(I'm done for... the last thing I remember was me, darting between my brethren and straight to my chamber... their faces... so judgmental. They must have reported me to the Ordo Noctis by now. What will they think of me? They'll see my imperfections. A defect. They'll dismantle my body and soul! No! I can't let that happen!) A knock interrupts my thoughts. "Morsus Frigus? Are you in there?" "Who's asking?" I nervously reply. "The Ordo Noctis sent me to fetch you. They wish to speak with you." (Well... this is it... I can't change it, so I'll just have to accept my fate...) I swing the door open to find one of the guard vampires waiting. "Please, follow me." "I know where they are! I wasn't created yesterday!" "It matters not. The Ordo Noctis requested me personally to escort you, whether you come willingly or forced." "Is that a threat?" "It is, if you prefer it to be." "Fine then... I'll come willingly." "And leave your sword behind." "For what reason!?" "We wouldn't want unnecessary complications, would we?" "What is this? I've always had my blade with me! Am I suddenly a threat now!?" "These orders come directly from The Ordo Noctis. Would you disobey your gods?" "No, never... that's not what I meant..." my voice softens in reverence for my creators. "Very well. Their judgement has never faltered. If that's their desire, I'll come, willingly and unarmed." I unsheathe my blade and place it on my bed. I follow him until we reach the door to The Ordo Noctis. "You may go in. They are awaiting your presence." I sigh, slowly opening the door and stepping in. This time, I dare not meet their eyes. I fix my gaze on the ground. "Morsus Frigus..." One of them starts. "It appears you've encountered difficulties with one of your contracts..." I kneel before them, "Ordo Noctis, please forgive my... weak... weaknesses. I was ill-prepared for this task. Furthermore, I misjudged the humans. I thought..." I falter, lost for words. "Yes. We've observed your... imperfections. This is among the greatest disappointments we've faced in a long time. We believed you had the potential to become one of the greatest vampires, but unfortunately, it seems we overestimated your abilities." My fists clench from the harsh words. I feel light-headed from the stress. "We've deliberated on what to do with you and arrived at a conclusion... you will be disintegrated, and your soul will create a... 'better' version of you..." My heart sinks. (I've never felt this before. Is this what humans call 'dread'...? It's terrible... how am I even experiencing these 'feelings'? This is supposed to be impossible!) "Fear not, Morsus! Perhaps your soul will forge a greater warrior! You should feel honoured!" "Tha-... thank you... Ordo Noctis..." "You have 24 hours. Use this time well." "Thank you, Ordo Noctis." "Dismissed." With little strength, I rise and leave the room. Vampires wouldn't typically care or make such a fuss... (so why me?)
I return to my chamber, trying to figure out what to do... Nothing. My mind is blank. I stand there, a statue in my room, unsure of my next move. (24 hours, huh? Might as well end it now...) My eyes scan the room. Observing. (It's been so long since I truly took it in. Last time, perhaps, when a guard handed me the room key. What was the number again? 123, I believe. Quite a coincidence. My room appears smaller than usual... A single, small, red magical flame floats on the roof, providing dim light. Colourless grey stone walls, windows covered with metal bars... my room resembles a prison. My gaze catches my blade on the bed. The most beautiful thing here, in my opinion. The blade and handle are so black, no colour shows. As dark as a void. Our weapons, a connection to our souls. Is this what my soul resembles? I approach it, examining closely, lifting it. The blade's thin but long, sharp, durable. Capable of cutting earthly metal like steel-plated armour. I now notice the blade's lightness, barely feeling it. Some might view this as a disadvantage, but to me, it means beheading a human before they blink. It's perfect. To me, at least. My best companion in my short life. Have I lost it, considering an object my greatest friend?) I sit on my bed, contemplating what to do before my disintegration. I run my fingers over the blade. (It's not smooth, riddled with chips. I loathed its imperfections, but now I cherish this texture, reminding me of... myself... Damn it! If only I hadn't been such an idiot, succeeded in my mission, everything would be normal, and I'd continue ascending to become one of the greatest vampires! Lucius's words echo, promising 'help,' offering to 'take the blame.' Curse you, Lucuis! You deceitful liar! If only! If only...) I lay my head on the pillow, trying to calm myself. For the first time, I feel tired. A need for... 'sleep,' was it? (Yes. Sleep. Sounds... nice... very nice...) I close my eyes, fully relaxing my body and mind. Letting go. Strangely, I drift to sleep. A vision grips me. Real, yet impossible. I was in my room moments ago. Ice surrounds me, strangely feeling like I am the ice. Fire appears beside the ice. The fire and ice merge, not destroying but creating. "It's called plasma," a soft voice speaks. "One of the most destructive energy forces. Creating and destroying. A perfect balance, and I want you to wield it." The 'plasma' absorbs all, radiating immense power, exploding in a flash. I wake, a sudden surge of determination. I glance at my blade, then my hands. Likewise, I rise from my bed, facing the small mirror on the wall. Remembering who I am. Suddenly, an absurd idea strikes... (You know what? Forget them! I'll prove I'm greater than they think! They claim they've overestimated me, but I'll show them they've underestimated me!) I seize my blade, armour, and cape, heading to the portal room. I set the destination to the Holy Kingdom, where Lucuis and Ardent still reside, and leap in.