Chapter 61. Ship

Gliding down to the little jetty, the flying galleon, plated in steel, made its approach. 

Abe’s brow rose at the sight. The vehicle was more impressive than he had imagined. 

In his pocket, he thumbed his acorns. Selling them would have to wait. The dreamer army amassing was far beyond what they could deal with, and escape was the only answer.

“Not bad,” Viara said at his side. She had remained close to Abe over the last couple of days. She was serving as a lieutenant, while Kilik had taken a more direct role in managing the clan.

“It should get the job done,” Abe said. 

Hurried steps turned their attention to a ghoul racing through the wall.

“Something the matter?” Abe called out.

“Th-they’re away,” the ghoul stammered. “They know about the ship. They’re charging down into the Necropolis at this moment.”

“Great, just great,” Abe sighed. 

“There go any plans for an orderly escape,” Viara added.

“You heard him. Plans changed. Everyone aboard,” shouted Abe.

Charging toward the hole connecting the alley to the starry Vale, Abe shot his tendrils out, hooking onto the ship and catapulting himself toward it.

He glanced across the wooden fixtures as he approached the helm. The banshees had already begun to make several trips, flying back and forth, bringing whatever loot they could. 

He wanted to leave immediately but gave the zombies, ghouls, and skeletons a chance to board. They weren’t worth risking their escape over, but a short delay could be afforded. Besides, he hoped as many as possible would board. More hands were useful, after all.

“That’s enough. It's time to leave,” Abe shouted after a few minutes. A few skeletons and zombies still hesitated, standing within the alley. But he wasn’t willing to wait any longer and ordered the ship to pull away, funneling energy through the orb at its helm.

The ship groaned as it pulled away from the jetty, and Abe flooded deathly energy into it, hastening the vessel’s speed. They were still too close to Lantern, and if their pursuers caught them now, they could hitch onto the ship and board them.

Passing through the crowded airspace around Lantern, Abe pulled the vessel away—his sight split between his surroundings and a view of Astral space projected by the deathly orb.

********

“He’s denied every request we've made,” Kearn said from the doorway. “We’re prisoners.”

“Don’t look so glum, Kearn. You know it gets me down,” Miss Nia said, eyeing her corset and tightly pressed dress wrapped around an invisible body in the mirror. 

“But Mistress–”

“Be patient. We’re in no rush. Not until Katiana shows her hand. Let that old fool think he has us in his grasp for now.”

“I'm not sure it is wise to underestimate Lord Nosferatu.”

“Trust me, I don’t. You just worry too much. How many years has it been since you last visited Archeron? Only one of us is under house arrest. Go, enjoy yourself. Your mood is bothering me. Have you ever tasted the concentrated energy here? It doesn’t compare to anywhere else. It’s truly amazing.”

“I was hoping–”

“I would come?” Miss Nia turned her pouting red lips toward him. “You can be so cute sometimes, Kearn. But no. Now go run along,” she added with a wave of her hand.

“He’s not coming back,” Kearn gritted his teeth. 

A playful smile curled Miss Nia’s lips, “Oh, he is. And better than ever before. I must say, I love it when you act so jealous, Kearn,” she wagged her finger. "But it won't change anything. Not even if you get on your knees and beg."

“You’ll see,” Kearn said under his breath and turned to leave—knowing Miss Nia could hear him, no matter how quietly he spoke.

"Petty boy."

Miss Nia gently rubbed the soft of her forearm as the door closed behind him. Like a ghost, she imagined Abe’s fangs delving into her flesh. She hadn’t felt such a strong connection since she was sired. She missed him. And for the first time, she regretted sending him across the Vale to complete missions.

“What have I done, Abe?” she muttered in the mirror, the red of her lipstick moving upon an invisible face. She had only been following the rules of the dead, as shown to her by none other than the great Umbrial himself. Someone of Abe’s potential needed to go off on their own; it was the only way he would live up to his potential, just as she had over a millennia ago. It was law. And she had only been doing what she believed was right.

*******

“They’re following us,” Abe sneered.

“Are you sure?”

“100%. I can feel that energy from a world away.”

“We can slow them,” Elder Kilik said, standing beside Viara. “A few small groups of our sisters conducting hit-and-run attacks to harass their ships.”

“Viara?”

“She’s right. We might not have the strength to fight them directly, but these tactics are quite effective out here in the vastness of the Vale.”

“Fine. You have my permission. Do whatever you can. We need to get them off our trail.”

“I’ll see it done,” Kilik nodded and turned.

“She’s strong. One of yours?”

“One of mine?” Viara raised a brow.

“You mentioned a harem back on the Reaver's vessel. I was just wondering–”

“Oh, god, no. Kilik?” Viara made a gagging sound. “We’ve known each other forever, and I trust no one more. But sexually? No freaking way. Could you really imagine us together?”

“I dunno. I didn’t want to make assumptions,” Abe shrugged. “Just thought I’d ask.”

Viara’s gaze shifted to a short-haired, pixie-looking banshee girl with a chin piercing working the deck. “Now she’s my type. Absolutely stunning.”

“Yeah, she’s cute,” Abe nodded with a sideways glance. “So, you two?”

“Really, Abe? Do you think that’s what’s going through my head at a time like this? Those dreamers catch up to us, and we’re dead.”

“Doesn’t mean we don’t have desires.”

“Sometimes they’re best not thought of, lover boy,” Viara said, slapping Abe’s back. “Maybe you should think about that.”

“About what?”

“Your mistress, dumbass. You are flying across the Vale for some vampire who treats you as an expendable asset. And the worst part about it is that you still idolize her. If you were just another drooling ghoul, that’d be another thing. But you’re not. I can see it in your eyes. There’s something about you. And it’s a damn shame you reduce yourself to this,” Viara said, eyeing Abe up and down.

“You’re exaggerating. She cares more for me than you can imagine.”

“Does she? I know the bullshit undead lords tell each other. But come on. She sent you out into the Vale to sink or swim. Look, I’m not saying that isn’t an effective means to create warriors, but what happens to the ones that fail? Don’t tell me you never thought about that?”

“I ah…”
“Come on, Abe, use that brain of yours,” Viara said, tapping her forehead. “I know you got one. You haven’t thought about it, have you? Every undead lord is the same. You’re not special, and neither is your relationship with Miss Nia,” Viara said sarcastically, waving her fingers as she spoke her name.

“Viara–”

“No, I’m not finished. You deserve to know. I owe you that much. Yes, she’s treating you as a potential elite. That much is true. But elites aren’t just churned out by cosmic factories. They are made by surviving the harsh realities of the Vale. But unlike most elites, who are usually bound to their lords, you’re actually free. And yet, here you are. Behaving like she owns you. Running back to her the moment you get the chance.”

“It’s not like that,” Abe said softly. “I have no intention of remaining where I am.”

“Then you’re even more deluded.”

“Deluded, what do you mean?”

Sighing, Viara shook her head. “Abe, look, do you really think she’s just going to accept you as an equal? Why does she keep only those she has turned around her? Even if she doesn’t have a lot of coin, she’s a vampire lord. That alone is enough to persuade most of the trash hanging around the Vale into subjugation. But she doesn’t, why?”

Abe’s brow furrowed, but he remained silent. 

“It’s the blood contract that’s formed between sire and sired. It’s what turns you into this,” she said, swirling her index at Abe. “But you seem to have broken it with your unorthodox evolution you still refuse to tell me about. Yet you still idolize her and follow this silly delusion of making yourself her equal.”  

“Viara…”

“No, I’m going to talk. Look around, damn it. You’ve barely just started, and look at the pull your presence has. I can’t tell you what to do. If you’re so desperate to get back to your Mistress, then so be it. But if you want something more, then it’s yours to take. Become the lord you’re supposed to be, Abe. That’s your real potential. Not just a vassal for some vampire lord to do with as she pleases.”

“I see,” Abe muttered and nodded his head. Was she right? He wondered. Was he a fool to chase after Miss Nia? There was undeniable truth to what she said. His desire to find Miss Nia was an emotional one. The powers that had linked them were gone; there was no denying that. Between the worms and the dreamer's energy and how they had combined during his evolution, it had been broken.

What do I do now?

The reality was, even now, with everyone around him, Abe felt lost and lonely in the depths of the Vale without Miss Nia. The hope that was brought by clinging to her image had driven him forward and made this land of death and ridiculousness bearable.

If not for Miss Nia, what purpose do I have? What are my goals?

Silence filled his head. And Abe found himself unable to answer his questions. Power was an easy answer, but to what end, he wondered? Striving to become powerful enough to serve and stand beside Miss Nia was a clear goal that made sense to him. But what purpose did he have if he was free of her, set to form his own path?

He didn’t want to think about it. Abe gritted his teeth and flared his nose. His body language was clear, and Viara took a step back. 

She wasn’t sure if he would ever come around, but it was clear he had no intention to at this moment. 

Letting go wasn’t something he was ready to do. And it might never be.