Chapter Text
Impulse tightened his grip on his crossbow, keeping the collar of his coat raised. He watched around the corner, waiting. He saw movement, saw his chance and sprang from cover, angling the crossbow in a fluid motion and fired…. He hit shadows but nothing solid, then suddenly, it had him.
How had it gotten behind him?
He didn’t know but he tried to spin, tried to draw the heavy stake belted at his side but the monster grabbed his arm and suddenly he was pinned to the wall. Red, glowing eyes threatened to pierce right through him. Impulse released the crossbow, grabbing for a closer range weapon with his other hand instead but the vampire tightened its grip on his shoulder, causing a shock of pain through that arm.
“Don’t even consider it, pretty boy.” The vampire said in a deep, threatening tone.
“If you’re going to kill me hurry up and do it before I kill you first.” Impulse snarled, hoping for a quick death at least.
“Oh, what you don’t want to play? How disappointing, I really like your voice… I’d love to hear it scream.” The vampire said, his tone low and seductive.
“Do your worst, you’ll get nothing but disappointment.” Impulse snarled back but the vampire had a contemplative look on his face… his… unfairly attractive face. There was something in those features, something in the way the vampire was looking him over, it wasn’t the same as others.
“How about this… I’ll give you a challenge, handsome boy. I won’t kill you if you play along.” The vampire said thoughtfully, watching Impulse’s eyes carefully.
“What’s the challenge?” Impulse growled, tense, not liking the Vampire’s sureness.
“A simple fight. No sharp weapons. If you can pin me down I’ll concede and give you my name. You aren’t allowed to use it to kill me… but I’ll do anything else you want. If I can kiss you, I win and you become my thrall. Deal?” The vampire asked, his tone was heightened as if this was the best idea he’d ever heard of.
“Why? Why this?” Impulse demanded, he couldn’t quite sort how he felt about this but he wasn’t as opposed as he felt he probably should be.
“Simple… you’re the first living soul to stir my heart in thrice an age. I can already tell…. You’re an interesting one. ” The Vampire explained, that seductive tone in his voice again.
“F-fine.” Impulse stammered, not sure if he should be unnerved or… whatever this other feeling might be. The Vampire smirked and Impulse felt a yank at his belt; before he could protest his weapons belt was flung up to hang on the chandelier. The vampire jumped back, the sound of his cloak fluttering against the motion was all that left Impulse in his wake. That sound and such a strange feeling…
“I am ready if you are.” The vampire called and Impulse swallowed, nervous. He wasn’t sure he was ready for whatever he’d just gotten himself into.
“Bring it on!” Impulse shouted and started moving fast, he knew he had to be quick, he had to be careful, he had to bring this vampire to the ground and fast. The vampire rushed him and Impulse saw his chance, letting the vampire get close before sidestepping, grabbing its shirt and twisting hard. As expected, the vampire stumbled in surprise, however it recovered quickly, taking hold of Impulse’s arm and wrenching him close. Impulse wrapped his other arm around his face fast, blocking the kiss before twisting himself free. He really didn’t understand why this vampire wanted to kiss him… but more than that… He didn’t understand why he wanted it to.
Impulse darted away, slipping around one of the pillars in the room, he could hear the vampire hot on his heels. That though, Impulse could use to his advantage, stopping abruptly and kicking a leg out behind him he actually managed to trip the vampire. Impulse jumped, tackling the Vampire, it was a risky move but this was the rules after all. He caught the vampire’s wrists and pinned him to the floor, sitting on him.
The vampire looked back up at Impulse with an impressed, wild, thrilled expression and Impulse was more than a little frightened at the feelings that stirred or to find out exactly what those feelings meant. Impulse didn’t even realize he was breathing heavily until the vampire smirked at him.
“I… I win. Now tell me your name, fiend.” Impulse demanded, keeping his tone as strong as he could in the face of whatever was stirring in his chest. He tried to convince himself the rapid beat of his heart was from the chase… but he could normally handle much more of a run. The vampire ripped it’s wrist free suddenly, grabbing Impulse by the lapels of his jacket and pulling him down close.
“My name is Tango, Master. I am yours to command.” The Vampire- Tango, said in a very soft voice, whispered right into Impulse’s ear before the vampire leaned in just that little bit closer. Tango brushed his lips and ever so gently, his teeth down from the base Impulse’s jaw to his shoulder. Its breath was cold and Impulse swore to himself that’s why he shivered.
“All I must do is call your name and you shall arrive to do my bidding?” Impulse asked, keeping his voice stern, the Vampire practically seemed to melt, as if he liked that.
“Of course, anything you desire, be it make your enemies cower in fear or chase the loneliness from your bed.” Tango assured him, releasing the lapels of Impulse’s jacket to caress his face. A chill ran down Impulse’s spine but for the life of him, he couldn’t bring himself to dislike it.
“Impulse! Are you in here?” False’s voice called, nearing the door to the chamber they were in.
“Get out of here, Tango. Now.” Impulse said in a low, harsh tone, starting to let the vampire up however Tango dissipated into a mist. The eerie mist drifted up towards the ceiling. Impulse’s weapons belt fell from the chandelier before the mist vanished through cracks in the ceiling. Quickly Impulse retrieved his weapons belt and settled it back into place.
“Impulse?!” False cried as she passed through the doors.
“I’m here False, I’m okay…” He said, looking to his fellow hunter.
“I think we’ve cleared everything in this place then,” False said, standing beside him and looking around. “There was no Vampire Lord in this castle anywhere else, did you find one in here?”
“Yes… I dealt with it.” Impulse assured her and she didn’t question him. He was glad for that, he didn’t want to have to explain why he’d let a Vampire Lord go free. He wasn’t even sure himself really.
“Good, let’s get out of here, I think we’re all exhausted,” False said with a sigh, turning back for the door and Impulse followed, anxious to get away from this place as if that alone would shake the strange feeling the Vampire named Tango had left churning in his chest like a storm at sea.
As they headed down the hall False’s cat fell into step with them, the massive, overly fluffy feline was the size of a toddler and could sniff out monsters of any kind without much effort. Impulse didn’t know how she’d managed to acquire such a creature but it was fairly accepted as essential for hunts now. Impulse sometimes found himself unnerved by how much intelligence it’s maroon eyes seemed to hold.
It was still dark outside as they exited the castle, stepping into its bailey now littered with corpses of lesser undead. Iskall and Grian stood at the center of the carnage. Both councilmen looked like they’d had a rough fight, leaning on each other while breathing heavily.
“Let’s get out of here before anything else crawls out of the ground,” False said as she approached and the two nodded, not arguing with the only one who still seemed sharp-witted. Together they trudged back out the gate and into the woods, leaving Tango’s looming castle empty and silent. As they went Impulse could feel eyes on his back, he glanced into the darkness but saw nothing. He felt it though, that stirring in his chest, Tango was close by .
It felt all too long before they finally passed through the gates of Hermitville, the villagers who were up and about at this ungodly hour cheered at the safe return of their champions. Impulse had a prickly feeling of guilt crawling on his skin as he looked at the weaker people who relied on him and the other hunters to keep them safe. Impulse tried to push the thought from his mind, tried not to think of the level of betrayal they would all feel if they knew. If they knew what he’d done, what he’d allowed to live… then again, it almost seemed the reverse. If that vampire had wanted a meal and nothing more Impulse would have been a shriveled corpse left on the floor for False to find.
Finally, they reached the large, fortified building that was their headquarters and Impulse finally felt safe once through the doors. The feeling of being watched falling away as he stepped through the door. Though he found himself irritated at missing that feeling. He shook that aside and followed the others to the armory to unsuit and get cleaned up. He could smell the hearty scent of stew lingering through the halls and it reminded him how hungry he was. All he wanted to do was eat and then sleep for ages, his nerves were frayed after that very… very strange interaction with the vampire. He remembered it’s cold breath, it’s teeth gently gliding across his neck and he shivered again.
“You alright, Impulse?” Iskall asked as he hung his armor on its stand.
“Yeah… these long hunts are getting under my skin a little, that’s all.” Impulse offered.
“You did dispatch a Vampire Lord on your own, you should just take tomorrow to rest. I think the rest of the council would agree.” Iskall offered, glancing to Grian who nodded tiredly.
“Thanks, guys…” Impulse sighed, hanging his crossbow on its hook and walking back across the headquarters to the dining hall. He dropped onto a bench, his mind swirling as he tried to process what he was feeling, what this could possibly mean. He didn’t want to accept some of the possibilities that came to mind. Of the things, he’d heard others equate to similar descriptions of what he now felt.
He didn’t want to accept that, he couldn’t, it was wrong … but it felt so right . He didn’t want it to be real, Impulse found himself hoping he’d wake to find this strange night had all been a dream. He wanted badly for Tango not to be real, to be a figment of his tired, lonely mind.
Impulse was torn from his thoughts by a clatter beside him. He looked up to see Wels, sitting there with a very far off look in his eyes, his face splattered with blood. His armor.. Coated in blood as well but it didn’t appear to be alright.
“W-Wels, are you alright?” He asked softly, concerned.
“They… they took him… he’s… he’s dead.” Wels said, sounding to be in a state of shock.
“Who?” Impulse was almost afraid to ask, the pain in his friend’s eyes was so strong…
“Python… He’s… he’s dead. He… He died in my arms he’s… he’s….” His voice faded off, falling quiet. Impulse rested a hand on his arm, overwhelmed with sadness alongside Wels but… he couldn’t begin to imagine what the other must feel… losing his lover. They sat together in silence for a while, Impulse not having any words of comfort for his heartbroken friend, for the pain he felt was something that words alone could not chase away.
“You removed his head, right?” The voice was stoic, calm, not quite as sensitive as it should have been. Impulse found himself shooting Xisuma a glare for not watching his words a little more carefully.
“Of course…” The heartbroken hunter said weakly and Impulse could hear the pain in his voice.
“Good… necessary, I’m sorry for your loss, Wels.” Xisuma said, resting his hand on the stalwart knight’s shoulder.
“He’s gone…” Wels muttered.
“Wels… Here, I’ll help you get settled.” Xisuma said, taking Wels by the arm and pulling him to his feet, off towards the armory. Impulse felt so unsettled he wasn’t sure what to make of the exchange. He normally trusted Xisuma… but that had seemed so heartless… perhaps he hadn’t meant it to be.
Impulse’s nerves were too on edge after Tango as it was, so he tried to just let it go. More than anything, he felt the loss of a friend weighing him heavily. Impulse barely tasted the food he ate before trudging off to bed. His heart was heavy, heavier still when he passed Wels’ room and heard the deep, mournful sobs within. His room was much further down though, he couldn’t hear the knights anguish once the door was closed. Impulse laid back on his bed without even kicking off his boots, exhaustion overtaking him.
--
There was a deep rumbling, one that rattled through his chest as he drew his way back to the waking world. Impulse opened his eyes, slowly taking in his own room. It was mostly how he’d left it but he saw his coat hung in its place, his boots on the floor under it. He was wrapped snuggly in his blankets and there was a cat, an unfamiliar yet… familiar cat curled up on his chest, purring. Impulse found himself a little confused, he didn’t have a cat… how did he get tucked into bed? Gently he reached up and stroked the blonde fur, the short-haired cat stretched and he realized it was a very long, lanky cat. All sleek grace and…. It had red eyes.
“Tango…?” Impulse asked his own voice heavy with sleep and confusion. Those sharp red eyes settled on him and he swore he could see a smile glittering within.
‘Yes, master?’ The vampire’s voice echoed in his mind. Impulse tensed, unsure how to feel about the vampire sending its thoughts into his mind.
“H-how did you get in here?” Impulse demanded, yet he couldn’t manage quite as harsh a tone as he felt he should.
‘A friend let me inside. She’s very considerate.’ He answered, seeming like he had no intention of saying who that ‘she’ was.
“I see… well, that’s not troubling at all.” Impulse muttered, resting a hand on Tangcat as he sat up so as not to send him tumbling. He looked at the strange, magical creature laying in the crook of his arm with uncertainty.
‘What is it master, am I not a cute enough companion for you? ’ Tango’s question held a deep level of pout as it rang around in Impulse’s head.
“There is a vampire lord who’s now a cat and has apparently decided to… I don’t know what you’re doing and.. You’re… worried about being… cute?” Impulse asked, trying to wrap his mind around what was happening. Vampire Lords were some of the most powerful monsters in existence and here this one was… playing housecat.
‘You get bored easily when you’ve lived as long as I have’ Tango pointed out, his tone nothing but warm.
“That’s… why you like me?” Impulse asked, still not sure what made him stand out specifically.
‘You have the voice of a man I want to hear scream…’ The tone the vampire used sent a chill up Impulse’s spine, again though, it wasn’t of fear but… something else.
“I really would rather you stop saying that.” Impulse muttered uncomfortably.
‘As you wish, Master.’ Tango drew out the last word so much Impulse wasn’t sure if he was teasing or being snarky. He decided it really didn’t matter, he was fairly sure he wasn’t going to be making much sense of anything the Vampire had to say. With a shake of his head Impulse set Tangcat down, moving on to the start of his day without another word.
From him at least… Impulse fell silent but he wasn’t left to his own thoughts. Not with the cat-sized vampire lord taking note of every little thing.
‘Is it really necessary to wear that many layers?’
‘These halls are a bit bright, wouldn’t you say?’
‘Master, have you ever considered other lines of work? I think you’d enjoy Redstone development.’
‘It’s hilarious how misinformed your order is about my kind. You don’t know the half of our magic.’
‘Do you all always take meals together? That seems a bit scandalous.’
‘I don’t really remember what food was like. Is it good? It doesn’t smell good. You do though. ’
Impulse did everything in his power to ignore the Vampire, focusing on his breakfast, though the bleak mood wasn’t much better. It was heavy among the hunters and he didn’t see Wels present, neither was the council. Impulse’s heart was heavy as he thought that over, even with Tango’s continuing chatter going through his mind. He looked across the table, at the hunters who were present. TinFoilChef looked about normal in all honesty, he’d seen much in his years defending those who could not defend themselves, though. At times Impulse wondered if he’d live long enough to hold that level of stoic silence. False looked withdrawn, preoccupied even. Pixl wasn’t eating, he looked too deeply upset, not unlike Zedaph beside him who looked sick with worry. Ren was sitting beside Impulse, he was equally quiet and gloomy… that just left too many empty seats at the table.
Too many empty seats and Impulse realized after a moment… it was quiet, too, Tango had stopped talking for some reason. Somehow that was more worrying than his constant chatter. Subtly he glanced around, Tangcat wasn’t at his feet anymore, he didn’t see him anywhere in the room, he only saw Monster, laying on a shelf near the mantle, the massive cat’s tail flicking and Impulse’s suspicions about it mounting. For now, he left that one be, more focused on figuring out where his own Vampire Lord issue had wandered off to.
Silently Impulse picked up his mostly empty plate and left the dining hall, he kept an eye out for Tangcat, worried he’d get into some sort of trouble. He didn’t find him on the way to the kitchen and leaving the dishes behind he checked further on, wandering the halls. Without hearing from the Council yet and not knowing where Tangcat had gone Impulse headed for the kennels to start taking care of the hunting hounds. His, specifically, but he supposed he’d look after Python and Wels’ dogs as well… lest they get neglected. He looked to the needs of the dogs that weren’t his first, just the fact he was caring for them and not their actual masters set all of the dogs on edge. He could see it, they knew something was wrong.
With a sigh Impulse moved on to his own beasts, the three wolves were allowed out of their kennel and their bowls filled. He brushed them while they ate, trying to set his mind at ease but between Tangcat wandering off; not to mention the rest of the implications of the Vampire Lord… losing a hunter was never easy.
‘Now that’s a rank smell. I regret this form.’ The sudden voice in his mind made Impulse jump, glancing around he didn’t see Tangcat. Huffing a sigh he went back to tending the dogs until one, then all three growled.
‘Oh dear, your pets don’t seem to like me.’ Tangcat said, sauntering in, not looking the least bit worried.
“You better be careful…” Impulse cautioned, careful not to say too much in case anyone else overheard.
‘I don’t fear mongrels.’ Tangcat said with distaste, creeping up closer on the tamed wolves. They raised their heads to growl at the vampire and Impulse tensed, not exactly sure how to handle this sort of situation. Tangcat let out a fiendish hiss and the hounds snarled until Impulse snapped at them with the command to stand down. He reached down and grabbed Tangcat by the scruff, hoisting him up to his shoulder.
“Leave the dogs alone.” He grumbled, irritated.
‘As you wish, Master.’ Tangcat replied, rubbing on the side of Impulse’s head.
“I really don’t understand you.” Impulse muttered, petting his hunting hounds to calm them, they were uneasy but they went back to their meal. Soon enough they were finished and he sent them back into their kennels just as a call rang out through the headquarters for everyone to come to attendance. Ignoring the vampirecat on his shoulder as it’s chatter echoed around his own thoughts, Impulse headed for the main hall. Glancing around it seemed everyone else had heard as well, at least, everyone still alive. The council of five stood before the ever-dwindling hunters, all seeming grave and serious. Impulse didn’t pay too close of attention as they spoke, he’d heard the same speech so many times now… the names changed but the sentiment was the same.
Looking to the other heavy hearts in the room he noticed Pixl still looked a mess, nothing but guilt in his expression when he looked to the hollow and broken Wels. Impulse heard the council carry on that they still didn’t know if their missing members were alive or not… but it was time to mount a proper assault. That drew Impulse’s attention.
“... enough of trying to sneak and outsmart the Zombie Queen. It’s time for a full assault. It’s time to take our full force to the swamp and mow them down like the weeds they are. We’ve lost more than enough to their ranks while trying to deal with the vampires. Prepare yourselves, we march tomorrow.” Cub stated, there were nods all around, from all but Wels who seemed in no shape to even be there.
“Dismissed.” Mumbo stated and the council turned away, speaking to each other as they made their way back to the library.
“Listen, I just… I wanted to apologize.” Pixl’s voice caught Impulse’s attention and he glanced back over, seeing him stand before Wels. The battered Knight glanced up at the other hunter. “I’m sorry… If I hadn’t lost track of the mission… If I hadn’t started searching for Zloy again this wouldn’t have happened… He’d still be alive and I.. I’m sorry.”
“Stop.” Wels said and put a hand on Pixl’s shoulder and shook his head.
“But…”
“No… There’s nothing wrong with holding out hope, at least you have that hope. I would have done the same in your place… now just let it go.” Wels stated firmly, though he sounded so tired it was painful. With that, the battered hunter turned away, leaving Pixl looking equal parts worried and conflicted.
‘Do you ever get neck aches from how tense everyone is here?’ Tangcat’s voice cut into Impulse’s mind and with a soft sigh Impulse just turned and left the room. He had a battle to prepare for, so he just endured the insufferable, one-sided conversation as he did so.
--
Thunder rolled outside, rain hammered on the roof, but throughout the halls was a sort of morose silence. All the hunters were set doing their part to get ready for the battle to come. Impulse was doing a full check of his weapons and gear, Tangcat thankfully having dozed off a while ago, leaving Impulse with his own thoughts. It was quiet in the locker room for quite some time, so when the door opened Impulse glanced up. What he saw sent a small chill of trepidation through him.
Wels entered the room at a slow pace, the look he wore on his features was that of a man walking into a fight he knew he wouldn’t win. It was a haunting sight, one that spoke doom to any who would stand between the warrior and his enemy.
“Wels?” Impulse asked softly, watching his friend cross to the end of the room, opening the case at the back that held the heavy armor that the Knight had put down when going into full service of vampire hunting. Of course, they weren’t hunting vampires tomorrow. They’d be hunting zombies. Wels didn’t respond to Impulse, like he hadn’t even heard him.
‘He has that look about him… the look of a man cornered with nothing to lose.’ Tangcat noted, even though his voice was in Impulse’s head alone, the vampire lord’s voice was quiet, heavy with respect. It was a stark difference to everything he’d seen and heard from the Vampire Lord before. Slowly the unnatural cat turned it’s gaze on Impulse instead, meeting his own. ‘Those like him are the most dangerous, the most deadly… but the most easily lost. If he does not find something else to fill his heart with there will be another empty seat at your order’s table.’
Impulse wanted desperately to question Tangcat as to why he seemed to care but… with Wels right there he realized he best be quiet. So instead he only nodded and went back to his own gear care, he couldn’t do much for Wels at the moment, he didn’t even know where to start… He’d never been madly in love, he couldn’t even guess what it felt like… surely not the storm that Tango stirred in his chest.
He didn’t have long to contemplate that matter before the door opened again, since Impulse wasn’t focused on his work he glanced up, greeted by the owner of a certain mop of blonde hair, of soft eyes hardened by too much battle. Zedaph was a sweet souled person who had come to the order with hopes of being able to do good… but Impulse could see the massive amounts of death they saw was taking a toll on him. There was more though, Impulse noted, looking at the expression on the other hunter’s face, looking at the worry in his eyes when he regarded Wels.
Suddenly something made much more sense and all at once he realized how much worse things would get for him if Wels didn’t walk away from the battle tomorrow. Impulse gave a soft sigh, catching Zedaph’s attention before motioning him over. Curious the worried Blonde came over, sitting beside Impulse.
“You know… everyone needs something to fight for and right now… he needs it more than ever.” Impulse whispered, nodding towards Wels.
“He just-”
“I know, that’s why I don’t think he should be left alone, or to believe he’s alone.” Impulse pointed out, his tone so quiet it could easily be missed by the quiet clanking of armor across the room.
“You’re right…” Zedaph said softly before standing and going over to the broken Knight. Impulse stood, putting his gear away and scooping Tangcat up by the middle. He might as well have picked up a bundle of rope from the way the cat just hung limp in his hand like a cooked noodle. Impulse headed out of the room as the other two started speaking, giving them some privacy.