text: Considering that Lisa is supposed to be a well trained assassin that knew what you were before you even met her, seems like if she was going to do any real damage, she would have at least loaded her pistol with silver shot or something similar.
  
  You're going to chalk it up to an accident for now, besides you've already got someone right in front of you trying to kill you.
  
  Your attacker in front of you attempts to stab you in the face while you're still hurt, but you dodge, grab his wrist and make him stab himself in the stomach while breaking his arm at the same time.
  
  Standing up again, you sense another person nearby and sure enough they once again appear right in front of you.
  
  "Get out of the way!" you hear Lisa shout and you hear several more shots fired off. Seems like Lisa has herself one of those fancy repeating pistols.
  
  This time however you avoid getting hit, but dodging to the right while your attacker is hit twice in the chest.
  
  "Shit!" you hear Lisa shout and another Fel assassin materializes in front of her. She's not quick enough and you see her fall to the ground when the assassin shoots her with crossbow.
  
  You're about to run over to help, but another assassin with a shock of white hair appears and throws a lit firebomb in Lisa's direction before running off.
  
  You jump to catch it and throw it to the left, and it ends up going right through a window of the Poisoned Blade Inn.
  
  "Well... so much for diplomacy... " you say and run back to avoid the upcoming blast. Lisa is currently struggling with her attacker, but by the time you get the both of them, the bomb finally goes off.
  
  The impact of the blast knocks you down and the three of you are rolling on the ground on top of one another. At some point in the chaos you feel a blade in your ribs from the person who is on your back. Since this person isn't very heavy and you can feel the tits on your back, you're assuming this person is a woman.
  
  For Lisa's sake, you hope that this is a female EC assassin... 
  
  You smash your head as hard as you can backwards into the assassin's face. It's enough for her to lose her grip. You notice that he other figure crawling from underneath you is indeed Lisa, so happily you know she didn't just accidently wound you again.
  
  The female assassin tries blink away or whatever it is they do, but you catch her arm just as she turns herself invisible. Well not invisible to you though. You pull the blade out that she shoved in your rib and shove it into her ear, then you drop her.
  
  While all this is going on, a few EC members have been running out of their now fiery hang out screaming and burning. Lisa is leaning up against a nearby wall looking down at the bolt in her thigh.
  
  "What the hell happened?" she asks.
  "Well after you shot me in the back, it all became pretty chaotic." You answer.
  "I'm sorry about that... shit... I need to take this... " Lisa says and takes out a vial of something and swallows the contents, and then pulls out the bolt.
  "You alright?"
  "Yeah, come on, we gotta get that bastard... the Watch is probably coming anyway."
  "Wait, what bastard?"
  "Mantis, of course. He probably got away through a trapdoor to the sewers, come on there should be a sewer entrance around here. Maybe we can still track him."
  
  Lisa starts limping away as fast as she can, but stumbles.
  
  "Shit... that poisoned bolt is still fucking me up... I'll be alright. I just... "
  "No you won't. Here." You say and just pick Lisa up over your shoulder and get out of the immediate area before you have to massacre the Holgard Watch.
  
  After ducking into alley a couple blocks away from the chaos, you finally put Lisa down who is looking slightly better. While you don't think she set you up, given all that's happened you are getting the impression that Lisa has not told you everything.
  
  "Alright Lisa, out courtesy for what we once had, you got ONE chance to explain yourself." You say.
  "Or what... (ugh) you gonna drink me dry?" Lisa says wincing at the pain of her wound and unconcerned about your tone.
  
  You pick Lisa up by her shoulders and your more monstrous threatening face becomes visible. She tries her best to not look scared, but you can sense the fear.
  
  "You need to drop the tough girl act, right now. Because I've done a hell of a lot worse than kill an old girlfriend since the last time you saw me." You say.
  "Oh yeah? Well maybe you'd be doing me a favor if you did. At least it would be you then."
  
  You can see the desperation now in her eyes and it's enough to calm you down.
  
  Well you guess not all of the "human" has left you.
  
  "Lisa, just tell me what the hell is going on already, because I'm getting the impression that I'm not the one that needs to worry about a contract on my head." You say.
  
  Lisa keeps it together and tells you the story.
  
  The contract is actually on her head, specifically Mantis put it on her a few years ago, or at least set it up. She mentions he's been a thorn in her side shortly after she joined the ECS. At first he would constantly hit on her when she was stationed in Holgard.
  
  Then when she got transferred to the Delantium Kingdom to become a better trained assassin, she thought she was done with him, but eventually he was also in the DK for awhile making upwardly mobile moves of his own. For whatever reason he continued to harass her and trying to make things harder for her.
  
  He eventually returned to Holgard when another member, Rook, was promoted. Mantis took over the ECS in this city and now had direct ties to Fel Temple as well. With all this extra influence and power, he set things in motion to set her up on some job that resulted in the death of another high ranking ECS member.
  
  Since then, she's been on the ECS hit list. She knows it was Mantis though that was behind it all and she fully intends on killing him.
  
  You take all this in and ask one question.
  
  "Okay, so where did I come in on all this?" you ask.
  "You didn't. Not initially anyway. You might have missed me, but I actually was in Dert for a brief period of time. I was sort of hiding, pondering my next move, along with making peace with my father since I didn't exactly leave that village on good terms. It's funny; when I got there I actually missed how boring it all was. At least I didn't have a crime syndicate trying to kill me when I lived there. Didn't know there was a vampire living in the graveyard nearby though."
  "Wait, you saw me? I'm usually so careful."
  "You were careful, but you're also probably used to the people in Dert not wandering near there at night. I was actually there lost in thought about my own situation and that's when I saw someone skulking out one of the tombs. It was actually a little unnerving since while I've experienced some out of the ordinary shit in my life, undead was not one of them. I couldn't quite make out your face at first, but for a very brief moment I saw it in moonlight and the resemblance was unmistakable. I couldn't believe it. I mean I thought you were dead, but not like this!"
  
  Lisa holds on to her side and pauses for a moment before continuing.
  
  "So I followed you since you seemed to have purpose about what you were doing. You're very quick of course so I probably caught up to you in Holgard just as you were getting ready to leave it. From there I got a good look at you and knew there was no mistaking who you were."
  "So wait, why didn't you contact me then?"
  "Because I saw you bite some hooker and drink her dry, that's why! I sort of figured that it might not be the best idea to confront you. I didn't even follow you back to the Dert cemetery, I just stayed in Holgard since I figured I needed to get on with my revenge. That was a couple months ago."
  "Seems like you should have gotten on with it before now."
  "Well I still had to do some reconnaissance. Get myself prepared and all that other shit."
  "Seems like it would be very dangerous being here in the manticore's den and all."
  "Actually it seemed like it was easier. Mantis may have security up the ass, but he tends to keep it all around himself. Sort of makes other parts of the city under less watch by his people."
  "Yeah, but still seems like something you'd want to do quick and get the hell out as soon as possible."
  "Unfortunately, there was no easy way to do it. If I tried what we just did, I would have gotten cut down easily and Mantis himself is a Fel worshipper or at least he pays enough lip service that he has powers of his own. He's never alone either in the rare moments he leaves his place. I couldn't reliably ask for any help on this, but then I randomly noticed you enter the city again. So I followed you again and every other time you came here since despite how stealthy you are, you tend to follow a routine. Always saw you go into that plant nursery and tonight... well I thought I'd risk getting your help."
  "Well okay, but why didn't you just tell me that? Why all the subterfuge?"
  "Wasn't sure if it was going to work at all first. Second, I got the impression that maybe you'd be more willing to help if YOU were in trouble rather than me. Third, I've relied on subterfuge so much in life now, that it just comes naturally."
  "I suppose I understand, but this really would have been easier had you just told me. I mean I would have helped if you had just asked flat out."
  "Truly? Even though you have a special vampire lady in your life?"
  "How do you know I have a special vampire lady?"
  "You mentioned you only knew one other vampire and that SHE was reclusive. I'm willing to bet she's the one that also made you. I'm sure it's an interesting story."
  "It is. She really helped me out and in time it became more."
  "Hmm, I'm not looking for a rekindling or anything, but is it possible that you could... "
  "Ah... no. I mean trust me, I would if I could since I think it would make shit a whole lot easier for you, but yeah, I can't transform anyone into a vampire. Not old enough yet. Best I can do is ghoul and trust me, you definitely don't want that."
  "I see. Well figured I'd ask, shit... I've spent so much time resting, Mantis is probably long gone by now."
  "Would he have left the city?"
  "No, but he's probably at one of his many safehouses or even the Fel Temple. And even with your help, I realize I'm in no condition to assault any of these places. I'm going to have to heal up and try again. It's going to be difficult staying low now that I've made my presence known. Look, I appreciate the help even though I tricked you into it, but this really isn't your concern. You have your own concerns and our paths split long ago. You are under no obligation to help me any further."
  > leave Lisa to deal with this
  Maybe if Lisa had been upfront with you it would be different, but you really don't like being lied to and given that Lisa is telling you that you don't need to help her and she's got this, you don't feel exactly obligated.
  
  "Okay, if you say you got this then I'll take my leave. Just be careful all right and good luck." you say.
  "I will, and it was good to see you again... I... I wish things had been different." Lisa says with a mildly sad tone in her voice.
  "Yeah, me too sometimes."
  
  You leave Lisa behind in the alley and make your way as quickly as you can out of Holgard. You're ready to be done with this night.
  
  When you get home, Isabella immediately notices you look a little battle worn.
  
  "You run into trouble dear?" Isabella asks.
  "Ran into an old... acquaintance. It was a mess. It's settled though." You answer not really wishing to go much into it, but prepared to explain if you have to.
  
  Isabella looks at you for a moment.
  
  "Okay. Did you at least get my supplies?"
  "Yes, I have them right here." You say handing over your pack to her.
  
  And that's the type of relationship you have with Isabella. She trusts you. If you say it got taken care of, then it's taken care of.
  
  You avoid Holgard for a while. While you don't think you're in any danger, the last thing you need is to run into some other old face causing shit for you. It would be just your luck that you'd run into Tych again.
  
  Months pass and you eventually go to Holgard again to pick up some things for Isabella. Not that you're doing much mingling or listening to rumors, but you know enough that the Ebony Claw Syndicate is still firmly in control of the underworld here so you guess Lisa didn't exactly bring them down, but then she was only trying to kill one specific person.
  
  You have no idea about this Mantis though, if he's dead, alive, or what. Same for Lisa. In any case you hope she got her revenge at least.
  
  Year 35
  
  You wake up to the sounds of several feet coming the stairs. You can't tell how many, but you already are getting the push by Isabella who is awake and ready for a fight.
  
  "Get up! We're being attacked!" she shouts.
  
  You get up and you're already hearing shouting from the foyer.
  
  "Fucking hunters! I'll water my garden with their blood for intruding on my home!" Isabella shouts and is already gone to meet the invaders. Screams soon follow.
  
  You head out to join the fight and there is a whole lot more light than usual thanks to all the torches. After striking down a few of them, you notice an ebony claw tattoo on some of them.
  
  These aren't hunters.
  
  "Shit! There's two of them! Why didn't someone check this?!" one of them shouts.
  
  Multiple gunshots are fired at you and Isabella and in these narrow catacombs, even as quick as you are, you're still catching a few bullets. Unfortunately, the Ebony Claw has prepared well and loaded their firearms with silver shot. It hurts like hell, but you fight through the pain and take out the closest fucker with a gun in his hand.
  
  You feel a blade sinking into your back, which feels like a burning piece of steel, though it's probably silver again. You turn around and find yourself face to cowl with one of those Fel assassins that teleported behind you. You get another silver blade in your gut before you twist his head backwards.
  
  Severely wounded you quicken your pace to where Isabella is. She's managed to push them all the way back to the foyer all by herself. Blood and bodies are everywhere. You're damn glad she's on your side.
  
  You reach the foyer just in time to see several round metal objects bounce down the stairs and on the floor. Isabella is finishing off two more assassins and hasn't seen the cluster of firebombs yet.
  
  You immediately pull her away and throw her into the nearby corridor just as the bombs are exploding. You try to shield Isabella, and catch some of the blast.
  
  Your flesh burns from your bones, your bones crack and break, some of your internal organs melt and it feels like your whole body has been dunked in acid. You scream out something unnatural, but it isn't for long because everything goes black.
  
  You're out and you don't know for how long.
  
  "Beloved! You there? Can you hear me?" you hear, but your vision is still black.
  "Mufh hungh... gh... " is all you can utter before you're out again.
  
  Time passes... 
  
  You open you eyes and find your vision is severely impaired. You have no depth perception and the eye that does work is very blurry. You still feel like your body is on fire, but you can't scream out. You must be laying on a table or something because you are elevated. Still, you can make out an outline of a woman standing near someone in a chair nearby.
  
  "I SWEAR! I SWEAR TO FEL AND ALL THE GODS, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE! PLEASE! GRANT ME MERCY!"
  
  Your hearing works at least.
  
  You struggle to sit up, but it's no use. You don't have the energy and collapse again.
  
  More time passes... 
  
  You open your eyes again. Still no depth perception, but your vision is a little clearer. You can finally tell where you're at. You're still at home, and lying on one of the many slabs in the crypt.
  
  Your body hurts less, but you're still not feeling good. You try to sit up again and that's when you realize you're a bloody mess.
  
  Both of your legs are missing, or at least missing enough that you wouldn't be able to walk. Attempting to reach out only results in your right arm being able to do so since your left is a skeletal stump at the elbow.
  
  Speaking of skeletal, you can sense that part of your spine is exposed to the world and what lies inside you isn't fairing much better. You can see your blackened heart beating through your ribcage.
  
  While you're an undead monster, that doesn't mean that you don't find all this a bit alarming.
  
  "Oh shit... shit... shit... fuck... fuck!" you start to say with an increased tone in your voice.
  
  Isabella soon comes running in. You notice she's in relatively good condition though one side of her face is scarred and parts of her body are also burned.
  
  "You're up! What's wrong?" Isabella asks.
  "What's wrong? Look at me! I... I can't fucking live like this! Please just put me out of my fucking misery!" you say and you're almost close to tears.
  
  Isabella goes over to sooth you as you continue to panic.
  
  "Shhhh, it's okay. This is the first time you've been maimed severely. Yeah, I panicked a bit too when it first happened to me centuries ago and I didn't even have anyone with me to help either. We're more resilient than you think. You'll heal up. It's gonna take a long time, but you WILL be in one piece again eventually."
  "I... I... I will?"
  "Well yeah. Just takes blood. How do you think I got you this healed up in the first place? I'm been using the blood of the assholes that attacked us, the Dert citizens and my own for days trying to heal you and myself up. We're going to have to be moving on soon though, as much as I hate it, but it's just not ideal anymore. The Ebony Claw will undoubtedly regroup and send more of their fools to try to kill us."
  "Wait, did you kill them all?"
  "I probably would have had it not been daylight. I only managed to run down three of them before the sunlight was burning my fine undead ass to a crisp. Still, got quite a bit of information out of them. Didn't know you were wanted by them for helping an old girlfriend of yours a year ago. Guessing that's the thing you thought was taken care of? Looks like it wasn't."
  
  You're at a loss for words.
  
  "I... I fucked up." You finally utter.
  "You most certainly did fuck up. I hope she was worth the poke and cuddle, because after they caught and tortured the shit out of her before they killed her that's how they found out about where you lived. Fortunately she didn't know anything about me. I'm guessing you never told her." Isabella responds.
  "Shit. I DID tell her about you! I mean not in so many words, but she guessed I had a special vampire lady in my life as she put it. And I most certainly did not have sex with her! I swear!"
  
  You give a brief rundown of what exactly happened that night you met Lisa. Isabella listens intently. Now you're worried that Isabella isn't going to believe you and is keeping you alive to make your existence horrible.
  
  "Calm down, I believe you. Though I'd almost say it probably would've been better if you'd fucked her. At least you would have gotten something out of all this. Also might have been better if you had helped her. She might not have blabbed about this place. Apparently they were planning on ambushing you in Holgard, but since I haven't needed anything from there lately, you haven't been going. So they fell back on attacking directly and have been gearing up to raid this place for the past few months. Well what's done is done now."
  "At the risk of actually pissing you off, I'm curious to as why you aren't angrier."
  "At you? Well, I am pissed at you, but considering you're currently a piece of mutilated meat that's still in pain and has a long way to go before getting back to normal, I think this was your punishment. Honestly my anger is directed towards the bottom feeding mortals that dared attack in the first place. I don't care what sort of connections they have; I'll take down the entire ECS in Holgard and then some just so they remember they picked the wrong vampire to order a hit on. You'll be helping of course."
  
  Nothing like a purpose.
  
  "Well I'd love to, but I'm not exactly able right now."
  "I didn't mean now. We're going to move to a new location. Probably Ral's old home in the meantime. I already checked it out and surprisingly nobody was even squatting there. That will just be temporary though, until you're healed up enough to walk on your own. We'll probably need to wipe out the remainder of Dert in order to get enough blood, but it's not like it's we're going to be living here anymore anyway. After that we're both going to Holgard, and we're going to cause so much mayhem, they'll think there's a new civil war going on."
  "I'm glad you didn't give up on me for this."
  "No, I made a commitment to you, for good or bad times and right now this is bad, but it's nothing we can't get over. Come on, hold on to me, we're heading to our new temporary home... .I'm really going to miss my garden. Oh well, let's go my love."
  
  Isabella turns around and with all your energy you hoist yourself and hang on to her back. It's a little awkward with only one good arm that only has three fingers left wrapped around her, but Isabella's more than strong enough to carry your dead weight.
  
  The pair of you are soon off and running through the moonlight to your new home.
  
  You're down now, but things could definitely be a lot worse. You've got a lot to plan and think about though with this new conflict with the entire ECS though.
  
  Your life as a common rogue might be over, but your "life" as a vampire has only just begun.