chapter 7

For the past two days, Adam had been searching the streets of Los Angeles, utilizing his powers to gather information. From shadowy alleyways to dimly lit bars, Adam had listened intently to conversations, probing for any mention of the elusive gang or areas associated with their activities.

Despite his relentless efforts, Adam was frustrated as each lead turned out to be a dead end. The streets whispered secrets, but they offered no concrete clues about the whereabouts of the Grey Bulls. Every piece of information he gathered seemed to lead to a dead end, leaving him feeling increasingly disheartened.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on the second evening of his quest, Adam found himself grappling with a sense of urgency. Time was slipping away, and the stakes of his mission grew ever higher. The looming shadow of the Grey Bulls cast a long shadow over the city, its presence a tangible reminder of the danger lurking in the shadows.

With a heavy heart and a mind consumed by thoughts of failure, Adam pressed on into the night, his footsteps echoing through the deserted streets. Each passing moment brought him closer to the brink of despair, yet beneath the weight of his frustration, a glimmer of determination still flickered.

Adam, feeling the search for the Grey Bulls was fruitless, decided it was time to shift his focus. With no immediate time constraints on his mission, he sought to divert his mind by delving into another pressing matter, the vampires that lurked within the city.

Calling a cab, Adam directed the driver to the bustling streets of Hollywood, where he himself witnessed vampire activity. As the cab traversed the busy thoroughfares, Adam's keen eyes scanned the surroundings, watchful for any sign of supernatural activity.

Upon arrival at the Hollywood area, Adam's attention was immediately drawn to a peculiar sight. Standing amidst the historic Hollywood forever Cemetery, he saw a gathering of shadowy figures that seemed to flit and flicker like phantoms in the night. Perplexed by the unexpected sight, Adam's curiosity was piqued, prompting him to investigate further.

Getting out of the cab, Adam paid the driver and made his way toward the cemetery, his senses attuned to the subtle energies that pulsed through the night air. As he drew closer, the spectral forms became more distinct, their ethereal presence casting an eerie glow amidst the darkness.

Observing the scene with a mixture of fascination and apprehension, Adam watched as the wraiths moved with a haunting grace. Strangely, it seemed that only he could perceive their spectral forms, as passersby went about their business without a second glance.

Eyes fixed on the shifting shadows, Adam sought to unravel the event before him, his mind racing with questions. What were these wraiths, and what purpose did they serve?

Yet, as quickly as they had appeared, Adam felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was as if a veil had been drawn over his vision, obscuring the wraiths from his sight. Surprised by the sudden change, Adam blinked in confusion, unable to comprehend why the spectral beings had faded from view so abruptly.

Adam, recognizing the potential involvement of vampires in the eerie phenomenon he had witnessed, decided to investigate those creatures. With a firm grip on his amulet and the words of power ready on his lips, he invoked the magic that concealed his true identity, shrouding his features in an illusion.

Without bothering to conceal his presence, Adam strode purposefully into a nearby alley, his senses alert for any sign of approaching danger. It wasn't long before his keen instincts proved correct, as a young man, seemingly drawn by Adam's unique appearance, followed him into the secluded space.

The vampire's appearance was both captivating and unsettling. He possessed a slim body. His piercing blue eyes held a glimmer of mischief. Short black hair, styled with a side shave, framed his face. Adorned with boyish features, the vampire bore a nose piercing and ear piercings that glinted faintly in the dim light, using silver sense, Adam was relieved to know it was not silver. He wore a black leather jacket, beneath it, a simple white t-shirt and denim jeans.

"Hello there, handsome." the vampire greeted, his voice smooth as silk yet laced with an underlying menace. "These streets can be dangerous for someone as... interesting as yourself."

"Likewise, pretty boy." Adam's response was swift and sharp, his words laced with a hint of mockery.

Undeterred, the vampire closed the distance between them, his touch gentle. Adam braced himself, his muscles coiling with tension.

Adam tapped into his rage to take the Glabro form. In a few moments, Adam's transformation began, his body contorting and shifting as raw fury surged through his veins. His form grew larger and more imposing, his features twisted into a fearsome visage. His claws grew long and razor sharp.

Adam seized the vampire by the throat, hurling him against the nearest wall with a force that reverberated through the alley. Before the vampire could recover, Adam closed in, pinning him against the cold stone with an iron grip.

"We need to talk, pretty boy." Adam growled, his voice a low and menacing.

The vampire was terrified, but he steeled himself and launched into action. Drawing upon the blood discipline of Potence, his muscles swelled with unnatural strength, empowering his strike as he aimed a punch straight at Adam's face.

The blow landed, but to the vampire's surprise, it seemed to have little effect on Adam. His resilient form barely flinched, betraying the vampire's assumption that he was just another mortal prey. Adam's grip tightened and he seized the vampire's face, with one hand.

"Got it out of your system?" Adam's voice was calm yet menacing, his grip unyielding. "I hope you did because if you try that again I will rip off your arms."

"What the fuck are you?!" The vampire's attempt at defiance was feeble, his terror evident in his voice.

"A werewolf and I have some questions." Adam said, his tone still calm. "I saw a bunch of wraiths flying over the Hollywood Forever cemetery. Hollywood is your bloodsuckers' territory, so I think it's one of the death clans up to something. I want to know what."

"Yes, I know about that." the vampire stammered. "I will tell you all about them, just put me down, please."

"What's the name of the death clans?" Adam's inquiry was sharp and direct, his grip tightening on the vampire's face.

"Wh-what?"

"The death clan you know about." Adam pressed. "They have many names, but they now go by a united name. If you know about what's happening, then you should know their names. Tell me who they are."

"Um... the um... the Hades Clan?" The vampire's response was uncertain, his voice tinged with fear.

"Good guess, but no." Adam said with a small smile. "Listen, I'm not going to kill you. I want you to take me to someone who knows. But remember, I have your scent, so if you betray me, I will hunt you down and tear you apart."

"I can't take you to them, I won't betray them." the vampire protested, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Are you that loyal to a bunch of Sabbat animals?" Adam's voice dripped with disdain as he slammed the vampire against the wall.

"I'm not Sabbat, I swear. I'm an Anarch." the vampire pleaded, desperation evident in his tone.

"You act like Sabbat." Adam accused. "You followed a young boy into an empty alley. I don't need magical power to know what you wanted to do."

"He's telling the truth." A female voice spoke from behind him. "He might be an asshole and a freak, but he actually makes sure teenagers are safe in this shit city. He does feed on them a little but doesn't hurts them."

"If you believe that, then why did you follow him, Lady?" Adam's questioned without looking back.

"I wasn't following that asshole, I was following you." the female voice declared. "I might even have some answers for what is happening in the city."

Adam remained focused on the vampire he held captive, but his senses remained keenly attuned to the movement behind him. Despite his outward demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

"Do you now?" Adam's responded.

"I know they are called the Hecata," the woman continued, her voice steady and confident. "I also know that clans like Giovanni, Harbingers of Ashur, Samedi, and the Nagaraja created that clan."

The information she provided sent a jolt of recognition through Adam's mind, causing him to release his grip on the vampire as he turned to face the woman. What he saw before him was a young woman, seemingly in her late teens.

The girl that stood before him was a vampire. Her olive skin illuminated by the dim light of the alley. Curly black hair framed her face. But it was her eyes that drew Adam's attention the most, a pair of mesmerizing yellow orbs that seemed to glow faintly in the darkness, giving her an otherworldly presence. Despite the gravity of the situation, Adam couldn't help but notice the girl's physical attributes. She was of average height, with a compact yet athletic build. Her attire, consisting of a hoodie, jeans, and sports shoes. She was also a decent looking girl, she would have looked even better if she had showered and cleaned the dirt off of her face.

"What the fuck is this, Ramona?!" the male vampire said while pointing at Adam.

"Nick, please get the fuck out of here." Ramona ordered firmly.

Nick tapped into the power of his blood, invoking the discipline of Celerity to enhance his speed. With a burst of supernatural agility, he darted behind Ramona, though he remained within the alley, clearly wary of Adam.

"So, you are the Lupine that killed a bunch of Sabbat members?" Ramona's tone held a mixture of curiosity and wariness as she addressed Adam.

"I am." Adam confirmed, his gaze steady as he met Ramona's eyes. "And you… I have no clue who you are other than you are probably from the clan Gangrel."

"Yeah, yeah, we get it you know a lot of shit." Ramona replied. "What matters right now to me is that you want to fuck those Sabbat fucks, I wouldn't mind seeing that, so why don't we help each other. Tell me what's your problem and I'll tell you what I can."

Adam wasted no time in explaining what he had witnessed, the wraiths flying over the cemetery, invisible to human eyes but visible to his own supernatural senses. Ramona listened intently, her expression thoughtful as she processed the information.

"That might be a little more complicated than you know." Ramona remarked, her tone serious. "Truth be told, we don't know what is happening here ourselves either. You might not believe it but fucking zombies are rising."

"Zombies aren't that weird, it can happen." Adam interjected.

"Okay, that's cool." Ramona replied. "Listen, we the Anarchs don't know shit about what is happening. With the Second Inquisition and the Sabbat, we got our hands full, so it would be nice if you helped. I'm pretty sure some Barons would pay you after fixing the problem."

"Tell me all you know about the zombies." Adam requested.

"I heard some things, mostly rumors." Ramona explained. "There are rumors of ghosts bothering people, every graveyard is closed, protected either by the kindred or the feds to make sure zombies don't attack people. The necromancer clans think someone is doing this to fuck with the city but I really don't trust them that much."

"Kindred?" Adam asked.

"It's our word for vampire." Ramona said.

"I'll look into it. Now please leave, I want to shift back to my human form, and I don't like it when people are watching," Adam requested.

"Sure, I can…" Ramona began, turning to leave, only to find Nick lurking behind her.

"I stayed to have your back." Nick explained defensively.

"I'm pretty sure I can kill both of you." Adam warned,

"Ramona is a legend, we can take you down together." Nick countered defiantly.

"Don't listen to him." Ramona interjected sharply, delivering a swift kick to Nick's leg. "I am good at fighting, but I don't want any trouble with a Lupine. I don't want to see Nick dead, but if he wants to be an idiot, then it is his own choice."

With that, Ramona tapped into the power of her blood, undergoing a swift transformation. A layer of crimson-hued energy enveloped her body, causing her form to shrink and morph until she took the shape of an owl. With a graceful flap of her wings, she took flight, leaving Adam and Nick behind in the alley.

"Do you want to be stupid?" Adam questioned Nick, his voice low and dangerous. Nick shook his head, now visibly shaken by the encounter. "Good, then get the fuck out of here before I rip your head off."

Nick needed no further encouragement, he turned and fled from the alley. Once he was certain the coast was clear, Adam allowed himself to shift back into his human form. He found it a lot easier to change under the watchful gaze of the crescent moon. The crescent moon seemed to strengthen his connection to his shifter nature.

The only lead Adam had was the cemetery, and he knew going there alone would be dangerous. Yet, something primal within him felt excited about it, a stirring in his gut that resonated with the state of the moon hanging overhead.

Adam didn't want to deny his primal nature in this state of the moon, especially in an area where people were nearby. With a sense of determination, he began to walk toward the cemetery. As he drew closer, he spotted wraiths from time to time, their spectral forms flickering in and out of sight as if obscured by an unseen barrier.

Upon reaching the entrance, Adam found it closed off, forcing him to search for another way in. Checking the perimeter of the cemetery, he eventually discovered a secluded spot that was out of preying eyes. With a stealthy grace, he scaled the wall, his lupine instincts guiding him effortlessly.

As Adam entered the cemetery, his senses were immediately assaulted by an energy, a primal force that pulsed through the air like a heartbeat. Unlike the blood magic, hedge sorcery and infernalism he had sensed in his life, this power resonated with the raw essence of nature itself.

Adam closed his eyes and reached out with his consciousness, attuning himself to the potent currents swirling around him. It was Garou shamanism, but unlike anything he had ever encountered before. This wasn't the gentle whisper of the spirits guiding him through the Gauntlet, nor was it the familiar resonance of his own shamanistic abilities. Instead, it was a tempestuous surge of primal energy, wild and untamed, echoing with the ancient rhythms of the earth. It spoke of a power far beyond his own. And as Adam stood amidst the tombstones, he couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the magnitude of the magic that surrounded him.

The air was thick with the stench of death and decay, assaulting Adam's senses as he took in his surroundings. Following his heightened senses, he stripped away his clothes and shifted into his Lupus form, a sleek, albino Egyptian jackal, his senses sharpening in the process.

Sniffing the ground, Adam traced the source of the scent, a pile of fresh corpses alongside a pile of undead corpses. The zombies bore the marks of human weapons, their bullet wounds and slash marks. But it was the fresh corpses that caught Adam's attention, torn apart in a manner that showed a savage ferocity beyond the capability of the undead.

Drawing nearer, Adam observed the telltale signs of feeding, the bite marks, the absence of hearts and brains, yet there was a curious distinction among the corpses. Some bore the faint scent of vampires, their attire suggesting a different social standing from the mortal victims without the vampire scent.

As Adam was carefully examining the corpses sprawled on the ground, his heightened senses on alert for any signs of danger, he suddenly heard the sound of a gunshot. Pain seared through his leg as a bullet pierced his flesh, but almost immediately, his powerful healing abilities kicked in, swiftly mending the wound and pushing the bullet out of his body.

Instinctively turning toward the source of the shot, Adam's gaze fell upon a woman in her late thirties or early forties. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, framing a face filled with fear and uncertainty. Her voluptuous body was clad in a tailored suit jacket and matching pants or skirt in somber hues, she seemed out of place in the chaos of the cemetery. A utility belt adorned her waist, carrying extra magazines for her pistol.

Reacting with the primal rage that surged within him, harnessing the pain from his wound to fuel his speed. With lightning-fast agility, he lunged toward the woman, pinning her to the ground before she could react.

However, as he looked into her terrified eyes, Adam hesitated. She didn't exude the familiar scent of a Garou, nor did she possess the aura of a supernatural creature. Instead, she appeared to be nothing more than a frightened human, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

Seeing her dropped gun nearby, Adam slowly withdrew, reverting to his Homid form as he did so. As the transformation completed, he observed the woman's face, now a mixture of fear and confusion.

"Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you." Adam reassured her, then he thought about his words for a moment. "Well, I was going to, but I changed my mind. Unless you try to shoot me again."

"W-what are you?" the woman stammered, her voice trembling with fear.

"I'm a werewolf." Adam replied matter-of-factly. "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm telling you the truth."

"Did you... do that to my men?" she asked, her gaze flicking toward the lifeless bodies scattered around them.

"No, but I think one of my kind did." Adam explained. "And by the way, you don't smell like a ghoul. How are those guys your men if you aren't a ghoul?"

"We're not the undead. We fought against them." the woman clarified, her composure slowly returning.

"No ghouls aren't undead." Adam explained. "Ghouls drink vampire blood and get stronger, they even are immortal as long as they keep drinking whenever they feel the need for it. They have vampire powers but are still humans. They also don't take orders from normal humans like you."

"Those motherfuckers." she cursed, realization dawning in her eyes. "They said they were here to help us. Those fuckers must be the ones who betrayed us."

"I don't think so." Adam countered. "This smells like one of my kind, not literally I just see a lot of connections. The ghouls were probably here to make sure the zombies didn't escape."

"Why would vampires want that?" the woman questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Vampires are more complicated than what you feds think they are." Adam replied cryptically.

"Feds? I didn't say anything about that." the woman protested.

"You didn't have to. It was obvious." Adam said.

"You're just a kid." the woman remarked, finally regaining her bearings. Then, noticing Adam's nudity, she averted her eyes. "You're a very naked child. Can you wear something, please? This is weird."

"I'd rather be ready to shift if get in trouble." Adam replied with a shrug, his attention already turning back to the task at hand.

"I should call this in." the woman said, her voice tinged with concern. "If the dead rise again, I'm not sure if we can take all of them out by ourselves."

"I think you should." Adam replied calmly. "Don't get me wrong, I can handle them on my own, but I'd rather find the anchor of this spell instead of fight some walking corpses."

"Anchor? What anchor?" the woman asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "I know a little about magic, but I've never heard of an anchor in my life. Is it something important?"

"Most spells need an anchor." Adam explained patiently. "Usually when a spell summons something it needs an anchor be it a person, a ritual circle or sometimes even a place or item."

"Do you know how to find it?" the woman inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"I can sense the spell, so I might be able to track it down." Adam replied confidently.

"Do you mind if I follow you for now? I can provide backup." the woman offered.

"Sure, that would be good." Adam agreed, nodding in approval.

"I'm Agent Miranda Reyes." the woman introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you." Adam said with a nod.

With that settled, Adam began to shift into his Lupus form. Once transformed, he started to sniff the air, searching for the source of the necromantic power.

"Great, now we can't communicate." Miranda remarked dryly as she trailed behind Adam.

Ignoring her comment, Adam pressed on, his senses attuned to the faint traces of dark magic that lingered in the air. As they moved through the cemetery, they encountered groups of zombies, which Miranda dispatched with precise shots from her gun.

Eventually, Adam led them to a secluded area of the graveyard where the source of the power awaited. There, amidst the old tombstones, he discovered a set of hieroglyphics etched into one of the stones. Adam studied hieroglyphics and for some reason the knowledge seemed very easy to him all his life.

Reading the ancient symbols, Adam's heart sank as he deciphered their meaning: "Awaken the Slumbering Shadows, Return the Lost Spirits."

Taking a deep breath, Adam shifted into his Glabro form, his muscles bulging with newfound strength. He raised his hand to strike at the writing, but a protective spell prevented him from doing so.

Undeterred, Adam closed his eyes and focused his senses, delving into the essence of the magic that surrounded him. As Adam's hand made contact with the writing, a surge of dark energy coursed through him, causing his consciousness to unravel and drift away from the physical realm. His mind was thrust into the murky depths of a land that he had only heard of in tales whispered by his mother.

The transition was disorienting, the world around him shifting and warping into a twisted reflection of reality. Shadows danced and flickered, and the air was thick with a palpable sense of dread. The world around him looked close to the skinland but there were many differences. Here, the structures were grotesque and decayed, crafted from the very essence of death itself. Spectral figures drifted through the mist, their forms flickering with ethereal light. It was a realm of darkness and despair, where the boundaries between life and death blurred and twisted. This was the shadowlands.

He recalled his mother's descriptions of the Shadowlands, the realm of the dead, where spirits lingered in a state of eternal unrest. Here, the boundaries between the living and the dead blurred and the veil between worlds grew thin.

He found himself surrounded by a myriad of spectral chains stretching out from the ominous inscription before him. With a newfound clarity that was given to him because of this realm, he effortlessly understood the hieroglyphics. The veil of language didn't exit here.

Hundreds of translucent chains snaked their way through the ether, drawing wraiths toward the source of the dark magic. Adam's resolve hardened as he unleash flurry of slashes on the tombstone with the words written on it. Despite his attempts to destroy the inscription, Adam's efforts proved futile against the protective barrier surrounding it. Frustration gnawed at him, but he refused to give up.

Seeing physical attack wasn't working, he decided to fight it with magic. Adam crafted a circle of will around the tombstone with his claws, infusing it with his determination to break the spell's hold. As he focused his Gnosis, preparing to summon flames to purify the tainted site, a powerful presence made itself known within the depths of his consciousness.

In his mind, a powerful voice echoed, startling yet exhilarating. "Well met, lost brother." the voice proclaimed. "The spell you are trying to destroy is strong. Allow me to use the circle of will you have created to assist in its destruction."

"Who is speaking?" Curious and unafraid, Adam asked.

In response, a towering figure materialized before him, a giant Garou in Crinos form standing Standing at a towering five meters(16,5ft) height and adorned in the regal attire of ancient Egypt he bore the likeness of the divine jackal-headed Anubis.

"I am Anubis, Master of Secrets." the majestic figure declared. "Your willingness to aid the innocent dead has earned you the title of sibling in my eyes."

Adam's sheepish grin betrayed his excitement at the encounter as he replied, "What I am doing might be a little selfish but I would be honored to help."

"Your reasons matters not." Anubis explained. "You are helping my cause and you show no fear in the face of danger, that is enough for me to honor you with the title of a brother. Now am I allowed to use your circle of will to destroy this mark? Destroying this spell needs the power of living and dead, that circle is of the living but I need your permission."

"Sure, I would be happy for the help." Adam said.

With Adam's consent, Anubis summoned dark flames with a mastery that left Adam in awe. The flames consumed the chains, releasing the wraiths from their spectral bonds. The flames were powerful enough that they melted the tombstone that they engulfed both in skinlands and the shadowland.

"That was amazing, can you teach me that?" Adam said after the flames disappeared.

"You are an interesting man." Anubis remarked, his voice carrying the weight of ages past. "When I meet any Garou, they would bow, grovel, cower, or some Wyrm-tainted ones even dared to attack me. But you, you ask for power. What gives you the right to learn my powers?"

Adam's response came with the casual confidence. "Well, I've heard stuff like this happening all over L.A. I figured, why not take matters into my own hands, you know? And hey, I'm guessing you're not a fan of whatever's causing this mess either, right? So, why not let me handle it?"

Anubis regarded him with a solemn gaze, his demeanor unwavering. "That is not a sufficient reason." he replied firmly. "All Garou must prove themselves worthy to earn gifts. While the honor of siblinghood is indeed great, it alone is not enough for me to impart my secrets."

Adam's conviction remained steadfast as he challenged the notion. "I respectfully disagree." he asserted. "Not all paths to wisdom and power require the same trials."

"Are you referring to your exploits in tricking spirits?" Anubis's response was measured and calm.

Adam's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he admitted, "Um, yeah, you caught me there. Didn't realize word had spread about that."

"Indeed, I am aware." Anubis confirmed. "Many powerful spirits are aware of your actions. While some may harbor resentment, most recognize the wisdom inherent in your methods. Wisdom, honor, and glory are the true measures of worthiness."

"So, what am I worthy of?" Adam asked.

"Enough for a gift." Anubis declared. "I shall bestow upon you the Visions of Duat. While others may require the use of Gnosis to perceive such sights, my gift to you shall be of greater potency, it will awaken the blood of the silent strider you have. With some focus, you will be able to see the wraiths and the shadowlands. But remember, tread cautiously, for the depths of the shadowlands hold mysteries beyond reckoning."

"Thank you, great Anubis." Adam exclaimed excitedly. "I am Adam by the way, I thought you might want to know."

"Well met, Adam." Anubis said.

With a gesture of his hands and a breath imbued with ancient power, Anubis infused Adam with strength and knowledge while also sending Adam back to the skindlands. As Adam came back into the skinlands, his eyes fell on Miranda, she was standing in the middle of fallen zombies. Despite her visibly shaken state, she appeared physically unharmed. Some of the lifeless bodies showed signs of bullet wounds, while others lay still, devoid of any apparent injuries.

Glancing back at the tombstone, Adam noted its melted state, devoid of the power that once emanated from its cursed script. The gravity of the situation settling upon him, he slowly transitioned from his Glabro form to his Homid form, making his way toward Miranda to make sure she was fine.

"You're still in one piece?" Adam asked.

"What the hell just happened?" Miranda demanded. "You touched that damn stone and vanished. Then all those zombies that were down started to mend and rise again. And then... all the dead, even the skeletons, began to stir. I shot a couple but there were too many so I took off running since you were nowhere to be found and they seemed fixated on that cursed writing. I was afraid it was going to be the end for me because a bunch of the swarmed me but they all collapsed when the stone started to melt. And now you've came back out of thin air."

"I met Anubis," Adam explained calmly. "But right now, that's not important. The dead won't be causing any trouble around here for a while."

"Now's the time to report this mess." Miranda said.

"Before we do that, there's something I need to do." Adam interjected, his expression serious.

"What do you mean?" Miranda inquired.

"I've picked up a few hypnotic techniques," Adam revealed. "I can't risk you remembering my face. I'm not particularly skilled at it, so I can only alter your memory with your permission of course."

Miranda's anger flared at the notion. "I won't be a pawn in your mind games." she retorted fiercely.

"It's that or your life." Adam countered. "I'm sorry, but my family's safety comes first. The choice is yours."

"Will it hurt?" Miranda asked.

"No, it won't." Adam reassured her, his tone gentle.

"Just get it over with," Miranda demanded tersely.

"Please, look into my eyes." Adam requested softly as he locked his gaze with hers.

Adam focused his will, delving into Miranda's mind with practiced determination. Her formidable mental defenses was bolstered by her strong will. However, aided by Miranda's own fear, fatigue, and reluctant consent, he managed to penetrate her defenses, albeit with considerable effort.

Navigating through the labyrinth of Miranda's memories, Adam altered his own face in each recollection, ensuring that no trace of his true appearance remained. With deft precision, he sifted through her thoughts, extracting vital information about other locations where the dead were rising.

As Adam withdrew from Miranda's mind, leaving her momentarily dazed and disoriented, he wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to run away. Hastily retracing his steps, he made his way to the spot where he had left his clothing and belongings. Quickly redressing himself, he prepared to leave the cemetery behind.

With a sense of urgency propelling him forward, Adam scaled the wall of the cemetery and vanished into the night.