Written by Ronak Shah

on March 09, 2019

Elven Star - The Unbleeding

Everyone on the council took turns to thank Vlad for being gracious to let them sit. They went on to explain why they had gathered today and what were the most pressing matters at hand. Vlad seemed uninterested in the process and let it take its course. When finally it was Kristopher’s turn, he was snoring happily with a line of saliva dripping down his cheek. He started when Lord Beckman nudged his elbows in Kristopher’s ribs. “What?”

“It’s your turn.” Beckman said feeling embarrassed in his presence.

“Thank you, Vlad for having me on the council.” Kristopher bowed low in subservience. Vlad nodded to allowed him to get seated.

“Now that we are all done with the established processes, I’ll let you know why I’ve called for this unforeseen, urgent council.” Dracule rose from his Black Throne and walked towards the center of the room. All eyes were fixed on his lean figure. He was dressed in pristine black robe lined with blood red borders. Golden threads gave the simple black robe a royal look. Vlad looked at each and everyone in the eye to create a dramatic effect.

“We’ve finally achieved peace with our cousins, Humans. We brought our hands of friendship forward and they took it quickly. We’ve shared our technologies with them and they’ve agreed to supply us with enough blood to feed each and every Vampire.

“We’ve pulled the Humans of Dark Age out and brought them to light. The balance of our world has been restored. But…” Vlad paused, “A threat lurks in shadows, scheming. The Enemy has finally showed its hands.”

The Vlad turned on his heels and a hologram of a weird creature popped up from the floor. It had scarred tissues and rotten gums. Its eyes were sunken so deep in the eye socket that it disappeared. Pus oozed out of the scars that run throughout the creature’s skin as it moved with a slow, melancholic movements. The lips were curled in an everlasting grimace. “This creature—is a zombie.” Vlad paused to let the word sink in, “A bloodless creature with only one need and desire—procreate.”

“Can anyone tell how it multiplies?” Vlad looked around. “Much like us—by sucking the blood of a living creature. Only, when it is done the creature turns into a bloodless zombie.”

“Can you tell me the repercussions of its existence?”

“We run out of food.” A man sitting at the far end of the council said and Vlad nodded. Vlad waved his hands mid air and the hologram changed. A picture of the world popped up and danced mid-air. A certain area close to the equator was marked in burning yellow and the rest glowed in soft blue holographic light.

“The zombies appeared first near the south far from us but within days it has spread towards the north at an alarming rate. The Human minister contacted me and asked for our help. We have to stop this, else we’ll perish. Our entire history will be void.”

Noisily Kristopher pulled out his flask and sipped. Everyone in the council looked at him with contemptuous eyes, He shrugged at them, “Do you think they are responsible?” he asked.

“The Werewolves?” Vlad confirmed. “It is a possibility. Only they have advanced superior biotechnology. In the past they’ve created genetic mutations.”

“They are still cribbing over all the lands we conquered.” Kristopher smirked and sipped from the flask. He turned to look at Isabella sitting to the left of the throne. Put that away. Her eyes warned. Nervously Kristopher tucked the flask away and let out a suppressed burp.

“The Wolves have been behind a lot of incidents in the past. They’ve tried to kill us, destroy us, outwit us at every turn. We’ve always had the upper hand. If, this is infact their defiance, their unholy creation, we bring them war.” Vlad’s eyes were filled with cold, burning anger.

“How do we control this?” A thick woman with, thinning brown hair and protruding canines asked, “How do we confine the Zombies from spreading? Do we know how to kill one? Last time these Wolves created an unholy being, we had to invent Sodium Laser to blind their eyes and burn their brains through it.”

“This is why I’ve called this council, Lady Tilde.” Vlad answered calmly, “I assign Kristopher to this mission.” The council launched itself into a massive uproar.