Initiation - Part I

Zack Roman was at a lecture for his film class. However he was not as focused on the lecture as he was focused on one of his classmates, the mysterious Connie Nox. Zack had seen Connie walk by a few times in black and red gothic attire. She had long, black hair and red eyes, and Zack thought she looked very interesting. Unfortunately, Zack would never get the chance to talk to her on a usual day.

Right now, Zack was worried about Connie, because just recently news had spread of a lot of people being attacked on campus. The whole town, the town of Gralveston, had a lot of incidents that came and went, but most of the townspeople, Zack included, dismissed them as urban legends or some kind of way to make the town seem more interesting.

This week’s incident in particular involved university students being found, outside in the morning, lying on the ground with bite marks on their necks. Many of the victims were still alive, but significantly drained of energy.

As time passed, eventually the lecture ended and Zack headed out of the lecture hall. On his way back to his place, he was being followed by another one of his classmates, a woman his age named Felicia Barrington, who had brown hair tied in a ponytail and blue eyes. The two of them occasionally talked, but weren’t that close.

“Hey Zack!” said Felicia.

“What’s up, Felicia?” asked Zack.

“You forgot your notebook at the lecture,” said Felicia, before giving Zack his notebook back.

“Thanks, I guess,” said Zack.

Zack had been trying to find a window to meet Connie, but there wasn’t any he knew of, so he decided to talk to one of his confidants, Aurelia Paxford. Aurelia had honey blonde hair and bright turquoise eyes, and she was wearing black tights and a university hoodie. Fortunately for Zack, the two of them shared an extracurricular activity.

Zack entered the gymnasium in his gym clothes and lined up with the rest of the people in the Martial Arts club. This was not a class, so no one was learning any specific martial arts and all the students were in gym clothes. Zack went over to Aurelia, past a lot of people carrying gloves and towels, and asked to spar with her.

“You sure you can keep up with me?” asked Aurelia.

“Yeah,” said Zack.

Both Zack and Aurelia started sparring. Aurelia was holding the focus pads while Zack showed off his kicks.

“There sure are a lot of people here,” said Zack, as he sparred with Aurelia.

“Yeah, noticed it too,” said Aurelia. “Martial arts must be getting more popular in town.”

“Could be the mysterious attacks,” said Zack. “Makes sense a lot of people on campus would want to improve their self defence.”

“I don’t think those attacks are that big of a deal,” said Aurelia. “Gralveston’s got a lot of urban legends behind it…stories about secret orders defending humanity from the paranormal…those are just stories, though, spread to make the town look like it’s got more than what actually goes on.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” said Zack. “Though these attacks in particular happened near campus.”

Aurelia and Zack switched places, and Zack put on the focus pads. Aurelia then kicked the pad as hard as she could, almost sending the focus pad off of Zack’s arm.

“Damn,” said Zack. “I’d like to hit that hard.”

“It takes a lot of practice and discipline,” said Aurelia.

“Oh, by the way,” said Zack, “I wanted to ask, do you know a girl named Connie Nox?”

“Yes,” said Aurelia, seeming a bit hesitant.

“Great!” responded Zack, almost instantaneously. “She’s in one of my classes, but I never really got the chance to introduce myself. I was wondering if you would help me with that?”

“Listen,” said Aurelia, “I don’t think it would be a good idea to meet her. Her situation is quite…let’s say, complicated.”

“What do you mean?” asked Zack.

“Listen, I can’t tell you the details,” said Aurelia. “Just trust me on this, she’s not someone you’d want to be involved with.”

Just then, Aurelia checked her phone.

“Got another club meeting,” said Aurelia. “See you later, Zack!”

Zack walked back from the gymnasium after changing back to his regular clothes. The sun had set since he was in the Martial Arts club, but then he noticed Connie walking in the distance.

Zack knew he might not get another chance to introduce himself to her properly, so he ran over. However, when he got to the other side of the path, Connie was gone. Zack looked around, but then he heard a scream coming from the bushes. Zack rushed to the bushes and found another college student, who had recently been bitten by something in the neck, just like in those rumours.

Zack went over to check on the student, who was very exhausted and struggled to get up. However, the student had enough energy to point behind Zack.

“Run…” said the student weakly. Zack turned around and got hit by an unseen figure. He then dodged as the unknown figure lunged at him, running to a part of the campus that wasn’t lit up.

Remembering his martial arts practice, Zack tried to assume a fighting stance, but the unknown figure was moving in the shadows. That was when suddenly, a motorcycle drove into view, and the one riding on it was Felicia Barrington. Only this time, she was wearing chain mail over her regular clothes, and carried a greatsword.

Felicia jumped off the motorcycle and tackled the unknown figure to the ground. Before Zack could figure out what was happening, the figure pushed Felicia back and crawled into the woods.

Felicia helped up the victim of this unknown attacker, which is when she began to stare directly at Zack.

“Did you see who did this?” asked Felicia.

“No,” said Zack, “but Felicia, what’s going on?”

“Can’t explain,” said Felicia. “Gotta get this one to the clinic.” Felicia carried the student onto her motorcycle and took off towards the front gate of the university.

The next day, Zack was in another lecture for film class, and he had his eyes on Connie. This time, however, he was more interested in knowing if Connie had anything to do with what he witnessed. However, he decided to focus on the classmate sitting nearer to him, that being Felicia.

Zack went up to Felicia as she was packing her laptop.

“Oh, hi Zack!” said Felicia.

“We need to talk about last night,” said Zack.

“What last night?” asked Felicia.

“You know,” said Zack. “When you showed up looking like a knight on a motorcycle?”

“Shh, not here,” said Felicia. “Let’s go somewhere with less people!”

“Ok,” said Zack, still confused.

Felicia and Zack went to the study hall and entered a private room. Felicia then quickly shut the door and locked it.

“You know I still don’t know what’s going on,” said Zack.

“Alright, I can tell you now,” said Felicia. “I’m part of this group called the Order of the Scarlet Sentinel. We’ve been protecting Galveston from monsters for centuries.”

“Hold on,” said Zack. “I’ve heard stories about mysterious events in town…they really are caused by monsters?”

“That’s right,” said Felicia. “Our order has been keeping the peace in this town. I’m not the only one fighting them, though…and other than us, there’s that other monster hunting group with more…aggressive methods.”

“Ok,” said Zack. “Have you been secretly keeping an eye on me, in case I have hidden magic powers?”

“No,” said Felicia. “I am a college student too, and even if you did know magic, you’re still average.”

“Well, I want to know what’s going on,” said Zack. “Can I tag along with you in your next mission?”

“Absolutely not,” said Felicia. “It’s too dangerous!”

“Wait!” said Zack. “You told me about your secret club already. At least let me see what it’s like!”

“Fine,” said Felicia. “I’ll ask Lucille if it’s ok. But I’m not putting a civilian like you in danger.”

Much later, Felicia took Zack to a small house in the university right next to some ruins of an old chapel. Not a lot of people were walking by this house when the two of them showed up.

“After you,” said Felicia.

“How do I know this isn’t a trap?” asked Zack.

“Didn’t you check the window?” asked Felicia. Zack noticed that the house had a stained glass window on it. The stained glass was red and depicted a knight standing guard in front of some apple trees in the background.

“Oh, ok,” said Zack.

Felicia led Zack inside the house, which had a lot of antique furniture and bookshelves filled with large tomes. Sitting at a desk was a woman with platinum blonde hair and black eyes, wearing a black frilly dress with white accents. A stuffed rabbit doll was on the desk facing her.

“Who’s this?” asked the woman.

“This is the guy I told you about, Lucille,” said Felicia.

“Oh, ok,” said Lucille. She got up from her seat and stared at Zack.

“Hi,” said Zack.

“Let’s be clear,” said Lucille. “You will not join.” She then went back to her desk and started writing some notes.

“Hey, what’s your deal?” asked Zack. Felicia then moved him aside.

“That’s Lucille Nero, another one of our members,” said Felicia. “Anyway, this is a secret order, and you being here technically breaks that code, you know?”

“Zack Roman,” said Lucille. “Felicia told me you witnessed the attacker.”

“Yes I did,” said Zack.

“Then you were lucky to survive,” said Lucille. “Based on our current findings, the culprit might be a vampire.”

“What do you mean, vampire?” asked Zack. “Those really exist?”

“Of course they exist, you idiot,” said Lucille. “Now tell me, did you see anything when you encountered the monster?”

“Well, it was too dark to see anything,” said Zack, “but I did see someone…she can’t be the culprit, though.”

“Why not?” asked Lucille.

“I’m supposed to talk to her someday!” said Zack.

“That’s not a good enough reason to hide her name,” said Lucille. She then grabbed Zack by the forehead and glared at him with a blank expression on her face, her eyes seeming to obscure all light.

“Connie Nox,” said Lucille. “She’s in your film class, isn’t she, Felicia?”

“Yeah,” said Felicia. “She does look like a vampire.”

“Well, you better take her down,” said Lucille. “I’m waiting for your new sword to come. It’s infused with magic.”

“Ok,” said Felicia.

Felicia walked Zack out of the building.

“Sorry about Lucille,” said Felicia. “Her bloodline is cursed, and that’s all she told me.”

“What’s going to happen when you catch Connie?” asked Zack.

“That’s something me and Lucille will figure out,” said Felicia.

“Are you two the only ones in your monster hunting club?” asked Zack.

“No,” said Felicia. “There’s a demolitionist, a poisoner, and I think someone else said she wants to join, but she hasn’t shown up yet.”

“Alright,” said Zack. “Good luck catching your vampire.”

The next time Zack had film class, he noticed after the lecture that Connie had approached one of the students, a guy whose name, Zack recalled, was Paul Batten. If Connie really was the culprit, then Paul was probably in danger.

Zack rushed over and approached Paul.

“Hey Paul,” said Zack. “What’s your next class?”

“Y’know, I have to go to the library,” said Paul.

“Ok,” said Zack. He and Paul walked away from Connie. Then the two of them hasted to an empty hall.

“So what do you want, Zack?” asked Paul.

“I came to warn you,” said Zack. “Connie might be looking to attack you!”

“Really?” said Paul. “What makes you say that?”

“Well,” said Zack, “this might sound weird, but I think she might be a vampire who’s draining people’s blood.”

“Funny that you mention that,” said Paul.

“What do you mean?” asked Zack.

“The real culprit is standing in front of you!” said Paul, who pushed Zack down. Paul then transformed into a giant humanoid bat monster.

“What’s the meaning of this?” said Zack.

“I was once just an average university student,” said Paul. “Until one day, when I received this power…now, I will live on in infamy as the Gralveston University Vampire!”

Paul swooped towards Zack and tackled him. The two of them crashed through a window and landed outside. Paul then tried to bite Zack’s neck and drain his blood, but Zack wrestled back with all the strength he had.

Just then, Connie came running over and she kicked Paul off of Zack. She then offered a hand to him.

Zack took Connie’s hand and let himself get pulled up, but then Connie pushed him back.

“Damnit, Zack!” said Connie. “I almost had this guy caught, but you ruined my mission!”

“You know my name?” said Zack.

“Yeah, of course I know your name,” said Connie. “I hear it during attendance in film class.”

“Are you in the Order of the Scarlet Sentinel?” asked Zack.

“You know about them?” said Connie. “Yes, I transferred here to help them investigate threats like this… but I can’t find their base!”

“I know where it is,” said Zack.

“How?” said Connie. “It’s supposed to be secret, and clearly you’re not a member!”

Just then, Paul got up and pushed Connie away with a sonic blast. Connie seemed to drop something. Zack ran over to check on her.

“You good?” asked Zack.

“Yeah,” said Connie. “Looks like I need to use that thing.” She reached into her pockets but they were empty. Then she saw what she was looking for. It looked like an antique gothic red pen, and it had landed near Paul.

“That pen over there,” said Connie. “I need it!” Zack rushed over to get the pen. Before he could give it to Connie, though, Paul took off into the skies and flew down. Now he was standing in between Zack and Connie.

“You’ve got nowhere to run,” said Paul.

“Well,” said Zack, “I really wanted to meet you, Connie…I just didn’t think it would happen like this.”

Just then, the pen started to glow red. Felicia Barrington then showed up with a brand new sword in hand when she noticed Zack holding the glowing pen.

“Wait, Zack, don’t!” said Felicia. “If you’re not ready, that power will kill you!”

“What power?” said Zack.

“That pen will inject you with the strength to fight monsters,” said Connie. “But that girl is right, you shouldn’t use it!”

“You said inject, right?” said Zack. He then poked himself in the arm with the pen. Just then, a red wispy aura began to emanate from the puncture mark, and he collapsed to his knees as something flowed through him. Then his eyes turned red, and he got back up, now with a newfound surge of energy.

Zack charged at Paul, who launched himself off the ground. However, Zack leapt up and caught up to Paul, before slamming him back onto the ground with a piledriver. Zack then blocked Paul’s attacks and rolled out of the way when Paul tried to hit him with a sonic blast.

“No way,” said Connie. “He actually did it.”

“Excuse me, but aren’t we classmates?” asked Felicia.

“Yeah, we never met,” said Connie. “I’m Connie, and I’m guessing you’re in the Order too?”

“That’s right!” said Felicia. “I’m Felicia Barrington…yes, I’m part of that lineage.”

It was still hard for Zack to deal enough damage with punches and kicks, so Felicia decided to give her new sword over to him. She went over to her motorbike and tossed Zack the sword. When Zack caught it, the blade glowed red.

Zack took the sword and delivered a series of slashes to Paul in his giant vampire bat form. Felicia and Connie watched the fight from just a safe distance.

“Should I go help him?” asked Felicia, who pulled out a blue pen from her jacket pocket.

“He’s got it covered, I think,” said Connie.

Zack delivered a clear cut to Paul’s wings, leaving him stunned and grounded. He then took a few steps back and pressed a button on the sword to signal the finisher.

“Take this!” said Zack. “Red Slash!”

Zack swung the sword, which glowed with red light. Sparks of red lightning crackled as the blade made contact with Paul for just a split second, and Paul collapsed to the ground. That wasn’t all, though. A small talisman burst out from Paul’s back as he reverted from a vampire bat back to human form.

Felicia picked up the talisman off the ground and put it in a plastic sandwich bag while Connie looked down at the unconscious Paul, focused on his neck. However she only wanted to check his pulse.

“He’s alive,” said Connie.”

“Alright,” said Felicia. “Glad we caught the culprit before they did.”

“Who?” asked Zack.

Just then, a female knight in bright, white and gold cybernetic armour with orange accents came walking into view. The knight wore a helmet with a black visor that obscured her face. She was holding a sword with a blade that glowed orange, which looked similar to the sword Zack was holding. Zack reverted back to normal, so he didn’t have the red energy anymore, and the blade wasn’t glowing either.

“It’s the Purifiers,” said Felicia. “They work for the Order of the Alabaster Guardians.”

“I’ve heard about them,” said Connie.

“You’re too late,” said Felicia. “This job’s ours!”

“Fine,” said the knight. “You were faster than me this day, but remember, I’m not the only Purifier in town.”

The knight then noticed Zack.

“And you,” said the knight. “This is not a field you want to be involved in. Go and live your life. Hunters like us will protect you.”

The knight then used her sword to drop a beam of light down from the sky. The light flashed brightly for a moment, and when it stopped, the knight was gone.

“So, Zack,” said Felicia. “You might have to come with us to the base.”

“Why?” asked Zack.

“That power you used is supposed to only be compatible with me,” said Connie. “No one else should be able to use my power…given that I’m a vampire.”

“You’re a vampire too?” said Zack, surprised.

“Yes,” said Connie. “I won’t hurt you, though…as a member of the Order of the Scarlet Sentinel, I took an oath to uphold the balance between the realms of humans and the supernatural.”

“So you’re the new member,” said Felicia. “Come, I will show you where our base is!”

Meanwhile, in a tower on campus, a well-dressed man in a black suit was sipping tea. He had a lot of rings on his fingers with gemstones on them.

A black-haired woman with white highlights and brown eyes, dressed in ornate black robes with white accents, rushed into the room.

“Sir Blackstone!” said the woman. “Didn’t you hear the news? The supernatural incidents have spread to campus!”

“The Purifiers and the Order are dealing with them,” said the well-dressed man, whose last name was Blackstone. “They do not concern me…not yet.”

Meanwhile, the knight with the orange sword had returned to the base of the Purifiers, which was still an unknown location in town. She took her helmet off and looked in the mirror with her turquoise eyes as she brushed her honey blonde hair. The knight was also a student at Gralveston University, a student by the name of Aurelia Paxford.

“Looks like we’ll be seeing each other more,” said Aurelia. “I hope you make the right choice, Zack Roman…because I don’t want us to be enemies.”