Into Vyock Castle

“So, you drop the book off, you get paid, then we can get out of here?” Jake asked as the truck rumbled through Vyock.

“More or less. Why? You sound nervous,” Saphira asked back, a snarky little smile on her lips.

“Dude, this place is like a combination of all the bad old black and white horror movie I’ve ever seen. And I swear to god, there was something in the closet last night!” Jake said, looking out the window at the oppressive, unpleasant architecture of the city.

“Nothing was in the closet, Jake. I checked. Twice,” Kraelin said.

“Besides, I don’t know why you’re so nervous, dude,” Alex said. “You can turn into a big metal sword arm guy.”

“One, we can’t change forms reliably. Two, I ain’t tangling with the boogeyman if I can help it!” Jake said.

“So. Heroes, right Elysia?” Saphira mocked.

“They’re idiots, but they’re my idiots,” Elysia said with a smile.

“Hey, Jake is right. This place looks like it’s gonna suck my blood through the atmosphere,” Alex said. He looked out the window up to Vyock Castle on the hill. “And now we’re going to Dracula’s castle.”

“Who’s Dracula?” Kraelin asked.

“He was a  famous vampire in our world,” Alex said. “Oh, yeah, a vampire is a…”

“We have vampires here, too,” Saphira said.

“Alright, we’re staying in the truck!” Jake said.

“Why are you so nervous?” Elysia asked. “Usually you’re the first to jump into something stupid.”

“Yeah, well…let’s say I’ve got a real bad feeling looking at this place. Tell me it doesn’t have a hidden torture dungeon,” Jake said.

“Count Vyock did have a pretty nasty history from what I remember,” Kraelin said. “He was a warlord. He promised to protect his homeland, but he did so through massive bloodshed and terror.”

“Why do you know so much about ancient psychopaths?” Alex asked.

“I know about warriors,” Kraelin said. “The Vyock Maneuver is a well known battle strategy of knowingly letting an opponent lure you into a trap, causing their defense to fall when they think they’ve won and then springing a second trap of your own on them. In fact, back in…”

“Is he actually getting excited?” Jake asked, laughing a bit.

“What can I say? Battle tactics get me going,” Kraelin said. His friends laughed, a bit nervously. All but Saphira, who kept looking up at the castle. Why did her employer ask her to come here? She knew there was a reason, but try as she could, she couldn’t remember why. It was eating at her as the truck rocked up the side of the mountain towards the looming old home of the hopefully long dead Count Vyock.

They breached the great gates of Vyock Castle, the sides of the gate adored with statues of giant, bat like creatures crouching low and staring at any intruders, acting as silent sentinels.

“You know the spooky feeling you’ve been having?” Alex whispered to Jake.

“Oh yeah,” Jake said.

“Me too,” Elysia said, nodding in agreement.

“Ditto,” Kraelin said.

“Okay, can we all rethink being here if Kraelin of all of us has a bad feeling?” Alex asked.

“No. I need to do this,” Saphira said, putting her mask on. “I’m a Sweeper. I find things. I kill things. And I do my job. If you all want to stay here in the truck, fine.” She got out, confidently moving towards the large castle doors.

“We’re getting out and following her, aren’t we?” Alex asked.

“Yup,” Jake said, getting out.

“We’re the stupidest people to ever walk this damn planet, aren’t we?” Alex asked.

“Oh yeah,” Kraelin said, slamming his door.

“Stick? Stay close to me. I…um…don’t want you to get hurt,” Alex said as he stepped out of the truck. Stick leapt onto his shoulder and clung on tight. Alex pet him a bit too hard as they walked.

Vyock Castle stood tall and imposing, looking much like the gargoyle creatures at the gates but in building form, like a creature waiting to devour them.

“All we need is the…” Alex started. As soon as the words left Alex’s mouth lightning flicked through the air and thunder crashed around them. “Ah. There it is,” Alex said with a sigh.

Saphira got to the large wooden doors and, pausing for a moment, reached out and knocked loudly three times, followed by one knock, followed by two more times.

“You know, all of our Sweeper work has been taking a job and getting the money,” Jake said. Kraelin looked around, his eyes unblinking, taking everything in.

“Some people want…extra work done. Those people aren’t usually the type who go to the bar and collect money. Whatever they want Van Harkov’s journal for, I’m betting it’s not pleasant,” Kraelin said.

“Not to mention Cucuboros,” Elysia said. “Remember, this guy wanted him brought back alive.”

“So…who are the types of people who would ask for a drop off at Count Spooky’s Torture Castle?” Alex asked. Kraelin and Elysia shared a nervous glance between each other.

The doors slowly creaked open, the ancient hinges complaining as the weight of the wood pulled at them. Without hesitation Saphira walked in. With great hesitation the other four followed her in.

The grand foyer of the castle spread out before them, a dark and massive chamber with two wide staircases leading to an upper floor. Great pillars stretched up to the ceiling, and at the top of the staircases they saw a 30 foot tall portrait of the sinister Count Vyock staring down at them as if they were prey animals.

“You know, we’ve had lots of fights. We’ve gone against monsters. Even killed a big one who took over an entire town! We’ll be fine!” Jake said.

“Dude, we got killed once, lucked out when Elysia had an anime power up moment and spent most of our time killing the equivalent of slimes,” Alex said. “If the Ekodyne versions of the Universal monsters come at us, we’re probably screwed!”

“I have faith in us,” Kraelin said.

“Well hooray for you,” Alex said.

“Welcome, friends!” a jolly voice boomed out through the room. A short, round man wearing an expensive looking suit appeared at the top of the grand stairs, leaning over the railing. “And a special welcome to you, Silver. You have Van Harkov’s journal?”

“I do,” Saphira said. “And the money?”

“I will get it to you in a moment. But first, who are your friends here? Such a colorful bunch for a woman who insists on being alone to be traveling around with.” The man’s smile split his face like a crescent moon, his too perfect teeth gleaming in the faint light coming through the tall windows.

“I do not like rich uncle pudgy bags up there,” Alex whispered to Jake, who nodded.

“Major creep vibes from round boy,” he agreed.

“Who I spend my time with isn’t your concern, Pogorshi. My money is,” Saphira said, trying to maintain her sense of control. Pogorshi leaned back and laughed briefly, his jowls jiggling.

“Always on top of your game, aren’t you Silver? Fine. But first, you’ve earned a little bonus for this one. My employer finally wishes to see you in person. If you and your friends would like to come with me…”

“No, we would not,” Saphira said. “I want my…”

“He’ll double your pay if you agree to the meeting,” Pogorshi said, his smile growing ever wider.

Saphira gave a subtle look to Elysia, a near imperceptible head movement if you weren’t as close as they were. She gave her equally as gentle a nod. Yes, the small shift of her head says, the more money we have, the more it would help us on our journey east. Then, equally as subtle, she looked to Kraelin. He tightened his fist, giving a shake of his head so small it was barely anything. No, I don’t trust him. But I trust you.

“Fine. But make it quick. I don’t need a grand tour of this damn castle,” Saphira said. Pogorshi clapped his hands and damn near giggled.

“Delightful! I assure you, after all this time working for us my master is eager to shake your sturdy metal hand!” Pogorshi said, beckoning them up. His smile grew, distorting his pudgy face into a caricature of human kindness.

“This is funny,” Alex said as they all began to climb the stairs.

“Why?” Jake asked.

“Usually it isn’t the pig who leads the people to slaughter,” Alex said grimly.

“Yeah. I’ve got the same feeling. But hey, we’re heroes, right? We’ve got this,” Jake said.

“You trying to convince me or you, bro?” Alex asked. Jake couldn’t bring himself to answer the question.