Chapter Text
"Dear Cherri, it's been a while since I've written you a letter. Two weeks I believe? The people here are stranger than I ever could have thought. For a moment it seemed as if people were at each other's throatsThere was a small dispute, and I wasn't sure how to move on from it, I was able to see both side's perspectives, and I'm not sure I made the right choiceI made my choice. There's peace again, but I'm not sure how long it'll last, with all of these-"
"Funny finding you up here, Apo."
It was Scott.
Apo jerked her head up from her journal, snapping it closed. She was up in the rafters of the castle, gazing through through gaps in the roof as they thought of what to write before crossing out some lines here and there. The sun was setting. It had only been a day since they'd been 'kicked out' of town. Scott had given them a day to adjust before joining the group.
"Scott- erm I mean, Sire...," Apo corrected herself, brushing off her skirt as she stood.
"I know Pyro calls me Sire, and Shelby goes along with that, but you don't need to. Though it does put me in a more agreeable mood," Scott grinned, showing off his flashy fangs.
"Yes, of course.... Sire," Apo bowed her head slightly. They thought it would be best to make it seem like they were truly on the side of the vampires, even if they were laying it on a little thick.
Scott was silent for a moment, taking pleasure in this title. "So, care to join in the festivities tonight? We're thinking of desecrating a few beacons and coming back to have a little... Get together. A party if you will, to celebrate our newest member."
Apo thought for a moment. What would the villagers think of me? Doing true evil- no, I have to do this. To convince them. To make the vampires trust me, I need to get some inside knowledge.
"Sure, yeah. I mean, it's not like the beacons do anything for me when they aren't red, and I don't have anyone back in the village..." Apo reasoned, choosing their words carefully so as to not seem too eager, but also not hesitant.
"Meet us by the Obelisk when the moon rises. You have an hour or two before that. I'll leave you be now. Don't be late," Scott added that last part in a less cheerful tone than the rest of his speech had been so far.
He turned around quickly, disappearing into a cloud of bats.
Apo took this allotted time to gather her thoughts and finish their letter to Cherri.
At the obelisk stood Shelby and Pyro, who were arguing. Owen was sulking by the water, kicking stones. Apo flew in, landing beside Shelby.
"-theres a reason he doesn't forgive you! You must've done something to anger him!" Shelby growled, hands flying around wildly as she gestured.
"No, you must've said something to him to make him favour you. You turned Avid and you're just forgiven! I tried to lay a trap for the humans and I get punished!" Pyro shot back.
"Well maybe- oh Apo! Glad you decided to join us!" Shelby immediately forgot Pyro and turned around to hug Apo, pinning her arms against her sides. If Apo still needed to breathe, they would be struggling to right about now.
"Y-yeah. I don't want to associate with the others anymore... Is Scott here yet?" Apo looked around.
"Yeah, he's at top of the obelisk. He said he was 'letting the moon compliment his complexion'," Shelby used their fingers to make air quotes.
Apo gave a forced laugh. "Right, well... Let's get to desecrating."
Scott leapt down at this. It was a long fall for a human, even for a vampire. But Scott was no ordinary vampire. He landed and the ground beneath his feet cracked. Pyro jumped, letting out a startled yelp. Shelby ran over to Scott to ask him about who knows what. Owen didn't even look up.
Apo and Pyro were alone next to each other. She could tell he wanted to say something, but rather than giving him time to open his mouth they marched right up to the beacon.
It was warm, and it emanated a soft glow. Before being turned it would've filled Apo with hope, strength, and life. Now it didn't do anything. Apo couldn't feel the warmth. Couldn't feel the good that came from it. The light stung their eyes to look at for so long. Tears threatened to break.
Apo raised their hands, slamming them down onto the beacon, yelling out. Small cracks formed beneath their fists, and the yellow began to seep out through these cracks, causing the beacon to drain of its power.
"Impressive. Though you don't need to destroy it, we do want it intact you know? Once we've turned it, we get benefits," Scott chided. It was clear he was holding back a smile, however.
Little by little the hope died. And from Apo's hands flowed red. It wasn't blood however.
Pyro and Shelby came over, and Owen stalked over as well. With the five of them together the beacon began to turn faster. Apo found herself stricken with grief, rage, and fear. How could she be doing this? How could Pyro and Shelby support this? How many beacons had they been the ones to desecrate? These emotions only fed the beacon, as it began to darken, the red mixing with the dull grey of its neutral state. Within moments a wave of power overcame Apo, and she removed her hands. She felt... Different. Changed.
"Well done. You're quite good at this. Meet us back at the castle for some crimson. We have needs to celebrate, we've got a natural prodigy with us," Scott looked Apo in the eyes as he said this.
It felt as though he could see right through her. But he didn't say anything. Maybe Apo truly was meant for evil, unable to protect anyone. Only able to destroy.
The others all turned into bats, and flew off. Apo was too weak from desecrating the beacon to use these powers however.
Maybe I'll pay Truffle a visit on my way over. I can... Redeem myself by feeding him, as long as he still loves me then there's some good that hasn't been tainted.
Apo was at the bridge of the castle, taking care to not fall as she made her way across. Truffle had seemed nervous, more nervous than usual. He was completely silent. He knew they were a vampire. He'd been more hesitant to take a carrot than he had been a few days ago. Maybe he could smell the blood on Apo's hands. Apo promised this wouldn't be forever, once the cure was ready then they could live together again.
The doors of the castle were open. It was a cold night, but the draught didn't bother any of the vampires, their skin was cold as ice to begin with.
The table had been adorned with a tablecloth. Many dishes were set out, all of raw, dripping meat. There was a punch bowl, and a chicken was tied down to the table. Music was coming from somewhere Apo couldn't identify. Scott was speaking with Pyro, their conversion seemed to be tense, but from this far away Apo couldn't be sure. Owen was sipping from a goblet as Shelby dances by herself nearby. She almost knocked a chair over with excitement as she spotted Apo.
Shelby ran over to take Apo's hands, and pulled them into a dance.
"You're here!" Shelby exclaimed.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Apo questioned.
"Owen thought you might've chickened out. He thought maybe tonight had been too intense for you," they explained. "I never doubted you for a second."
Apo smiled. Even though Shelby was a vampire, she was just as optimistic as she'd been when she was living.
Shelby took Apo for a walk around the table. Apo looked up and saw that Pyro and Scott were uncomfortably close now. Scott was in Pyro's face, as if daring him to try something. Pyro was glaring defiantly.
"Here is some lamb, though don't worry, we didn't kill any babies. And here we have some cow, and here's the punch! Owen made it," her voice dropped to a whisper, "there's bones in it, so be careful about them when you're drinking."
Apo nodded, trying to follow along as her head swam. She had been extremely hungry before, but the squirming in their stomach was no longer from hunger. Keep it together they imagined Cleo's voice in their head.
"And here, is the sacrificial chicken. Sire says it's the most important part of any feast," Shelby finished her tour of the table.
"That's right, Shelby. And the killing of it is reserved for the guest of honour."
Apo jumped as Scott appeared behind them. Shelby turned around, curtseying.
Apo looked over to where Scott had been speaking with Pyro, who was now standing alone. Their face was a bright pink. Apo had assumed that vampires couldn't blush due to their lack of blood, but Pyro proved this to be false.
"Who's the guest of honour?" Apo asked, wondering if perhaps one of the town residing vampires was going to show up all of a sudden.
Scott simply laughed.
"You, Apo. Dear, you've done so well on your first night with us all. You get the kill, as a reward."
Looking at the chicken, her head throbbed. It's eyes darted around, as it thrashed helplessly against its binds. It seemed to have long given up clucking in fear. It only let out raspy sounds.
"Right, of course. Should I wait until later or...?" Apo was trying to come up with a plan to get this chicken out alive, or at least to get someone else to kill it.
"Oh, no. We can't start the party without the kill," Scott elaborated.
With that, the others gathered around. Pyro stood next to Scott. Owen was across the table still, but he'd stepped closer, his eyes locked onto the chickens throat. Shelby whispered words of encouragement to Apo.
It was silent as everyone waited.
Apo undid the ropes holding the chicken down, and held it in their arms. It's heart was beating. It reminded her of Truffle. They felt sick. The raw meat they'd been using to sustain themselves threatened to surface. Apo turned the chicken around to face her. She looked it in the eyes and her heart filled with dread. Apo bent their head down, mouth open over the neck.
Everyone anticipated the kill. The blood. The promise of violence and death.
Apo bit down, sinking her fangs deep into the flesh of the chicken. The thick liquid filled her mouth and threatened to run down the back of her throat. She held back a gag. They could feel the blood spilling over and down her chin. The feeling made them want to hurl. In a panic, Apo tore back, which resulted in a large chunk of meat to tear away as well.
Apo held the dead, still spluttering chicken in their arms. They swayed on their feet. The last thing Apo heard before blacking out was clapping from Shelby as well as Scott's praise.