The Occultist, Ch01: The Red Thirst
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works, if you recognise it from somewhere else, surprise it isn't mine.
Betad by morde24, Atrius, Hermes, Priapus, Marethyu, Old man of the mountain, TheDonFluffles, Malcolm Tent and Mike, God of Lore
The Guild of Gamers: The Occultist
Chapter 01: The Red Thirst
I honestly don't think I did anything wrong, in the grand scheme of things.
"Alexander Shaw, for the crimes of aggravated assault, vandalism, fraud, arson, kidnapping, multiple counts of premeditated murder, along with too many more to list, you are found guilty," the fat judge says, their makeup failing to hide their unhealthy skin tone. "For the crime of driving under the influence, you are found not guilty."
See, I told them I wasn't driving drunk. I absolutely did the rest, however, but again, I believe I'm the victim here.
Despite my sentencing, my smile doesn't fade, ignoring the Judge's ever so dull ramblings to look towards the crowds, giving my adoring fans a wink.
Ah, the benefits of good luck, good looks, and fame. You can be a true monster and you'll still have fans swooning over you.
The Judge says I'm sentenced to death, but again my expression doesn't shift.
The advantages to being an a-list actor, faking serene calmness is entirely too easy.
I'm better than these peasants, a true artisan, how dare they judge me for my actions?
Long story short, I'm a former child actor turned superstar. A producer tried to take advantage of me when I was barely in my teens and I beat him to death with an award I'd won not two days before.
It got covered up at the time, due to my rising star, and things… developed from there. I personally believe that I'm merely a victim of the terrible Hollywood culture, corrupted by being dropped into that cesspool from such a young age by my gold-digging parents.
I should be pitied, not punished.
Do you want to live?
Hmm? Oh, hello voice in my head. Is that you, God? Here to absolve me of my sins.
You're more right than you think. Do you want to live, even if it means leaving this world?
I'd rather not die, if it's all the same to you.
You won't die, technically. You will be moved to a new world, given powers and a second chance.
And what is in it for you?
For now? Entertainment, we shall see if you're worth more than that.
Ah, so it's my eternal duty to be entertainment for the masses? So be it, I do love the spotlight.
Take me away, my mysterious friend, away from the consequences of my mischief, and the judgement of these fools.
A flash of light fills my vision as people shout in shock and fear, but their confusion isn't my problem as I'm spirited away by my saviour.
So, one last question.
What's your favourite mythical creature?
Why, the vampire of course. Was there ever any question?
I once played Dracula, my pale skin and long black hair making me fit the role perfectly.
Called it.
Have fun, and try not to die.
With that said, I feel my body start to change as I black out, never to see my home world again.
— Alexander Shaw —
Waking in some dark, dirty back alley, I wince at the overwhelming smells my nose can pick up, piss and faeces, vomit and trash.
This isn't a place for someone such as me, shaking my head as I stand up.
It looks like it's just after sunset, and my eyes are adapting to the darkness better than before.
[Occult System Online]
[Vampiric Fortitude]
Your vampiric body is far more resilient than mere mortal bodies, granting you both rapid regeneration and a body that can take far more punishment.
[Vampiric Senses]
Your vampiric senses are far stronger than those of mortals, granting yourself sharper vision, hearing and scent.
[Vampiric Physiology]
Your vampiric body is far stronger than a regular mortal's, granting you great speed and strength.
[Spider Climb]
As a vampire you can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, while keeping your hands free.
[Deathless Nature]
As a Vampire, you don't need to breathe, and mindless undead creatures will not perceive you as a threat unless you take aggressive actions towards them.
An influx of information fills my mind, only now noticing that while I was instinctively breathing, I don't actually need to at all.
[Weakness: Blood Thirst (Thirsty)]
You require a considerable amount of blood to survive, around one pint a day unless you are heavily using your powers. If you do not drink this much, your powers will start to fade, all weaknesses will become stronger and eventually you will fall into a feeding frenzy.
[Weakness: Fire (Major)]
Fire is a major weakness for you, dealing much more damage than usual, bypassing your defences and being much harder to heal.
[Weakness: Silver (Major)]
Silver burns you to touch, leaving painful burns that heal slower than usual. Silver weapons are especially effective against you.
[Weakness: Sunlight (Ultimate)]
The sun is your ultimate enemy, any exposure to the sun will cause the exposed flesh to incinerate almost instantly, taking much longer to regrow.
[Weakness: Stakes]
If a wooden stake is placed into your heart, it will paralyse you leaving you completely defenceless until it is removed.
Ah, perhaps 'vampire' wasn't the right answer, but as I take in my surroundings, some run-down city, I feel excitement stir in my unbeating heart.
I've always known I was better than other people, more beautiful, more talented, just all-around superior to the regular chaff, but now?
I've been given power to match my obviously superior nature, chosen by my mysterious benefactor and dropped into a world where I can thrive.
New knowledge tells me that I'm in a place called Brockton Bay, on Earth Bet. A world of heroes and villains, and now the supernatural.
My 'system' isn't just vampirism, I can sense that, that just seems to be what I'm currently limited to. How interesting.
It seems like my powers will grow if I act according to my 'class', I will grow as a vampire as long as I'm acting like a vampire.
Personality Analysed: Toreador preset selected.
[Celerity, Discipline of Dexterity: Novice]
[Cat's Grace]
You gain supernatural balance and grace.
[Rapid Reflexes]
Your reflexes are increased to the level of being able to dodge gunfire.
[Presence, Discipline of Emotions: Novice]
[Awe]
When you employ this power, those who are near you either want to be closer to you or shudder in fear, wanting to flee. It is an immediate and intense attraction, but not so overpowering that those afflicted lose their sense of self-preservation. Danger breaks the spell of fascination.
[Lingering Kiss]
Once you kiss a victim, through either the Blood Kiss or otherwise, you possess a lingering influence over them, staying in their mind for days.
[Auspex, Discipline of Sensing: Novice]
[Heightened Senses]
Allows you to elevate one of your senses beyond their already-supernatural levels.
[An Ear For Lies]
You have an innate ability to sense when someone is lying to you.
[Sense the Unseen]
You can sense things that are invisible or otherwise hidden if they come within your range.
I have no idea what a Toreador is, but I won't complain about gaining more powers.
But I have a pressing concern, because I'm thirsty, and this isn't a thirst that can be quenched with water.
A test, from my new patron? To prove I can hunt for my own food with my new powers?
My next problem is the prison jumpsuit I'm wearing, though my handcuffs have been removed.
Stripping out of it, I stuff the ugly jumpsuit into a dumpster. I'd rather be in nothing but my boxers than wear such an ugly shade of orange for one second more.
Thinking for a moment, I walk up to the wall and experimentally place my hand on it, then my foot, as I start to walk up the vertical surface.
It doesn't take me long to reach the top, looking out over the city below as I consider my next move.
I need better clothes and I need blood, so perhaps I should find a place where I can get both?
This neighbourhood seems run-down, more industrial than residential, not a place I would normally be found.
My ears faintly pick up the sound of music, focusing as I heighten my hearing and make out the muffled sound of a party in the distance.
My nose can pick up the chemicals in booze and weed coming from that direction as well, if I heighten that sense instead, though I can't identify them from here.
If I was closer? Well, let's say Hollywood taught me my recreational drugs.
But I can't show up to a party in nothing but my boxers, no matter how amazing I look, frowning as I switch back to heightening my hearing.
I need clothes, and I don't want to risk being around too many people with a thirst this strong.
I don't know how strong I am, nor how fast or how tough, so I don't want to take chances just yet.
Moving across the rooftops, I listen as I pass over houses, able to leap from rooftop to rooftop as long as they aren't too far apart, finding a house where I can barely hear breathing but no movement.
Moving down to the ground level again, I carefully check the doors and windows, finding them all locked. Makes sense, this doesn't seem like a good neighbourhood given the gang signs.
No key left around either, unless they've got a good hiding place and I don't know how to pick a lock.
Climbing the wall around back, I move to the window and peek in, seeing a couple sleeping together, unaware of the nocturnal predator peering in at them.
I don't know the details of this world, I don't know how strong the heroes are and I don't want to risk a fight on my first night.
Retreating in annoyance, I listen carefully again, finally finding someone out and about. I don't need to think too hard to wonder why they are out and about at this time of night, watching the hooded figure lurking around, wearing a balaclava under their hoodie.
Holding a crowbar, they make their way towards a store as I start my first hunt. He slips into an alleyway, never looking up as I drop onto him.
It's not exactly a perfect execution as he spins around at the sound of me landing, swinging the crowbar at me.
My reflexes are apparently good enough to dodge bullets, so a frantically swung crowbar is no real threat to me as I grab it, the metal creaking in my grip as I rip it out of his hands.
He stumbles back, a strangled cry of "Cape!" as he reaches for his waist, a gun tucked into his belt, but that seals his fate. I just wanted his clothes, but he's some nobody, the dregs of society willing to try to kill me to escape the consequences of his late-night actions.
I lunge forwards, grabbing his arm with one hand as my other lifts his balaclava enough for me to bite down on his neck.
My first taste of blood isn't exactly glamorous, nor is it particularly sweet as I pin him against the alleyway wall, reaching down for his gun and tossing it aside.
Pulling back after I've had my fill, I watch as the man slumps against the wall, pausing. He saw my face.
Stripping him, I change into the dirty jeans, white t-shirt and hoodie he was wearing, taking his balaclava as well before I hesitate.
Running a hand through my hair in frustration, my much more luxurious and thick hair than his reedy balding hair, I pause as I feel something.
Are my ears pointed?
A quick touch shows that yes, both my ears are almost elven in nature, long and pointed as they barely peek out through my hair.
Huh, I wonder what other aesthetic changes I have had, hopefully not too many. You can't mess with perfection after all.
Reluctantly, I put on the Balaclava after making the mouth hole bigger, picking the gun back up.
I prefer knives, but with a steady hand I take aim and put two bullets in the man's head and make my escape, back to the rooftops.
I run for a bit, eventually making a decision and listening once more, picking out the party as I slowly make my way towards the sound, sticking to the shadows as I once again take to the rooftops and watch the party below.
It's not as classy as the parties I'm used to, though just as degenerate. Drugs and sex abound as I lurk on my rooftop, watching the chaos.
I manage to pick out some words from my position, Skidmark, Merchants, Empire.
It's a victory celebration, apparently the Merchants are a gang led by Skidmark, presumably a villain, and they recently won some sort of victory against a group called the Empire.
What I want is for someone to break off, to go home where I can ambush them, but these idiots seem determined to party until they pass out, fucking and drinking as they take drugs I don't actually recognise.
The party itself isn't held in a house but in a scrapyard, for some reason, mostly open air giving me a good line of sight on the partygoers.
Just from how people act, I manage to pick out 'Skidmark', on a rotting recliner chair he's using like a throne, his dark skin patchy and his teeth rotten.
He looks as disgusting as his name, one arm wrapped around a trashy looking blonde girl with massive tits, one hand groping her breast through her tanktop.
I think she's called 'Squealer', and that walking pile of trash that's the source of such a unique smell is apparently 'Mush'.
I hate all three of their names, but apparently Mush and Skidmark beat someone called Stormtiger, so he's the man of the hour.
I don't need my considerable people skills to see that the girl he's currently got giving him a handjob doesn't want to be there, her face scrunched up in disgust.
I don't blame her, I've seen some very pretty women with very ugly men, but Mush is a deformed goblin of a man, his body twisted and hideous with actual trash hanging off him.
The sight alone is offensive to me, my lips curling up into a sneer, exposing my fangs.
My thoughts are distracted as I hear talking, coming from above me?
In the distance, flying high above the building I'm hiding on is a stone platform that's flying towards the party, three people on the top of it, and a guy wearing a metal tiger mask flying alongside it as I take cover, trying not to be seen.
One is a smaller figure in a long hooded robe, another is dressed like a German officer with a gas-mask covering his face and the third is a man with unnaturally smooth white skin, pure white eyes.
I also hear several vans approaching the party as I mentally curse.
This must be the Empire.
My thoughts are proven right as they fly down, the one I think is probably Stormtiger given the mask almost vibrating with rage as Skidmark laughs.
"See, Squeals, told you the cunt-licking Nazis would take the bait," Skidmark laughs, making the Empire contingent pause even as the vans pull up, armed men piling out of them. "I'm such a fucking genius."
Before they can speak, the reason they were partying in a scrapyard becomes clear as the mountain of junk cars behind Skidmark's throne moves, shifting like transformer made out of rust and depression until it reveals its true form, pulling Skidmark and Squealer into its 'cockpit'.
Is that a tank made of scrap?
What the fuck is wrong with this world?
But my disbelief doesn't last long as the abomination fires flak up at the capes, seeming to be made up of more scrap metal and actual trash, Mush himself forming up as the fight begins, gunshots and chaos filling the night.
I don't focus on the capes, I can't, because as the bullets fly, I smell blood.
My pupils dilate as I clench my fists, looking at the closest source of blood.
As the fight starts, the trio split up with the Nazi officer and the pale man join the fray, while the robed girl stays in her platform as she launches rubble at the abomination.
But she's unknowingly lowered herself to my level, and my eyes lock onto her side where some of the scrap from the surprise cut into her midsection, her hand on it as she bleeds and stains her robe with blood.
There's something about her blood that calls to me, far more enticing than the disappointing taste I had earlier.
Before I can stop myself, I make my move and dash forwards, seeing an opportunity as she flies near my rooftop.
Leaping from my rooftop, the girl lets out a surprised shout as I land on her platform, though she reacts quickly and tries to pivot the platform to throw me off, unaware of my ability to stick to surfaces as I lunge for her.
She wears a mask, but it only covers the top half of her face leaving her lower half uncovered, an angry scowl in her youthful face, and more importantly her neck as I open my mouth, her mouth opening in shock as she spots my fangs.
As they draw in to bite down on her neck, her weak fists beat against my chest as I grab her tightly, my strength far exceeding her own as I start to drink her life essence.
Her struggles fade in my embrace, whether because she's realised the futility of her efforts or because her strength is fading as I keep drinking, I don't know.
I'm not sure I'd have been able to stop, intoxicated by the taste of her crimson nectar, but her allies aren't completely asleep, which becomes clear when three blades cut into my naked back, forcing me to release her as I turn and hiss at Stormtiger, blood leaking from my mouth as Rune hangs limply in my hands.
He pauses not far from us, but before he can speak, I put my supernatural strength to use and toss Rune at him, her small frame not weighing that much.
I'm not that strong, but I'm definitely stronger than even the strongest base-human, sending the probably-teenage girl at my first real opponent, her platform already falling.
Focusing my reflexes, time almost seems to slow down as Stormtiger multitasks, sending another set of claws at me as he flies to catch the falling girl, who definitely wouldn't survive the fall.
Using the falling platform as a springboard, I leap forwards towards him, barely managing to jump over the air-claws as he has a moment to make an important decision.
He can dodge me, or he can catch his comrade. He can't do both.
Credit where it is due, he continues flying towards me and the girl, catching her out of the air as I collide with him, biting down on his neck as he shouts in pain, the three of us tumbling out of the air as he struggles to stabilise us with the girl in his hands and me clinging to him, fangs deep in his neck.
But he doesn't need to, as the platform moves under us as we fall, Rune's hand outstretched as she groans, making me let go of Stormtiger which gives him room to slash at me again, cutting my stomach open as I'm dislodged.
His blood wasn't nearly as sweet.
I don't think about that too much as I jump from the platform and onto the wall of my building, one hand and foot holding me in place as I stare up at him, my wounds slowly closing.
See, he's forgotten something that I haven't.
He goes to attack again, when a blast of scrap strikes him out of the air, the tank having taken aim when the girl stopped attacking it.
The girl catches him as I skitter up the building, briefly giving her a smirk as I turn and run up the building.
Discretion is the better part of valour, and my stomach and back really fucking hurt. I can see my fucking intestines hanging out of the large gashes he made, almost disembowelling me.
They don't pursue, and I'm pretty sure Stormtiger survived the blast, but the chaos of the fight lets me disappear between the rundown buildings as I watch my flesh mend, the gashes slowly closing inch by inch.
A few minutes later, I'm unharmed once more, freezing as a very fancy looking bike drives down the street towards the fight.
I do discover something important. Healing drains my blood supply, and while it doesn't leave me back at square one I didn't make any real progress on my goals, beyond making enemies of this 'Empire'.
From what I heard, they're Nazis, so fuck them anyway. I'll be back for round two soon enough.
But, I have a problem.
I am effectively homeless, and I don't have that long until sunlight.
I need to find a place to stay for the daylight hours, because near instantaneous incineration isn't on my to do list.
Plus I don't think I should stick around here either, I think it's better that I move on for now.
I stick to the back alleys and side streets, there's a lot of action currently on-going as I hear police sirens and more fighting, staying unseen in the shadows as I feel something inside me unlock as I lurk across rooftops and in dark corners.
Obfuscate Unlocked
[Obfuscate, Discipline of Concealment: Novice]
[Cloak of Shadows]
Allows you to become invisible as long as you remain still.
[Silence of Death]
Allows you to nullify all sounds that you make.
Hm, interesting.
I can feel a lot of disciplines inside me, ready to be unlocked when the time comes, whispers of power in the back of my head.
For now, I simply put my new skills to the test as even the quiet sounds my footsteps made disappear.
Now, where the hell am I supposed to spend the day?
— Lisa Wilbourn (Tattletale) — Several Days Later
There was a new cape in the city, which wasn't particularly unusual given Brockton Bay's cape population.
This one was slightly different because during their first appearance they nearly killed an Empire cape. Rune hadn't been seen since her near-death by blood loss during the Empire's failed raid on Skidmark and the Merchants.
The Empire were going mad of course, searching the docks and boat graveyard for this new cape, which meant they were frequently fighting with the Merchants, who were rapidly learning that they held only their territory because nobody else actually wanted it.
But the Empire was having little success tracking down the new cape, even with how active they were being.
Every single night, someone was attacked.
The new cape was hunting throughout Merchant territory, ambushing civilians so he could feed on them. His victims usually survived and he was getting better at ambushing people. The recents ones didn't even see his face.
From what she'd been able to work out, his power gave him a vampiric need to drink blood, which made some people think he might be a particularly human-looking Case 53 as they could have bizarre dietary needs.
Unfortunately, he seemed to have some resistance to Thinker abilities, as she couldn't get much from the single recording there was of him moving, inhumanly fast.
Coil wanted information on him, but there honestly wasn't much to go on.
"Got anything?" Tattletale asked, watching Bitch's dogs sniff around the alleyway where his most recent attack took place.
"Blood, he went that way," Bitch replied, Brutus, Angelica and Judas sniffing around.
Grue stood by her, quietly. Regent had stayed home for this one, though he had 'helpfully' told Grue to watch out, since the black guy always died first in the horror movies.
Following the trail, they quickly found how he was staying unseen, because the scent led up the wall.
Bitch's dogs could still follow from the ground, but this attack hadn't been too long ago and he'd covered a lot of ground.
He never hunted in the same place twice, spreading his hunts around the docks and the surrounding area.
The trail finally led them to a rundown factory, long out of business and abandoned, the dogs growling.
Were they nervous? Now that she looked closer, even Bitch seemed on edge, more so than usual.
"He's in there?" Tattletale asked, making Bitch nod.
"That's where the trail leads," Bitch agreed, making Lisa take a breath and move forwards.
"Hello?" Tattletale shouted, entering the rundown building. There were no lights on, leaving the room almost pitch black, old machinery blocking her view. "We know you're in here, we just want to talk."
He didn't respond, making her and Grue share a look as the dogs sniffed around at Rachel's command before they moved towards the scent, barking at a stairway that led to a basement.
Right, follow the bloodthirsty cape into his creepy basement. She fucking hated Coil.
That basement likely didn't have another way out, so he was cornered, and that was dangerous.
"We know you're down there, really I just want to talk to you, we mean you no harm. I know you're new to this," Tattletale tried, once again getting no response as she sighed again.
She could see where the dust on the floor had been disturbed, someone had walked down those stairs recently.
If this was how she died, she was going to haunt Coil, the bastard.
Rachel hesitated since her dogs wouldn't be able to grow in such an enclosed environment.
"Stay here, so he doesn't slip past me," Grue reluctantly said, heading down the creaky stairs first, as Tattletale followed behind.
The factory basement had several rooms, but only one door was open, finding a sleeping bag which her power told her used to belong to a homeless man, some clothes and little else.
No cape though.
"Are you sure he came down here?" Grue asked, making her laugh.
"Of course, he's down here, somewhere," Tattletale said. "Look, we aren't here to hurt you. Our boss has an offer for you."
No response, and as Grue started to search the other rooms, she looked around finding… a small handheld mirror?
Perhaps more tellingly was what she didn't find. Not a single piece of food or drink, or a wrapper, he didn't need regular food did he?
She couldn't deny she was nervous, there were too many unknowns involved for her to be comfortable here, she didn't like having this little information to work with.
But where the hell was he?
— Alexander —
The blonde girl looks around my lair, which embarrasses me as she sees what I've been reduced to. I used to live in a high rise penthouse but now I hide in the basement of a factory.
She's dressed in a purple and black bodysuit and a domino mask, trying to hide her nerves.
I wonder how she'd feel if she knew she was standing less than two metres away from her quarry.
"Tattletale, there's a body down here," the guy in motorcycle leathers says, making her eyes widen. "I don't think he killed them, looks like they've been dead for a while."
Ah, my roommate. Yeah he was dead when I got here, overdose I think. I just stuffed him into a corner.
"Is this really what you want out of life? Hiding away in some derelict factory? Our boss pays very well," Tattletale says, seemingly knowing that I'm listening.
Her words actually hit right in my weak point, my pride.
"Tattle-"
"We're leaving," Tattletale interrupts, smirking. "When you get tired of hiding away, sleeping in a piss-covered sleeping bag, call me."
As she says this, she writes something down on a piece of paper she had in her pocket, placing it on my 'bed'.
She leaves the room, her leather-clad friend following behind, but while she might think she's tempted me, she doesn't realise her mistake.
She's right, I am tired of hiding already. The very active Empire capes have been giving me reason to stay low, but what she doesn't seem to realise is how much she's pissed me off.
I don't need her, or her boss, to better my situation, and the smug blonde girl is walking away triumphantly as if she's achieved some great victory.
My lips curl into a snarl, fangs exposed as my gaze falls onto her neck.
She thinks she's better than me, but she's nothing but livestock.
They all are.
This world will learn of my glory, and I think she's unknowingly given me an idea of where to start.