48 The cost of Humanity

Zarra was still watching Draig from the air, he was in awe of the ruthlessness that was displayed. Nothing that was living managed to escape the Vampire's clutches, every step he took would bring the end of some creature and in his wake husks were left. His body was soon bathed in blood giving a demonic feel to his person.

Unfortunately Draig was no longer in control of his actions at this moment, alas he was still in a comatose state in his mind.

Draig marched forth caring not for any who stood before him, the screams of his victims had eventually drawn the attention of the Dragon kin.

"Sir that is the one who killed our brothers" explained a familiar Dragon Kin, he was the scout who had survived.

"You were lucky then" explained the apparent leader.

"Everyone let us go ahead and sweep that blood sucker, afterwards we will continue our march" he commanded.

However he hadn't realized that he no longer had a choice in this fight, Draig's crimson eyes darted towards his group with a vicious snarl marring his face. Soon the Dragon Kin felt a terrifying domain fall over them, an inherent shiver ran through their beings.

Draig who was within their view suddenly disappeared, this wasn't due to his Mist Form this was pure speed.

Draig in his current state was no longer confined to the mortal limits, his instincts was the force controlling his body at this point in time.

Suddenly a gut wrenching sound came from their center, Draig stood there with his claws buried deep inside the guts of a Dragon kin. With a cruel smile forming he stomped on the feet of his victim as he slowly drew his hand upward, those around had yet to move due to the shock of the scene before them.

In this silence you could hear the small chinks as his hand rose from the Dragon kin's stomach ripping the scales until his arm met the bottom of his rib cage. This pause didn't last as cracking of bones was soon heard as the hand inside of the carcass swiftly slid up gutting this poor soul up to it's neck.

"Seize him you fools" shouted the Leader harshly.

This shout seemed to have awoken his fellows, they made a rush towards Draig baring their fangs and daring to use there claws while some used their innate ability to breathe fire.

Draig took no notice of this as he relished in the sight of his victim's corpse spilling it's guts on the ground, he didn't dare to turn away until he felt a prickling sensation in his back.

Looking down as he suddenly felt a similar sensation in his side he saw a scaly claw jutting from his body. The sight didn't cause him to scream out as most would do in this situation, he lifted his leg swiftly and threw it backwards. However this wasn't like his usual kicks, the air slightly trembled from the force of the strike and a sickening splashing sound was heard.

The one who had taken the liberty to strike first was no longer discernible, the only proof of his existence was the paste that was splattered on the ground.

Draig at this moment released a soul shaking roar ignoring the incoming attackers, biting into his own arm as he drank his own blood the pressure that had fallen over the area suddenly tripled causing this group of foreigners from the other planes to buckle their knees. Draig had discovered that the consumption of his own blood would enhance his Vampiric endowments, something he had never made use of until this moment.

Glistening claws filled with disdain for lower beings gleamed with malicious intent as blood began to rise from the two corpses congregating along his hands forming fierce looking gauntlets glowing a threatening crimson.

"More....." came the guttural words carrying an ancient intent in them.

Draig just after having spoken was enveloped in the flames of these Dragon kin, bringing a sense of comfort to those who witnessed the scene. However as a shadowy figure stepped out many felt there spirits leave their bodies.

The figure standing before them looked nothing like it's previous form, flesh melted revealing bone and muscle, charred skin dangling from some areas, but the most terrifying feature were those eyes that gazed out as if nothing had happened. Staring ceaselessly into the crowd as if they could pierce directly into their core.

Fear overrode them as a desperate sense of survival overtook them and they continued their mad attacks hoping to bring an end to this monstrosity. However Draig seemed to have become a smarter fighter suddenly as he dodged the strikes aiming for his head and his heart. However this wasn't him coming back to consciousness, it was the instinct of every vampire to protect these to vital points on their body's.

Draig suddenly dropped into an odd stance, his feet together one arm at his side while the other had its palm facing the sky with its fingers poised. This didn't stop those surrounding him however as they encircled him but their seemed to be some kind of barrier that kept them from getting closer after entering within attacking distance.

Draig and his deformed body suddenly spun quickly almost as if he hadn't, those who had gotten that close oddly felt their vision growing dark while Draig merely flexed his gauntlet covered hands causing a cracking sound. gashes deep in their bodies were soon noticed but they no longer had the power to panic as they fell.

Their blood surged towards Draig relentlessly leaving husks, soon his disfigured body started to squirm as if there were worms mingling in his flesh as it warped and contorted until standing before his opponents was a completely normal looking youth. However on his feet there were edged boots gleaming with the tone of death.

The leader who had been staying at the back was starting to feel a sense of dread seeing this, he began remembering rumors he had heard about the patriarch of the Vampires and his horrifying regeneration ability.

"Run, everyone run" shouted the leader his face panic stricken.

However Draig wouldn't allow this.

"Stop..." commanded Draig lightly carrying a binding power in the word causing those fearful pagans to halt in their tracks.

Stepping forward Draig pricked one of the Dragon kin in the neck causing a vicious stream of his life essence to flow out but it never touched the ground. Slowly it gathered in front of Draig before condensing into several small crimson beads that spun around his person.

One of the beads suddenly shot out, in its wake a Dragon kin had it's head burst. Soon the beads numbering around twenty began to circle in vicious cycle as the circle around Draig began expanding. As it did so more and more of the Dragon kin fell to this attack.

Bloodmancer, the skill Draig as his original self used least began to show it's true capability in the hands of this instinct driven form but who could say if this was instinct or if it was something more.

It wasn't until the last of the Dragon kin fell that their blood began congealing covering Draig forming a imposing armor with sharp blades jutting from the elbows and knees while the rest began to form a long pole however there wasn't enough blood to complete this weapon.

"Leech brat, what is wrong with you" came Zarra's sudden interruption

Draig merely looked at Zarra until a merciless smile appeared on his face.

"Die mortal" cried Draig.

Zarra grew a serious countenance.

"Looks like Daddy needs to discipline you, you ungrateful bastard" commented Zarra