn't much reason to skilfully conceal the entrance. Why would anyone be swimming around in the murky water, and why would they think to themselves, “That looks like an inviting pipe for me to swim inside.”?
The real pain came afterwards. The sewer system we emerged into was not just unused, it was practically collapsed.
The ceiling had fallen in numerous areas, blocking off pathways, the iron-barred doors were rusted to the point that it was easier to break them than open them, and rats the size of alligators were running rampant.
I considered taking one with me, but thought better of it.
Okay, that's a lie. I did try, but Noodle kept lashing out and draining their blood before I could so much as touch their fur.
This resulted in a tug-of-war, in which I had to yank Noodle back to prevent needless deaths among the giant rat population.
“Yes, do not consume such pitiful prey. Save your stomach for the main course.”
Skrake approved of my actions, though it seemed to be for strange reasons.
Unfortunately, the directions I received from the captured criminal weren't exactly helpful. It was impossible to tell whether my questioning wasn't thorough enough or whether the deterioration of the place had altered the terrain too much since his last visit.
“This way.”
Thankfully, Skrake was present to assist.
Click.
“We turn left here.”
Click.
“Climb here.”
Click.
“Hmm. All paths blocked. Let's break this wall.”
Each time she clicked her tongue, she began moving with purpose, as though the entire sewer system was mapped out in her mind.
And indeed it was. I was still fused with Pyressa, so I, too, was benefiting from her echolocation method. But I could tell Skrake’s was far superior. I hadn't trained in this particular method of sensory experience, so it was more disorienting than anything.
And so I placed myself in her confident hands, and before long, the terrain shifted from dismal to just plain disgusting.
“Many routes to take here.”
Skrake turned back to me and shrugged.
“It's alright, I can handle it from here.”
Finally, with everything intact, I could follow the memorised directions, and before long, we found ourselves at the foot of a ladder that led right into the storage shed.
But my internal clock told me it had been only two hours at most since we left the beach. There was still a considerable wait ahead of us before it was time to strike.
With that in mind, I decided to kill time experimenting a little with Inner Forge. The first thing I did was alter the efficiency of my hearing. After all, I didn’t want to jump the gun and cause a commotion before Draven had begun the frontal attack.
I couldn’t help but wonder how Axel would perform. While I skulked in the shadows and would be recognised only by Alma, he would shine beneath the sun for all to see. By the end of this, which of us would accomplish the most?
Despite my attempts to remain neutral, I couldn’t suppress the competitive spirit that began to bubble within me. The hours passed at an excruciating pace until finally, the distant sounds of battle reached my ear.
“Get ready.”
I called to Skrake, and the two of us prepared stain our souls red.
