As Within, So Without

His death and undeath arrived just as his Maker created more spawns for his horde. Day by day, night by night, more buns arrived to Lagosi’s manor as his plans came closer and closer to fruition. Unaware of this and newly turned, Athos was unable to leave the grounds that confined him. When daybreak came, his body slumped into a catatonic state, still as one would be in death. He, along with others who were turned, were kept separate from the spawn but still under Lagosi’s watchful, predatory gaze.
When night returned, his ravenous, incurable hunger overcame him. His overwhelming desire to feed was impossible to ignore. It was only during this time that Athos was permitted to feed on the buns brought to Lagosi’s manor, indiscriminately savoring whatever blood he could drink, before the vampire lord took them away to become spawn.
He could hear their cries for mercy, helplessly pleading for their lives until their voices were no more. It kept Athos okay for a while, clearing his senses enough to want to escape this prison. His attempts were foiled, strangely linked to his Maker, and whenever the man called, he followed. He heard a voice in his mind, ringing clear and true, compelling him to remain. So long as Lagosi had this horde of buns, Athos felt he would never leave and was fueled only by the gnawing, twisted hatred he had for his Maker. There were so many buns taken, only to be used for his illicit gains. He didn’t know what he could do to stop the other man, let alone what he could do to save himself.

Occasionally, his mind wandered to the life he had before and how he would ever return to that now. The melded words of Lagosi and his demon caretakers echoed in his mind, reminding him that he was truly a monster of a Succubun now. He cared not for acceptance or belonging but he spited anyone who continued to other him. Now that he was something and someone different, who would be okay with what he had become? He couldn’t accept it himself and he couldn’t imagine anyone else would. A tense knot bubbled in the pit of his stomach, contemplating his now monstrous existence.

It wasn’t long before Lady Calla stepped into the picture, along with some Succubuns who assisted her in stopping the vampire lord from his nefarious acts. There were whispers before the official announcement was made of what transpired, the story shifting between each bun household. Oleander returned to the Church of Sulfur, unharmed thought not worse for wear, and those who had become vampire spawns miraculously turned back, with a couple exceptions of course. Athos’ chance for freedom was returned to him and though mere weeks ago he would have taken it, he now hesitated. He had become a vampire against his will, drinking blood from victims and drinking from blood bags when buns weren’t available. Now, with Calla’s newly made court, those who were fully turned could remain so or change back with the help of the heavenly influence of Cherubun blood. Those who wished to remain had to swear fealty and to uphold the vampiric laws she established.

Among the company of other vampires, recent or not, he stared out the gilded windows of Calla’s opulent mansion. The initiation was held at midnight and one by one, buns went before her to become initiated into their insular society. Still refusing to transform into his doll form, Athos entered into the throne-like room where the vampire lord sat at the end, watching him curiously as he drew closer.

“Having second thoughts?” She hummed, easily reading the worry that wore at his masked expression.

His gaze narrowed, untrusting of any of the vampire lords since his turning. He understood this was a safety measure so that no one would be allowed to cause the harm that Lagosi inflicted, but Athos wondered had Lagosi limited his ambitions, would the other vampire lords have bothered to interfere? How long would they all had to suffer until she graciously showed up? He didn’t know how much he wanted to give away to her, knowing all too well how cunning and astute she was, given her almost immortal-like status.

Unbothered, Calla chuckled and swirled the chalice of her blood in her dainty hands, never once taking her gaze off him.

“Thinking about the life you left behind? Of people who are waiting for you? You can still return to them whether you join us or not. You know this, yet, you hesitate…” Calla continued, reading him as though he were an open book. “I see. It’s because you like what you’ve become and you’re uncertain anyone else would. You cannot deny your enjoyment of this new form and what you were always meant to be.”

“Everyone keeps fucking sayin’ that-” Athos sneered, approaching closer until he was steps away from the chair she sat in, defiance bright in his mismatched, blackened eyes. “I’m always meant to be somethin’, a monster, a freak– I don’t need to hear it from you or from anyone! I’ll decide what I’m meant to be. I won’t be a fuckin’ plaything for him, let alone for you.”

Calla sighed and placed the chalice to the table beside her, shifting her weight to the opposite armrest.

“If I wanted you, Athos, I would’ve already done so. You are still far too young and inexperienced for my tastes. I only state what is obvious, dear. Deny and postpone your truth all you want, but it will always come to the surface whether we want to or not. Become this and then prove to yourself that you are more than what we make of you. Perhaps then you’ll learn to embrace this authenticity rather than reject it.”

She reached for the chalice and held it out for Athos, a small smile curving the corners of her lips.

“After all, you still approached me, did you not? Now then, let’s not waste time. After this initiation, you are free to do as you wish. As long as you’re nothing like Lagosi, which you claim you are not, then there’s no issue.”

He hated the sense and practicality of her words. The Greed bun did not like being so easily scrutinized, compacted enough for a stranger to understand where he came from. He doubted she understood or that their origins were even remotely similar, but perhaps her time as a vampire lord has given her insight on a variety of experiences she otherwise wouldn’t have. He did not want to be chastised or pitied. What influence she was still enough to make him wary of her but he would not be so stubborn as to deny her in her own home.

Athos knelt as best he could and repeating the pledge as she uttered them. The words were like dry, bitter ash on his mouth and she placed the chalice in his hooves. He took it and drank her blood, surprised at the taste and lightness he felt moments after he done so. There was a knowing smirk on Calla’s lips before she took the chalice back, watching him for a moment before dismissing him. Athos took this opportunity to leave and then made his way back to Burrowgatory proper, taking all that the vampire lord said before finally, returning home.