text: do you want to serve me, why are you helping? You can transform into anything. Surely you could probably say go to the Delantium Kingdom and pose as an aristocrat's wife and live a safe pampered life without much concern. Why risk serving a vampire for not much reward and the threat of violence done upon you? In fact why were you serving Green Eye for that matter? I can't imagine that was much better."
  "Well as I pointed out, Green Eye's magic gem had a little to do with my servitude to him. As for you, well you already bit me. You made it quite clear you could find me anywhere now so what's the point in me even leaving? I might as well try to make the best of this situation. Also, on top of being afraid of you, you're using your vampire powers on me, compelling me to stay."
  "What? I've done no such thing actually. And if I were, you wouldn't even be aware of it. Well at least I don't think you would be."
  "Maybe you're not aware that you're doing it. You are very alluring you know, and I have no idea why because you're even more... abrasive than Green Eye was."
  
  You're wondering if Kayla's on to something, maybe your powers are getting stronger and you have a more "commanding aura" now. You know you always felt it a bit with Isabella and it didn't really ever go away until she made you independent.
  
  You also wondering if you're starting to miss Isabella in some way. Not really on the physical side of things since you got the village girls for that (Though they aren't as good as Isabella of course) but just in other ways. For example, while you definitely don't want a return to someone being above you, you are starting to find it a bit boring talking with people that are quaking in fear all the time. You didn't think you would, but then you didn't think you'd ever be in this position either.
  
  "So, you're saying it's ALL on me huh? Somehow I'm really not buying it. I feel like you have some sort of agenda." You say.
  "Well, I suppose if you feel that way then I guess your choice is clear. Could you please try to not make it painful?" Kayla asks a bit meekly.
  "Will you stop with that already? I'm not going to kill you... well at least not today. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you probably weren't rooting for me to get killed though you probably wouldn't have been that broken up about it if I had. Also I'm intrigued enough by you that I'd like to keep you around. It's somewhat more interesting to speak with someone who isn't completely fearful of me every once in awhile."
  "I think I've made it quite clear on many occasions that I am quite afraid of you."
  "Eh, yeah, but it's not the same as the rest of the mortals out there. Not to mention I don't think you're as afraid as you claim you are. But that's okay, since we seem to be on the same page with future goals, speaking of which we should start talking about those."
  "As you wish, you're in charge after all."
  
  You and Kayla begin you discuss your plans.
  > time passes...
  Year 34
  
  Maldito; the village of ghouls and your ruling capital.
  
  Though you aren't exactly sure now if what you're ruling is worth all that much.
  
  Green Eye was terrorizing the villages in the area long before you showed up and was still terrorizing them for you when you arrived. It wasn't hard to intimidate them into submission.
  
  If you killing their former tormenter wasn't enough to do it, then you being a vampire certain was. Kayla posing as "you" in the daytime, was just overkill.
  
  Maldito was eventually ghoulified completely, so if a village steps out of line, you've got an "army" to threaten them with. Though once again, it's overkill considering you could wipe out every one of the villages yourself. The ghouls are just if you need something done in the daytime instead.
  
  Ghouls really are the most loathsome creatures you've ever had to be around. Everything about them disgusts you. Their habits, their sycophantic behavior, their smell, everything. They're lower than humans and you're surrounded by them, but at least their loyalty is certain and they watch during the day.
  
  This is what "ruling" does to you, makes you paranoid. Even with as scared as you have the rest of the villages, you still believe that one of them is going to get brave enough to actually do something about it.
  
  Maybe to some degree you're even hoping one will just to break up the monotony.
  
  Still it's all yours and you don't answer to anyone. You aren't sure if these are really the "best times" though. Something is missing. You spend a lot of time trying to remember the "good old days" but really when were those?
  
  Certainly wasn't when you were enslaved by Ral, though you suppose your brief time with Lisa was the exception. You still wonder what happened to her, hopefully she's doing better than you, if she's still alive.
  
  Wasn't when you had to spend time as a magically altered freak either. Once again, your only bright spot with that was Heather trying to help you. You've been thinking about your brief reunion with her in some of these moments of introspection and you still don't feel bad about it, but you do think that she probably didn't deserve it. Just bad timing.
  
  When you were with Isabella? Well there were a lot of good times you'll admit, but if things were truly that good, you wouldn't have left. You can only imagine if Isabella saw you now, she'd probably just be shaking her head at you. She'd probably even be right to do so. She always did know better, but then you were meant to be free and that's always been your problem.
  
  Even now, ruling all these worthless peasants, you still feel like a prisoner. You haven't really been free since your days as a petty thief with your sister.
  
  Now THOSE were the good old days. You wish you could go back to those times if only for a little while.
  
  As you sit in your own underground lair (Now properly built) you sense someone living approaching. It's Kayla. You still don't know her real name, but dops don't really have them anyway so you just continue calling her by a dead tavern keeper's wife. She doesn't even use that form anymore and just stays in her "natural" one when around Moldito. She only uses human forms (or yours) outside the village.
  
  You're still a little mystified of her exact intentions. She's been with you for a couple years now and hasn't shown any sign of leaving or betrayal. You can't imagine that she's entirely happy with her lot. She's not a ghoul and she isn't a fearful ignorant human either. You're in charge and YOU'RE not entirely happy, so why would she be?
  
  She has said in the past that she's happy serving you, but really have a hard time believing that. You're a tyrannical dick. Unless, she's in love with you, but that would be weird. You actually have been actively not using any sort of suggestive powers on her just to see how she acts. Besides, she's never given that indication though again, maybe you're just bad at reading the signs of a doppelganger.
  
  "Um, am I disturbing you sir?" Kayla asks.
  "Not really, just living up to the stereotype of the brooding vampire I suppose. What's going on?" you respond.
  "Uh, dunno how to tell you this, so I might as well come out and say it, but I was doing my usual routine in one of the villages and apparently they've caught the attention of hunters."
  "Hunters?"
  "Yes, apparently a group of them were investigating the village of Ulig recently. Now I don't know if anyone said anything outright, but due to all of their suspicious behavior they might have inadvertently told the hunters something anyway. Many of the villagers I overheard seemed to be worried that they did that accidently."
  "Well how many of these hunters were there and where are they?"
  "They're currently in Sibogri, but they may be coming here soon. I dunno exactly how many there are, but apparently a sizable group. Ten maybe? Maybe more. I feel like this really can't be a coincidence and someone must have told someone about all this."
  "Well obviously, if there are that many. I don't even think there were that many when they were in Holgard and that was a huge city. I wouldn't be surprised if there is so many due to them hearing rumors of a day walking vampire."
  "Apologies sir."
  "What're you apologizing for?"
  "The daytime thing I know was mainly my idea and I was just apologizing to you for bringing this upon you."
  "Are you kidding? This is probably the most excitement I've had in awhile. Besides, I imagine that hunters would have come around here eventually."
  "So you're not mad or concerned about all this?"
  "Not really, it's actually a motivator."
  "Oh? Well what were you planning on doing then?"
  
  Well that is the question isn't it?
  
  The obvious thing to do would be to fight, but given how you've been feeling lately, you could probably very well just leave. Where would you go? You have no idea, but it's an option.
  
  In the meantime... 
  
  "Kayla. Why are you still here?" you suddenly ask.
  "I'll leave sir. Apologies." Kayla responds.
  "No, not that! I mean why are you still here?"
  "Is... this a test?"
  "No! Look, what I'm asking and there is no right or wrong answer here, is why are you still here? I mean are you in love with me or something similar?"
  "Um... well... not exactly... it's complicated. Can we talk about something else?"
  "Besides the hunter thing, this day is becoming the most interesting one in years. I should have asked this question years ago. What's so complicated? You either are or you aren't."
  
  Kayla is silent for a moment due to the awkward spot you've put her in. You can see her trying to come up with an answer and after some thought... 
  
  "Nope, it's still not simple, but I can try to explain if that will please you." Kayla answers.
  "Well better than nothing I guess. Go ahead." You answer.
  "As a doppelganger, we do tend towards those with power. Eventually we tend to imprint upon them unless someone better comes along. I suppose that explains why I was with Green Eye for so long. However, I was also planning to kill him eventually and take his place. That's sort of what we do."
  "So... you're basically admitting to me, that you were planning on killing me all along."
  "Well... it's complicated."
  "So you've said. Look, you just admitted that you were planning to kill me. I think it would be in your best interest to explain in more detail."
  "I honestly haven't really been planning to kill you though. I mean I assumed I would at some point, but considering I'm already impersonating you most of the time and reaping some of power thrill directly when I'm doing it, the feeling isn't as strong. Muted in fact."
  "And that's it?"
  "There's also the fact that you created a bunch of ghouls that I wouldn't be able to control since they know I'm not really you. Not to mention I don't think I'd be able to kill you, so I'm sort of stuck and now it's gotten to the point where I'm comfortable in my position and don't really feel a desire to leave. I mean I could, but I'd probably feel really lost for a while as I tried to find a suitable role equal in status to this one and that's not the greatest feeling for a doppelganger."
  
  Well more enlightenment on the race of doppelgangers, but you notice she didn't entirely answer the original question. Doesn't matter you suppose, you're going to do what you want anyway, but there is one more important question.
  
  "So you're saying that if I fight these hunters, you aren't going to suddenly switch sides again?" you ask.
  "Not likely sir. Hunter types tend to be nomadic and have no real hierarchy. Also they are constantly seeking out vampires and the like to kill. I already know enough about vampires that I don't want to be hunting them on a regular basis. I'm with you sir." Kayla responds.
  
  Well, that's something you guess.
  
  "We're going to fight." You say.
  "Never expected anything different sir. So how are we going to go about this?" Kayla asks.
  "We need to gather a bit more information. If they aren't staying in the villages themselves, then that means they must be making camp in the forest. Maybe send Stinky... no wait not her. Send Lurky, to scout the nearby forest area. He tends to be quieter and smells less pungent than most of the other ghouls. I want you to keep doing your usual routine of blending in at the other villages. Try to gather as much information as possible. As for me, I'm going to start building up the defenses on this place. Probably should have done it years ago."
  "You think you have time to build a wall?"
  "No, but I once was a rogue and I knew how to set traps. Didn't do it often, but I knew how. If the hunters storm this place, it isn't just ghouls and me; they're going to have to deal with. The only thing I'll need to worry about are the ghouls accidently setting them off, but I think I can probably make them understand where they can go and where they can't. Let the rest of them know though, that I'm going to address them all as soon as it goes dark, so they all better be around."
  
  Kayla nods and goes to carry out your orders. Meanwhile you work on a few things until it's dark so you can address your ghouls.
  
  You address what's going on to your ghouls who of course all listen intently. They're actually eager to go fight right now, but you tell them there will be time for that soon. You tell them to start digging holes and placing sharpened sticks, spikes and then camouflaging them.
  
  Not all the houses are used in the village anymore since the ghouls seem to all like just staying outside and only really enter the bigger village hall if the sun especially bothers them. You deicide to trap some of these abandoned homes since you imagine the hunters will be meticulous enough to search every home.
  
  You spend the next few days doing this and then eventually you get a report from Kayla who has some interesting news.
  
  "Wait, so they're torturing people?" you say.
  "Yeah and they apparently got people doing this in several villages. They aren't letting anyone go either." Kayla says.
  "How many of these assholes are there?"
  "I still don't have an exact number, but it's looking like more than ten. Maybe fifty and I don't think this is just hunters, the Church of Joachim is getting mentioned a lot, along with terms like purging and cleansing."
  "Shit, this is a fucking crusade. How the hell did we not see something this large coming?"
  "Well we are a bit isolated even compared to the other villages, but I apologize sir, I probably should have noticed something sooner."
  "It's done now. Lurky hasn't even come back yet, so who knows if he's still alive. This is starting to look like more trouble than it's worth. What the hell am I really fight for anyway?"
  
  Kayla doesn't respond, she just shifts a bit nervously at your rise in temper.
  
  You think about your options, and just flat out leaving seems like a perfectly valid one.
  > fight
  It may not be much and you may not entirely be satisfied with it, but this is your home for now and if you're ever going to leave it, it's going to be on your own terms, it won't be due to getting run off.
  
  You calm down a bit and gather your thoughts.
  
  "Okay, if these are also Joachimites that we're also dealing with, they're also going to have holy men and possibly even a little magic. We can't really afford to just wait for them to come to us, because I've run into these fanatics back in Holgard and they will absolutely kill every villagers if they think it's Joachim's will."
  "I don't know much about the human gods, and nothing about Joachim, but from what I heard, I don't doubt it." Kayla says.
  "Well generally the Joachimites are supposed to be pacifists, but occasionally you get a very militant sect and they can make a follower of Karn look like pussies by comparison. In any case, this could work in our favor. If they're torturing the hell out of the villagers, those same villagers are probably looking for their undead savior. Meaning me. Now I could go at night, but I'd like to keep up the illusion of walking around in the day. So I want you to take about twenty ghouls including Stinky and go wipe out any hunters or Joachimites at Ulig for starters. I also want you to encourage the villagers to start resisting the fanatics a lot better than they have been doing obviously."
  
  Kayla doesn't look confident in your orders.
  
  "Um... "
  "Problem?" you ask.
  "While the ghouls leave me be and some of them will even listen to me if I say the orders come from you, but you're asking me to herd twenty of them into battle. I just don't think they're going to listen to me like that."
  "Just say I'm giving the order or hell, bring Stinky and I'll tell her and she can relay the rest... "
  "It's uh, not that sir. I... um... the ghouls don't like me. Never have. I think they believe I shouldn't be so close to you when none of them get to be. I mean if it wasn't for you, I'm fairly certain they'd attack me."
  "Of course they would, but I'm here, so they won't."
  "That still doesn't mean they're going to be totally obedient to me. Even when I'm in your form they don't like it. I believe they find my scent offensive."
  "Wait, they're offended by YOUR smell? I don't think I've ever detected any sort of scent from you. It's as bland as your near featureless appearance."
  "Maybe that's problem. I'd probably have more success if I smelled more like you."
  "So what are you getting at exactly? You saying you need to rub up against me or something?"
  "Well I was suggesting something a little more than that. If we could be physically intimate, I believe I could adequately copy your scent and commanding presence... "
  
  You've practically got an army of religious fanatic vampire killers beating down your door and Kayla wants your dick. You'd laugh if this situation wasn't so serious... actually you laugh anyway.
  
  "Are you seriously telling me you want to have sex with me right now?" you say.
  "I know it seems like a weird time given all that's going on, but it really would help with the task you've assigned to me." Kayla responds.
  "I don't see...fuck it. If it's going to help, let's get to it. However, you're going to have to change first. I mean maybe you're a beauty right now to other doppys, but you're just not doing it for me in your natural form."
  "Understandable. Um, is there any particular form you would like?"
  "I dunno, surprise me? Wait, on second thought, don't surprise me."
  "I think I know of a form that will please you. I've heard you describe her enough to me that I think I can copy her."
  "Wait, who are you... oh."
  
  And before your eyes, you see Kayla transform into the image of Isabella, well ALMOST the image of her. She's not a perfect match since she's only working by your description and one major thing that's standing out is the eyes. Her eyes are still those blank white orbs.
  
  "Well? Does this work?" Kayla asks a bit hopefully.
  "I suppose it'll have to, because we don't have time for you to get it perfect. Well let's get this done. Now is there anything I should know about? I mean you aren't going to start transforming into a gray blob or something in the middle of this are you?"
  "Not unless you want me too sir."
  "Good and no I don't. Okay, come over here."
  
  Kayla comes over to you and the first thing she does is kiss you on the lips and puts her arms around you. It's weird, for multiple reasons. Least of which is because you're embracing something that looks like "Isabella" but obviously isn't her. While you appreciate the attempt at illusion, those white orb eyes are destroying it.
  
  "Hold on, stop." You say.
  "Did I do something wrong?" Kayla asks.
  "Not as such, but... you're going to have to turn around and bend over for this."
  "Oh, okay."
  
  During the act, Kayla takes every opportunity to insist that you rub her body and press up against her as much as possible as she wants to get your full "essence." While she said she wasn't going to turn into a gray blob during this, she starts having a very "squishy" feeling to you. It's almost like her body is partially melding on to yours.
  
  She tells you to hold her tighter and goes on about how good this all feels to her. You're a little reluctant to do so since it isn't like Kayla's a vampire and you could easily break her if you used all your strength, but then again, you partially feel like you're fucking water. And that of course makes you concerned that she's going to envelope you or something.
  
  None of that happens though, and after an "interesting" time with Kayla, you feel even weirder about it all and there's a sticky gray coating on most of your body.
  
  "Ew." You quietly say to yourself.
  "That was wonderful! I've never known someone so intimately like that! I could really feel all your power! It was all so intoxicating! Mmmm." Kayla says and continues to rub up against you and putting your arms around her body.
  
  She's in complete ecstasy and while you're not surprised due to your magnificent sexual prowess, there's shit that needs to be done.
  
  "Look, you think you can take lead the ghouls now?" you say and start separating yourself from her. (Which isn't easy since you seem to be literally sticking to her)
  "Yes, I think it should be easier now."
  "Good, get going. I want this done."
  "Very well sir."
  
  Kayla looks a little disappointed that you're already shoving her out the door, but you had no plans on making this a permanent "thing" anyway. It's going to be a little weird now though.
  
  However, you don't want low morale so... 
  
  "Kayla, just remember if it starts looking bad, make a strategic retreat. I can always make more ghouls, but I can't replace you."
  "Why thank you sir! And I will, but hopefully it won't come to that." Kayla responds with a smile before transforming into you and leaving.
  
  Well, now things are going to be even weirder, but you'll worry about that later.
  
  All you can do now is wait and hope that the attack is successful.
  
  As it gets dark, you start to grow impatient and begin to suspect the worst, but Kayla returns. Not many ghouls follow her, but she's back. She knows how much you hate interacting with "yourself" so she transforms back into her natural form.
  
  "You're back, I was just about to go to Ulig myself. I trust it was a success?" You say.
  "It was, though as you can see, there were many casualties. Most of the ghouls I took with me died, including Stinky. A lot of the villagers were also massacred as well, but I believe they are more determined to fight against the fanatics after my speech to them." Kayla says.
  "Okay, it's the start. I'm going to head to Yilbov. It's the next closest village to us and hopefully they don't know what's gone on in Ulig yet, but I trust you let nobody escape."
  "No, none of them fled in the first place. They fought to the death."
  "Good. That's exactly what I'm going to give them."
  "Wait, don't you want anyone to go with you?"
  "No, I'm going to do this myself and stealthy because they're probably going to be even more alert for trouble. Better if I go alone rather than having ghouls tipping my hand. It's been awhile since I've done it this way, so it'll be fun for me."
  "As you wish sir. Just be careful. The hunters and Joachimites we encountered were well prepared. Silver shot, silver weapons, even bombs."
  "Not surprised but... "
  
  Just as you're about to complete your sentence, you see a ghoul running towards you. It's Lurky. He looks severely wounded.
  
  "Master! Master!" he shouts.
  "Lurky? Thought you might be dead. What the hell happened to you?" You answer.
  "I almost was! Caught and tortured! There are many many hunters and those crazy worshippers in the forest! A large camp!"
  "How many?"
  "Lots! Well... none now."
  "Wait, you telling me that YOU killed them all?"
  "No! I didn't even kill one! Had help! Someone like you!"
  "Someone like me? Wait... another vampire?"
  
  Before you even put the pieces together, a familiar figure arrives and gets all the ghouls attention in town. It isn't due to her naked body though, it's because this is a woman of great power and dominance.
  
  "Sir... is that... " Kayla asks.
  "Yes, that's her and if she's here, it can't be good."
  
  Isabella has arrived and judging by the look of distain on her face, she's not in the best of moods.
  
  She throws several ghouls out of her way and tells them to back off. They comply, but the fact they're all in awe of her and ignoring you completely is telling of how much power she's currently displaying. Even Kayla looks a bit entranced by her.
  
  Isabella approaches you and you just stand there like prey.
  
  Fortunately she just slaps the hell out of you. You take it since you don't have much choice and nobody is rushing to help you either.
  
  You rub your face and address Isabella.
  
  "Hello Isabella, you're looking as lovely as ... "
  "Don't fucking flatter me, I know how good I look! Ugh... this place... its crawling with ghouls. I don't know how you can stand the filth or the smell. I feel dirty just standing here. I understand you need humans to kick around, but I thought I taught you better than to associate with ghouls. Have you REALLY looked at the company you're keeping?"
  "Yes, I'm well aware Isabella."
  "Are you? Because I think if you thought about it, you'd realize that hanging around with humans, ghouls, and... shit... I don't even know what you're supposed to be." Isabella says temporary distracted by Kayla.
  "I'm a doppelganger. Heard much about you. Pleasure to meet you at last." Kayla says with a little bow.
  
  Isabella turns back to you.
  
  "Well, at least you have someone around here with a little class I guess."
  "Isabella, what are you even doing here? I thought you never wanted to see me again." You ask.
  "And I would have been glad to oblige. However, your actions here had consequences. Severe ones. Did you really think that you could just conquer a bunch of villages and it NOT cause any attention? My home is ruined thanks to you."
  "Wait, what?"
  "I suppose its more fool me for not paying more attention to your actions, I just didn't expect you to stir up a fucking crusade. The large group of Joachimites and hunters marched through Dert and burned the entire village. The poor dumb bastards never even knew there was a vampire living nearby."
  "They destroyed Dert?"
  "Yes, and by the time I found out about it, the crusade had already moved on towards your area. I might have known sooner, but I had already stocked up on villagers previously and had food for a while. In any case, my reliable food source was destroyed and I went to hunt the assholes who did it. Eventually I caught up with them and found your minion getting tortured. After killing most of them with only one or two managing to get away, I turned my attention to him. Of course your loyal minion told me everything that he didn't tell his captors for obvious reasons, however I sort of suspected you were the cause of all this anyway. I warned you and you didn't listen. You never listen... "
  
  And you feel like you're in the crypt again... 
  
  Still, as usual she's sort of right. Doesn't mean you like it though.
  
  "Okay, I get it. So I take it you're here to help?" you say.
  "Help? Well that is an interesting dilemma. If you weren't involved, I'd probably finish off the rest of these fanatics and hunters myself and be on my way, but considering that you are involved, I'm tempted to just take off and leave you to deal with the rest of the situation. I've probably killed enough of them to qualify as revenge and it's not going to change the fact that I need to find a new place to live since my livestock has all been killed." Isabella says.
  "Can't you just go to Holgard or prey upon travellers nearby?"
  "Yes, I suppose I could, but ugh... that's not ideal. Then again neither is looking for a new home. In any case, I'm still not convinced on helping you."
  
  "Um... Miss... Isabella? If I may... " Kayla says.
  "Actually under normal circumstances, you may not, however since I'm more willing to listen to a complete stranger right now rather than my ex, you might as well dare to address me. Say what you have to doppelganger." Isabella remarks.
  "I... we... would be most grateful for your help. While you may have eliminated a great camp in the forest, there are still many enemies currently occupying the villages in the nearby area and as you said, one or two from the camp you destroyed got away. I can only imagine they are already on their way to warn their fellows which means they will be more prepared. I think we would be able to handle this situation much easier with your superior skills assuming you wish to help us, oh great mistress of the night."
  
  Isabella cocks her head to the side listening to Kayla trying to appeal to her sense of vanity.
  
  "Where did you find this one? It's good at this. It's respectful without being excessively annoying like a ghoul or quaking in fear like a human, and it almost comes off as sincere. It may even be sincere. However, I'm not actually interested in hearing your minions beg on your behalf. I'd rather hear YOU do it."
  "What for? I mean you either care enough about your revenge or you don't. I mean I was planning on taking care of this myself before you showed up anyway... "
  
  Kayla suddenly goes over to you.
  
  "Sir, I really think we should take her help. There are an awful lot of hunters still alive and we would probably lose less humans and ghouls with your ex helping us. It will just be better in the long run."
  > ask Isabella for help
  It would be the pragmatic thing to do. Isabella is a lot more powerful than you are and at the very least, it'll make all of this go a lot easier and quicker. You put up with Isabella's superior attitude for years, you can put up with it for this small moment.
  
  Also there is a small part... well a little more than small actually, that misses her.
  
  "Isabella, and I do mean this sincerely, I would like your assistance on this task. I fucked up, and should have thought about consequences of trying to carve out some sort of empire of sorts. Especially when I don't have much help to begin with. I got drunk with power and overly confident about everything. So again, if it will appease you, I'm begging for your aid." You say.
  
  Isabella looks at you as you try to look as humble as possible to her.
  
  "Nice. Not as convincing as your doppelganger though." Isabella remarks.
  "What? I'm being sincere! I really do want your help!"
  "Yes, I know you do and I even know you mean it, but my concern is, are you actually going to LEARN from any of this? I seriously have my doubts about that. Chances are when all this is over, you'll go right back to doing the same thing, perhaps even believing that you'll do it better next time."
  "So, you're not helping."
  "I didn't say that, stop presuming my actions!" Isabella snaps.
  
  There's a pause and then Isabella shakes her head.
  
  "By the gods I'm too sentimental for old flames sometimes... " she says to herself.
  
  "I will help you, but this is the last time! If you decide to continue acting like an idiot after this, you're on your own. Okay, give me the lay of the land so I know exactly where we're attacking."
  
  As soon as Isabella is given a map of the area and told where certain places are specifically, she seems uninterested in the specifics and repeatedly says she'll take care of most of the remaining villages tonight and any remaining ones she'll deal with tomorrow night.
  
  In the meantime you proceed with your own plan of going to Yilbov. Kayla stays behind with the ghouls.
  
  By the time you get to Yilbov, it feels like a very familiar scene. Namely when Green Eye's men were pillaging Maldito, though minus the rape and double the torture and burning alive.
  
  "FOLLOWERS OF THE EVIL SPAWN MUST BE PURGED! THE WILL OF JOACHIM DEMANDS IT! NOW REPENT AND ACCEPT THE MERCY OF JOACHIM BEFORE THE RIGHTEOUS FIRE CLEANSES YOUR FILTHY SOUL!"
  
  Several villagers are tied to stakes and begging for their lives. Some are saying they were forced to serve you, others claim ignorance, and none of it does any good of course. The fanatics are burning some infidels tonight and that's that.
  
  Meanwhile there are several hunters patrolling the village in groups of two. You manage to actually take out four of them before alerting everyone to your presence. It was a good try at least.
  
  "IT'S THE VAMPIRE! KILL IT! KILL IT NOW!" the head zealot shouts and quickly burns the rest of the villagers tied to stakes.
  
  Gunfire, crossbow bolts, and silver throwing knives are all fired or hurled in your direction. It's a bit chaotic with all the villagers running around, but at least some of them are taking hits for you, though perhaps not voluntarily.
  
  You take down several Joachimites, before the head zealot calls forth a beam of light from his hands and aims it at you.
  
  "FEEL JOACHIM'S BURNING LIGHT, DEMON OF THE NIGHT!"
  
  You feel it all right too, and it hurts like hell when it briefly hits your chest. You quickly get a nearby villager to use as a shield, but it doesn't work, you soon smell flesh burning as the beam burns right through the villager.
  
  You get temporary relief by ducking behind a house. The problem lies with the zealot being on a high platform in an open area and his spell seemingly following you without error. You peek behind the corner and see that he's still yelling about killing you all the while his victims are screaming and burning close around him.
  
  While you're pondering your best move to get to him, you get shot in your side by a hunter. His next shot would have been your head had you not been quick enough to dodge. You rush the hunter and break his neck with ease and trying to ignore the pain of the silver now lodged in your body.
  
  "Shit... need to finish this asshole. What this... oh this might work." You say and find a spherical metal object on the body of the hunter. It's a firebomb.
  
  You grab it and the body of the hunter and go to face the zealot again.
  
  "YOU CANNOT HIDE BLOOD LEECH! THE LIGHT WILL ALWAYS FIND YOU!" the zealot says as his light beams hit the body of the hunter.
  
  You smell the burn and it won't be long before it goes through, but you hopefully don't need that long.
  
  You throw the firebomb at the zealot, which misses, but it didn't need to hit him and you weren't aiming at him anyway. You just needed it to hit one of the burning villagers near him.
  
  Before you know it an explosion occurs showering the entire area with wood, flames, and body parts. You continue to use the body as a shield. Last thing you need is a random piece of wood flying into your heart.
  
  After the destruction has died down a bit, the remainder of the Joachimite fanatics clumsily try to bash your head in with silver cudgels. They fail and join the rest of the dead.
  
  And there are certainly a lot of them. This village is in complete ruins. Most of the villagers are dead or hiding, a few though are angry.
  
  "YOU! You brought this upon us all! Even Green Eye was better than this! You've been preying upon all of us and it stops today!" someone shouts and then you feel a silver bolt in your back.
  
  "Agh! Fuck! Ungrateful wretches!" you exclaim and turn your attention to the group of peasants that have grabbed hunter weapons to finish you off.
  
  They have about as much success as they did. Your wrath is swift and brutal. After putting down the minor peasant revolt, you address any villagers still around, but hiding.
  
  "If you still wish to live under my protection, you had best find shelter in the nearby village of Ulig. If not, then I suggest you take to the wilderness now, and forget about this place for the rest of your short lives."
  
  You take your leave of the village and head back home. A little slower than usual due to all the silver in the side of your body. You're going to have to get Kayla to help fish the stuff out.
  
  Eventually you get back home and find that Isabella is already in your lair and speaking with Kayla! They're seemingly having a friendly conversation as well.
  
  "Oh that doesn't surprise me, he's always been like that. I think his parents must have...  oh speaking of which, look who just came back. Sheesh, you look a little worn." Isabella says.
  "Um, welcome back sir! I was just talking with Isabella." Kayla says a bit more nervously.
  "Yes, I've been finding Kayla an excellent conversationalist and it's rare I find those."
  "Hm, while you two were talking I've been getting shot full of silver! I thought you were going to help!" you exclaim.
  "I did and I finished."
  "... but... you couldn't have! How many villages did you get to?
  "Three. Five was how many you had right? You already dealt with one and I assume you just dealt with the other. Also, I managed to save most of your little humans in the process. You know what your problem is? You have too many villages to look after. You should just group all your followers in one big place. It'll be easier for you to rule that way, if you're going to insist on doing this."
  
  You have no words you just sit down still in pain. You think Kayla is going to ask if you're okay or go see to you, but instead she continues to hang around Isabella.
  
  "Hey, that's a good idea Isabella. See? Isn't it good you begged her for help?" Kayla says.
  "Best idea ever obviously." You say.
  "Okay I know what the problem is, your girlfriend isn't showing you proper attention, am I right?" Isabella says.
  "What?!" you answer.
  "Um... " Kayla stutters.
  
  Isabella looks at the pair of you back and forth.
  
  "Well that's what you two are right? I mean I've gotten a vibe between the pair of you and I'm usually not wrong on these sorts of things."
  "No!" you say.
  "Um... I suppose it's complicated." Kayla responds.
  "What's so complicated? Not like anyone else is in the middle of this... wait, he's not fucking a ghoul is he? Because that would be... "
  "I'm not fucking a ghoul!"
  "Then what's the problem? You two are fucking right?"
  "No!" you say.
  "Um... it's complicated." Kayla responds again.
  
  Isabella start to laugh a bit and you're getting annoyed. Kayla just remains silent.
  
  "What's so fucking funny?" you exclaim.
  "You of course. We're not together, do you actually think I care what you're fucking now?" Isabella says.
  "That's not the point."
  "Okay, look since I'm not going to get a straight answer from you, I'll ask your girlfriend. Have you two been intimate? Don't worry, I don't care."
  "Well, we have, but it was only once and I sort of talked him into it because it was part of a plan." Kayla answers.
  "Oh this just gets better. Talked him into it huh? I'm sure you didn't need to try very hard."
  "Okay, you've had a good laugh, but I don't see why this is any of your concern." You say.
  
  Isabella stands up and gives you a serious look.
  
  "I'll tell you why, because your actions have had consequences in my life for quite some time. From the moment you showed up at my crypt begging me for Gray Moss for Ral, to the moment when you had that frozen curse and even now you brought a crusade on my doorstep. You've been quite troublesome since we met, but I've been talking with Kayla here and I've found some illumination which I didn't expect to."
  "And that would be?"
  "That would be despite it all, I've always helped you out because I like you. And because I do, I'm going to go back on my word and help you again."
  
  And before your eyes, Isabella spins around and with one quick move she rips Kayla's head off and throws it across the room and into the wall behind you. You stand up as Kayla's headless body leaks gray goo from the body.
  
  "SHIT! What the fuck did you do that for?!" you exclaim.
  "What? You didn't actually love it did you?" Isabella asks.
  "No! But... she was a useful servant!"
  "She was serving nobody but herself. I talked with that one long enough to see that. You can't trust doppys."
  "Thought you said you never saw a doppelganger before."
  "I haven't, or at least not one in its natural form, but in any case I didn't say I didn't know anything about them. You don't live for centuries without reading tomes and books about things every now and then. That doppy had sex with you, meaning it most definitely gathered enough of your presence to take the next step, which was to copy you perfectly, dispose of you and take over."
  "What? No, that can't be right."
  "I'm serious. Have I ever lied to you?"
  "I suppose not, but still... "
  "Hell, it was getting friendly with me when you weren't here. I wouldn't have been surprised if it would have turned into you and then later some where down the road tried to get close to me in your form. Wouldn't have worked of course, I would have known that it wasn't you. Anyway, I should get going, it'll be dawn soon and I'm going to have to dig a hole in the ground. It's so undignified, but it is what it is."
  "You're leaving?"
  "Well, I told you I was just here to help. What, you weren't hoping I killed the doppy because I wanted to get back with you did you?"
  "Would it really be so bad?"
  
  Isabella walks over to you and kisses you.
  
  "No, but we're obviously in different places right now. Tell you what, assuming you survive another century, come find me in the Delantium Kingdom."
  "You not going back home?"
  "No, because you're most likely going to still be fucking around here and possibly drawing attention to yourself again, plus it's not going to be the same with Dert gone. Besides maybe I need a change of scenery anyway. Going to miss the garden, but I can make another one elsewhere, better maybe. Who knows? See you around."
  
  You watch as Isabella walks toward the exit of your lair, but before she leaves she stops.
  
  "Before I go, tell me. When you were intimate with the dop, did she look like me at the time?" Isabella asks.
  "Well...  sort of... but not quite. It's complicated." You answer.
  "I knew it."
  
  Isabella laughs and leaves.
  
  It's been an eventful night and you've got a lot to do tomorrow night, but for now, you're going to get some rest.