Dead of Night: A Clearing In Endless Fog

Time became meaningless in this place. Hours felt like seconds as the colours of the night fluttered past in dim glances. Unmoving, lest his shambling puppet corpse follow its ringleader's command. Lord Lagosi had taken away Irvyll's everything. His will, his thoughts, and his joy. While he seemed cold and harsh before, this new form was barren of any of the ambitions or determination that once drove him. A shell, filled only with the agony of his newfound hunger. An insatiable bloodlust that made him just another disgusting leper shambling in the basement of this dank manor. 

Suddenly, Irvyll heard his first true command. Legosi made sure that all of his thralls were to hear his words. 

"Capture the Cherubun and her companions. They cannot leave here alive."

These words stirred a feeling that made what little life was left inside of him flare up. Driving his actions to hunt, although still his eyes felt hazy and uncooperative as he shuffled through the darkness of the manor. He wasn't sure when, but he'd found a scent. Sweet, like vanilla and rose. The swirling mist of the room accompanied his presence like a cloak. His prey, but an innocent lamb unaware of her surroundings. 

Dove read through the tome. Trying to decipher what these ancient texts were chronicling in such a place. Vampires would have information that dated back at least a hundred years, perhaps even further into the infancy of Burrowgatory's civilization. This thought is what caused her to miss the exit of Silver and Timothy. This thought is what caused her to turn, ready to share her findings with them. Only to meet a horrifying sight. 

Irvyll stood over her like a stone statue, his eyes glowing faintly as he bared his sharpened teeth. Dove tried to bolt past him, but some unnatural force slammed the door closed before she could make her escape. A hand gripped her wrist tightly, and she let out a terrified scream. All alone, Jackal and Silver were all but out of reach in this dire moment. Irvyll began to drag her in closer, his endless hunger now outweighing his directive to simply capture his prey. 

Before her could take the first bite of her supple flesh, a weight was pressed against his throat. Forcing him to loosen his grip on the Cherubun as he was thrown haphazardly across the room. Dove was shocked, almost relieved. But that relief was short lived as she saw just who came to her aide. 

"I did not tell you to feed, wretch. This one is all mine." Lord Legosi hissed at Irvyll's crumpled body. He turned his piercing gaze to Dove, a grin imparting his lips as he savoured the sight of the prized meat. A true rare delicacy that none have attempted before. A Cherubun, a spawn of the angels.

He moved in closer, causing Dove to scurry back towards the bookshelves and desk she was studying prior. The room became smaller and the gap between them grew closer. Dove gave another shrill shriek. "Please stop! Why are you doing all of this?!" Legosi simply laughed and shook his head. 

"I want to. I need to. You've all lived in your comfort for long enough. It's time for someone else to take control."

Irvyll watched from the cold floor, now an accessory to the background. His head was still spinning, but there was something in that pressure swelling inside of his body that made him remember who he was. His mind was coming back, if only briefly. He reached a weak hand out trying to stop what was happening right before his eyes. His inner voice screamed in agony as he felt the pain of his situation as if it were brand new. He was powerless, starving, and now recovering from damage that caused his spine to tingle in dull discomfort.

The show before him played out exactly as he'd thought it would. Even when the door swung open, Jackal's presence being a short lived promise of a saviour. He didn't even have the strength to move when her bat came inches from hitting him as Lord Legosi flung it from her hands. The next thing he knew, Jackal was docile. 

Dove cried out for her friend, watching as Legosi played with her a bit longer. Gloating and holding her lifeless body by the neck as he taunted the Cherubun into submission. Her eyes were streaming with tears. Pleading for him to let go of Jackal. He did just that, letting her go all at once. The thud as her unconscious body clambered to the ground with little care. 

Legosi had a new command. One which Irvyll took little time to recover for and obey to. "Take them to the cage." His mind still screamed to fight back, to escape and save these innocent victims. But against his will, his body dragged Jackal by her legs. Others joined, some sporting bruises and marks from the damage she'd done swinging that bat around on her tirade. The thralls around him were just as obedient as they pulled in Silver soon after. Finally, Dove was delivered last. Her face was still red and wet with tears from her endless pleas for freedom. Pleas that fell on deaf ears. When all of the intruders were finally in captivity, Legosi spoke to them all once more. 

"Come to my throne room. We must prepare for a feast." 

A soft sigh sounded from behind Irvyll as he moved to exit. He had the gumption to turn, if only to see what had made the sound. Calla shook her head, laying lazily on her folded arms. "Such a shame. They had so much promise." Her eyes snapped to meet Irvyll's, and she gave a soft smile. "So did you when you arrived here. You fought so hard. Pity." He couldn't react. His body kept on with its objective. But his mind wept. Hopelessly wanting to break free, and totally unable to react. 

So forward the thralls stalked. Preparing for the moment that their final hope is snuffed out.