The Fallen Vampire

Chapter 38: Indra’s Ambition

"I don't know what you're expecting of me, but I will not be leading anyone." Indra said.

He'd already had this conversation with Enyo, but now it seemed like it was time to have it with Keran as well.

"If you're going to ask me to become some kind of king, or even resurrect my race, I will have to disappoint you."

Keran did not look surprised by the first part of his statement, however the second part did make her flinch. "My love, do you not want to see the vampires return? I-I know how you were treated in the past but-"

"It's not that." Indra said as he shook his head. "Do you remember when I saved all of you by making that man explode?"

All of the girls nodded, and Vermeil looked a little green when she remembered that hellish night.

"I wasn't trying to kill him, I was going to turn him."

All of the girls suddenly looked at Indra like he'd just grown a second head.

Because he could understand their surprise, he did not even bother to take offense due to the glances he was receiving.

"Whatever I am now, whatever drinking that blood has made me, it has turned me into something that cannot be replicated."

The gazes Indra was receiving suddenly became ones filled with pity.

Not only did he have no memories, but the entirety of his race was now extinct and left with no hope of resurrection.

The loneliness he must've been feeling would surely be enough to break the spirit of any mortal man.

"Are you girls pitying me?"

As the girls looked at Indra, they could see that not only was he not depressed, he was perfectly composed and rational.

Sitting calmly with his arms folded and scarlet eyes aglow, his royal aura was undeniable.

How could a man like this ever be downtrodden over something as simple as being alone?

"I suppose we were worried over something useless." Keran said as she shook her head.

The rest of the trip took place in silence, with each of the travelers having something unique on their minds.

Indra however was the deepest in thought, as Keran had inadvertently caused him to question his future.

He knew that he did not want to rule, and that he had no hope of resurrecting his race so where did that leave him?

What would he do with himself when the group separated and he and Enyo were on their own?

He wasn't planning on staying with this group forever, Indra naturally was the kind of person who preferred to be alone and he wasn't sure that anything could change.

Although he had to admit, he was slowly growing fond of Lucia and Keran though he wasn't sure why.

'Great, I've given myself a headache thinking about useless things...' Indra thought with a sigh.

For now, he would simply make it through today.

Whatever happened after that would be dealt with when the time came.

-

The carriage stopped outside of a fairly large and beautiful manor.

Even though this place looked rather grand and immaculate on the inside, one could see that even this place had been affected by the overall atmosphere of the city.

There were a few cobwebs on the ceilings, some creaky wooden boards in the floor and even some of the furniture was showing signs of age and use.

The city lord was actually an orc with a piglike face and a thunderous laugh.

Despite his giant and dominating frame, he was actually quite well mannered and kind.

"I can't believe that the princess of the Garou and the last living vampire are sitting in my parlor! I'll be able to brag about this until my dying day!"

The orc did not seem to mind Indra's unwillingness to speak, he expected a noble of such high esteem to be atleast a little reserved.

Keran smiled politely, already long used to such flattery.

"You're much too kind, sir. The hospitality that you and your men have shown us will not be forgotten."

"Please, please! Think nothing of it! I owe this much to the fallen's last protectors after all!"

A hint of sadness flashed within Keran's eyes as unpleasant memories surfaced, a behavior that Indra easily noticed.

"So, may I ask how goes the war? I heard that you yourself assembled a sizable army to engage one of the heroes?"

Keran's mood sunk lower and lower as this man inadvertently hit the nail on the head.

"We... suffered a brutal defeat." She said without elaborating but it was clear that their losses were unimaginable.

"Ah..." For the first time, the joyous orc lost his wide smile.

Life for the fallen seemed to become more bleak with every passing day.

It was difficult to stay sane in times like these, so much so that a great many committed suicide.

How could you live knowing that at any time what little you had could be ripped away?

"I.. umm.. I'm sorry for bringing up something so uncomfortable." The orc apologized.

"As my condolences, please allow me to arrange for a caravan to take you back to Ferran."

Ferran was the name of the werewolves domain and it was one of the only fallen cities that was still operating under some sense of normalcy.

From here, it was about a two day journey.

Keran opened her mouth to refuse but for the first time, no words came out.

"Thank you." Indra finally said.

Suddenly, the orc's mood immediately perked up and he flashed his tusks in a wide smile. "Think nothing of it!"

The man suddenly leaned forward and lowered his head in front of the ancient vampire.

"Maybe you haven't realized it yet, but your resurrection marks the beginning of something grand beyond belief.

I'm not usually a betting man, but I wager my own mother that you will turn the tide in this war and avenge all that have fallen."

Indra said nothing as he stated at the large potbellied man with a lowered head.

So many people were placing their hopes upon him, even though he himself was still unsure about his future.

Did he have a responsibility to help them? Or should he only act selfishly as his nature demanded?

He was hoping that the answer would come sooner rather than later.

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