Marvel: Impregnation System

Chapter 101: Chapter 99: Assault On Dracula



"Are you sure this is the way-" Ricky began, his skepticism evident as he peered into the dimly lit tunnel that stretched before them.

"I've lived here for two hundred years; I'm positive I know the way." Lilith shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm as Ricky raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, a wry smile creeping onto his face.

They stood in the heart of the underground tunnels, a network of passageways forged by rebels during the civil war that had plunged Transylvania into the shadows of Dracula's oppressive rule three decades ago.

The walls were damp, the air thick with the scent of earth and the whispers of history. What struck Ricky was not just the sheer scale of the tunnels but the secrets they held.

Lilith had skillfully concealed her involvement with the rebels, as well as the existence of these vast underground passages.

They were a lifeline for those who resisted Dracula's tyranny, a sanctuary where hopes and plans were whispered in the darkness.

"We're almost at Dracula's castle and then-"

"Wait." Ricky suddenly called out, halting in his tracks as the others followed suit, Lilith turning around with an exasperated expression.

"What?" she asked, irritation lacing her voice as Ricky scratched his head, contemplating his next words.

"Wouldn't it be better to stage a frontal assault rather than sneak into the castle?" Ricky's suggestion hung in the air, met with a chorus of confused expressions, particularly from Rachael, whose brows furrowed in disbelief.

"Trust me, Black Knight, it would be easier to attack him directly-" Lilith started, but Ricky's uncharacteristic idea had already planted a seed of doubt in her mind.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's right." Rachael almost blurted out, the words tumbling forward, leaving both Ricky and Lilith momentarily stunned.

"Really?" Ricky's surprise mirrored the incredulity in Rachael's eyes as he had half-expected her to shoot down the notion, but she nodded firmly.

"Yes, it would be better to mount a full-frontal assault. It could lure out most of Dracula's forces, giving us a chance to engage with minimal interference when we face him directly." Rachael sighed, rubbing her forehead at actually agreeing with Ricky for once.

"Once we draw them out, the minions will be too preoccupied to aid in the real battle." Rachael gave her opinion on the matter, perfectly explaining Ricky's intentions.

Lilith, who had been listening quietly, regarded Rachael with narrowed eyes, weighing the plan's merits.

After a moment, she nodded, her expression shifting from annoyance to cautious agreement. "If that's the case, then follow this tunnel. It leads directly to the front of Dracula's castle." Lilith pointed her black nails in a specific direction, the group exchanged glances, a sense of determination beginning to take root.

They moved down the dark passageway, the walls closing in around them as Lilith lingered at the rear, watching them depart as her mind swirled with unspoken thoughts as she ventured down her own path.

"Let us see if this gamble pans out."

They made their way down the dim tunnel, the air thick with anticipation, until they finally reached the exit.

Asterion stepped forward and easily bulldozed through the crumbling ceiling, clearing the way for the group.

As he emerged into the open air, he hunched over for a moment, stretching his limbs as if shedding the confines of the underground.

Ricky emerged last, his gaze locking onto the formidable castle that loomed before them. Its imposing structure had haunted his thoughts, each stone a reminder of the battle ahead.

With purpose, he advanced, pulling out his necklace and clutching the enchanted flute tightly in his other hand.

Ricky unleashed his magic signature, a brilliant surge of energy that crackled through the air, drawing Dracula's attention.

"DRACULA!" Ricky's voice rang out, echoing across the courtyard.

The impact of his declaration struck like a hammer; everyone behind him facepalmed in unison, the element of surprise evaporating in an instant.

"Ricky, what are you doing-" Rachael hissed, exasperation creeping into her tone.

"I want him to see his impending doom so it's easier to rub it in his face later." Ricky retorted, undeterred.

Ricky watched as Dracula strolled out onto his terrace, an unsettling calmness enveloping the vampire, though his eyes betrayed the simmering rage beneath the surface.

"If it isn't the Black Knight." Dracula drawled, his voice smooth yet menacing.

"Have you come to surrender yourself and your core to me?" Dracula's taunt dripped with

disdain, each word laced with the threat of his overwhelming power.

"No, I've come here to kick your ass!" Ricky shouted, the declaration resonating with determination.

With a swift motion, he crushed the necklace in his hand, the magical vapors escaping like a silvery mist, cascading down to the ground like fallen stars.

As the vapor spread, it swirled around him, amplifying his presence and wrapping him in a cloak of confidence.

The tension thickened in the air, a palpable anticipation hanging between them as the showdown loomed.

Dracula squinted at Ricky's boisterous provocation, his demeanor shifting from amused to

wary.

A small portal flickered open beneath him, and before he could react, figures surged forth, filling the air with an aura of ancient magic.

"So, you've colluded with the witches." Dracula mused, rubbing his chin in mock

contemplation.

As the witches and warlocks took to the sky, their presence was overwhelming.

Each mage wielded a grimoire, the ancient tomes pulsing with arcane energy, swirling spells

ready to be unleashed.

They formed a tapestry of magic in the air, dark clouds swirling ominously around them, establishing dominion over the battlefield.

Chores, riding on the back of an elder's broom, held various potions in his hands, his face set in fierce determination.

This was a defining moment for him; after months of tireless study and practice, he was eager to prove that his hard work hadn't been in vain.

"Hello, Dracula." Agatha called out, her voice sweet but laced with an underlying threat.

She waved casually at the vampire lord, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

But Dracula's eyes narrowed as he assessed her; he understood that she would be a problem, though perhaps not as significant as the others surrounding Ricky.

"Your little parade of misfits may be amusing." Dracula replied, his tone dripping with condescension.

"But that is all this is, you'll find that your magic pales in comparison to my power." Dracula raised his head, the air crackled with tension as he stood tall, his cape billowing like a dark storm cloud behind him.

As the witches and warlocks positioned themselves, their chants began to rise, harmonizing into a haunting melody that filled the air.

"Is this all you've managed to achieve in those three years? You must be joking-" Dracula sneered, his gaze locked onto Ricky, who stood defiantly with a flute in hand.

But before the vampire could finish his taunt, his words faltered as a horrid, otherworldly tune erupted from the instrument.

Disgusting green vapors billowed from the flute, trailing like a serpent before coalescing into

multiple portals behind Ricky.

*BAM*

The stone railing beneath Dracula's grip crumbled to dust as he crushed it in fury, enraged by the sudden appearance of the emerging figures.

Dracula clenched fists shook violently, magic crackling around him, fury emanating from his

very being as he issued a silent command to his army as shadows began to pour from the castle, drawn to the call of their master.

"Oh, Dracula, it is good to see you." Verdelet's voice crackled with delight, stepping through one of the swirling green portals, his eyes glinting with a manic light.

Verdelet spread his arms wide in a mock embrace, a gesture brimming with arrogance as he

joined Ricky's side.

"I'm glad you upheld your end." Verdelet said, giving Ricky a hearty pat on the shoulder as he turned to face the seething Dracula, a wicked grin plastered across his face.

"Dracula." Veredelt continued, his voice dripping with malice.

"I've been preparing my hordes for this moment. I hope you enjoy them to their fullest!"

As he spoke, grotesque abominations began to claw their way out of the green portals, their forms twisted and unnatural, reminiscent of ghouls yet somehow far more horrifying. They shambled forward with an insatiable hunger, their eyes glimmering with a madness that rivaled Verdelet's own.

The scene before them was a grotesque display of chaos and terror as the hideous creatures emerged, a cacophony of shrieks and growls filled the air, drowning out any remnants of confidence Dracula had maintained.

The vampire lord's expression twisted into one of disbelief and fury, his plans for domination suddenly jeopardized by the very beings he had once dismissed.

Dracula's eyes widened as he watched hundreds upon thousands of seasoned ghouls pour

forth from the green portals, their forms grotesque yet powerful, a testament to Verdelet's

twisted artistry.

Dracula realized that if he didn't unleash his entire army, his castle and its inhabitants would be wiped out in a matter of moments.

The tension in the air was palpable as both armies, Verdelet's grotesque creations and Dracula's legion of vampires and newly turned ghouls, stood poised for battle, each side a sea

of hungry eyes and snarling mouths.

Silence slowly enveloped the scene, a heavy blanket of anticipation settling over the battlefield, broken only by the distant rustle of wings as witches and warlocks filled the sky above, their magic crackling in the air.

Ricky stood at the forefront, a sleazy smile stretched across his face, reveling in the chaos

unfolding before him.

The ground beneath him was almost entirely covered by the writhing mass of ghouls, each one a minion ready to unleash havoc.

Across the battlefield, Dracula glared back at him, their eyes locking in a furious stare that

transcended words.

Hatred poured from both of them like venom, the culmination of pain, loss, and suffering

intricately woven into their shared history.

Each had endured countless tribulations that had left deep scars, losses that haunted them

and shaped their very beings.

The air crackled with tension, each combatant keenly aware that the outcome of this clash would determine not just their survival, but their futures as well.

Only one of them could emerge victorious from this brutal confrontation. They both knew it: today would decide who would move forward and who would be left

behind, lost to oblivion.

"ATTACK!" The command echoed across the battlefield as both Ricky and Dracula shouted in unison, their voices like thunderclaps signaling the chaos to come.

Yet, for a moment, both armies surged forward while the commanders stood completely still.

Ricky, planted firmly in place, felt the chaos swirl around him as the hordes clashed all around

him.

He remained a solitary figure amid the tide of warriors, the noise of battle roaring in his ears like a distant storm.

The ground trembled beneath him, each footfall of the advancing ghouls and vampires sending vibrations up through his legs, but his eyes still gazed at Dracula with that confident

smirk.

Dracula remained poised, his hand raised above him, aware of the witches' cunning plan unfolding around him.

With a sudden, decisive motion, he clenched his fist, a gesture that summoned a dark energy

around him.

Though it was perpetually cloudy in his domain, he knew that above those thick layers of gloom lay the sun, a force he could not allow to interfere with his schemes.

'I must stall until nightfall.' Dracula thought grimly, calculating the stakes.

'I cannot afford any mistakes.' Dracula thought, gazing at his barrier, a shimmering shield of

dark magic, would hold until then, but he knew he would have to sacrifice his cannon fodder, unleashing them against Verdelet's hordes to buy precious time.

"FOR NEW SALEM, FOR A NEW PEACE!" Agatha roared, her voice piercing the air and igniting

the spirits of the witches and warlocks around her.

In an instant, they began to move with a fluid grace akin to a tornado, their combined magic weaving a powerful tapestry of energy that curled around Dracula's castle. Chores, brimming with determination, held his contraptions aloft as he rallied his squad.

"ALCHEMY SQUAD, READY THE NIGHTFIRE!" Chores bellowed, gesturing to the members of his team, who sprang into action.

They produced multiple flasks filled with a vibrant orange liquid, dark strands of void black pulsing within, each one a deadly concoction designed to turn the tide of battle.

"DO NOT LET THEM GET CLOSE, KILL THEM ALL!" Dracula commanded his high-ranking

vampires, his voice laced with urgency.

Their magic pulsed in response, an ominous glow radiating from their forms as they prepared to defend their master against the impending onslaught. "NOW!" Chores yelled, hurling his flasks at the oncoming wave of vampiric magic.

The air crackled with energy as the spells, drenched in a sinister red aura, surged forward,

intent on annihilating everything in their path.

But as they met the flasks, an explosive reaction sent shockwaves through the air, igniting the orange liquid in a hellish blaze.

The flames erupted, swirling into a grotesque display of fiery orange, streaked with ominous

black tendrils that rippled like shadows.

Dracula's eyes narrowed, realization dawning too late as the black fire engulfed the spells' trajectory, racing back toward his vampiric minions with a relentless hunger. "RELEASE YOUR SPELLS, DO IT!" Dracula commanded, his voice a desperate roar as he sensed

the tide turning against him.

"SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" The shrill wail echoed as the flames engulfed the middle- class vampires, who struggled to react in time.

They were caught in a devastating trap; unable to counteract the oncoming doom, the inferno

consumed them whole.

The black fire fed on the very essence of their undead magic, burning brighter and hotter with each unfortunate soul it claimed.

Every attempt to subdue the flames, every spell cast in panic, only fueled the blaze further as

the chaotic energy of their desperate magic twisted and expanded, creating a fiery tempest that left nothing but ash in its wake.

Panic rippled through the ranks of Dracula's forces as they witnessed their comrades being

devoured by the ravenous flames.

The middle-class vampires became mere fodder, their unholy existence extinguished in an instant, and their cries of agony were swallowed by the roar of fire. "ATTACK THE SHIELDS! USE CHORES' SQUAD POTIONS AS COVER WHEN NEEDED!" Agatha

ordered decisively, her grimoire flaring with a brilliant purple light that sent waves of

magical energy rippling out across the battlefield.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

The sound of spells detonating against Dracula's barrier echoed through the air, a cacophony

that signaled the ferocity of their assault.

The once-impregnable shield that had protected him for centuries now trembled under the

relentless onslaught of high-level spells, causing the very ground to shake beneath the feet of Dracula's minions.

Dracula's eyes narrowed as he assessed the chaos around him as his army, once a formidable

force, now found itself besieged by not just the relentless ghouls spawned by Verdelet but also the cunning tactics of the witches and warlocks, who had strategically outmaneuvered

him.

Each spell that struck his barrier sent shockwaves through his defenses, and even he hesitated

to retaliate, fully aware that his every move was being scrutinized by an army eager to counter him at a moment's notice.

Desperation clawed at him as he glanced at his cannon fodder, only to witness Verdelet's twisted creations mercilessly consuming them.

The abominations, grotesque in their form and reeking of death, showed no sign of retreat.

They were driven by a singular, horrifying purpose: to tear through the ranks of Dracula's

army with an unyielding ferocity without care for their well being. These mindless monstrosities, morphed into twisted reflections of their former selves, acted without regard for their own survival.

They clawed and bit, ripping through Dracula's minions with savage glee, their grotesque features twisting into a macabre semblance of joy as they wreaked havoc on the battlefield.

Each piercing scream of the fallen only fueled their insatiable hunger, driving them to greater heights of madness.

Ripping and tearing, the ghouls thrived amidst the chaos, their relentless assault striking fear into the hearts of Dracula's sentient cannon fodder.

With every horrific act of violence, they sowed discord and terror, turning once-loyal vampires against one another in a desperate attempt to escape the onslaught. The battlefield became a horrifying spectacle, a true testament to the destructive force of

Verdelet's wraith and the raw power of Agatha's spells.

"Consume the vials!" Dracula ordered, his voice a low, menacing growl that reverberated through the chaos. His nearby vampires hesitated, their eyes darting nervously to him, searching for any other

resolve they so desperately needed to escape the looming fate that showed itself before

them.

But all they found was the fiery wraith flickering in Dracula's gaze, an undeniable testament to the power he wielded.

"Consume. Them. Now!" Dracula roared, the raw fury of his command slicing through the

battlefield like a blade.

The middle-ranking vampires exchanged fearful glances, uncertainty palpable in the air, but one look at their master's furious countenance sent them scrambling for their vials. With trembling hands, they retrieved the small glass containers, their contents swirling with

dark, malevolent energy.

The tension was thick as they stared down at the potions, fear and anticipation intertwining.

One by one, dozens of middle-class vampires lifted the vials to their lips, the dark liquid slipping down their throats.

The effects were immediate and visceral as they fell to their knees, gasping and writhing as the potent elixir coursed through their veins, transforming them in an instant. Black veins pulsed visibly beneath their skin, snaking up their arms and necks, expanding

ominously until they reached their eyes.

The once-familiar irises were swallowed by an unholy red, glowing with a feral hunger that spoke of a deeper, darker power awakened within them.

Dracula watched, satisfaction twisting his lips into a cruel smile as he beheld his newly

empowered minions.

They rose, still on their knees but now with an unsettling strength emanating from them.

The transformation had made them more than just cannon fodder; they were now vessels of his wrath, imbued with a savage thirst for blood and destruction.

*SPALT*

Demonic wings burst forth from the backs of the newly empowered vampires, their forms

cloaked in thick, dark fur that shimmered ominously in the dim light.

They morphed into powerful bat-like creatures, grotesque and fierce, their eyes glinting with

bloodlust.

"Rid the skies of those flies!" Dracula commanded, his voice laced with urgency as he pointed

toward Agatha and her coven.

The middle-class vampires surged forward, propelled by their new forms, their wings

propelling them into the fray like living missiles.

"FALL BACK AND ASSESS-" Agatha shouted, but her orders were drowned out by the chaos.

A wave of blood splattered against her, the thick, warm liquid splashing across her face as a

nearby witch screamed in horror.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The sound of a nearby witches' agony rang out, piercing through the din of battle as one of the monstrous creatures descended upon her, its claws rending flesh with merciless precision, tearing off one of her arms in a gruesome display.

"BASTARDS-" Agatha hissed, fury igniting within her while trying to rush to her fellow witches aide, but it was too late.

*SPLAT*

In an attempt to save their comrade, another witch lunged forward, only to have her body torn

in half by one of the ravenous creatures.

Agatha's focus shifted, her heart pounding as she faced the onslaught of these horrific

abominations.

"DO NOT BE AFRAID! WE CANNOT AFFORD IT; THERE IS ONLY FORWARD!" Agatha roared,

her voice echoing like a war drum.

A brilliant purple aura erupted around her, and her grimoire sprang open, unleashing one

terrifying spell after another, pushing back the horde of horrific vampires. "ASTERION!" Ricky yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos so Dracula could hear him.

"You ready?" Ricky turned toward the white minotaur by his side, determination etched into

his features.

"I suppose it is time to loosen up my bones." Asterion cracked his neck, the sound echoing ominously, and then hefted his massive axe onto his shoulder.

*THUMP*

Stomping his foot onto the ground, the very earth rippled at the force before he charged

forward, his eyes igniting with a deep, crimson glow that matched the fury in his heart. Cannon fodder was thrown into the air as Asterion bulldozed through the ranks of Dracula's minions, a force of nature amidst the carnage, knowing that the only solution to that maddening action was for these mere cannon fodder to part in fear before his relentless strength.

racula's

owl deepened as he watch Asterion storm into the battlefield, recognizing formidable power of the creature he had underestimated.

"Baron Blood."

"Yes Master."

In an instant, Baron Blood appeared at Dracula's side, kneeling before his master with a look

of urgency etched on his face as Dracula's gaze remained fixed on the berserking minotaur,

fury swirling within him.

"Take every single one of the highest-ranking vampires and launch an all-out assault on that

creature." Dracula commanded, his voice a low growl.

"But Master-" Baron Blood started, but the words died on his lips. "NOW!" Dracula roared, unleashing his anger with a wave of dark energy that surged around

him as Baron Blood vanished into thin air, immediately dispatching the order. Within moments, twelve of Dracula's elite vampires materialized in the wake of Asterion's charge, their presence casting an ominous shadow over the battlefield.

They moved with precision, raining down a barrage of magical attacks meant to stop the minotaur in his tracks.

*BOOM*

Uncaring in the face of their attack and with a mighty swing of his axe, Asterion brought the

weapon crashing down against the shimmering barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through

it.

*CRACK* A deep fissure formed in the barrier, eliciting gasps of shock from Dracula and his high-

ranking vampires.

The realization struck them all: they could not allow Asterion to remain unchallenged for a

single moment longer.

Gritting his teeth, Dracula stood on the terrace of his castle, his mind racing as he

contemplated his next move.

He turned to face the interior of his fortress, knowing that Ricky would be reveling in the

chaos unfolding below as Ricky's laughter echoed across the battlefield, a taunt that pricked

at Dracula's pride.

"Ricky this is our chance-"

"Are you still not going to tell me the plan?" Ricky suddenly interrupted her, hsi tone deadNôv(el)B\\jnn

serious unlike his usual uncaring determination. "Ricky, if I tell you, then it might not work. Just trust me and go wild." Rachel urged, her voice steady yet laced with urgency as Ricky considered her words for a moment before shrugging. "Fine, let's go." Ricky turned to Verdelet, who nodded in understanding, already prepared for

the chaos that was about to unfold.

Together, they made their way down into the depths of Dracula's castle, descending the gothic staircase as the entire structure trembled under the weight of the ongoing battle

above.

As they reached the bottom, they halted before two imposing double doors, the air thick with anticipation.

"Wait, hold on." Ricky suddenly summoned his key, the magical artifact glowing in his hand

as he opened his storage space as Rachel scrunched her brows in confusion.

"What are you-" Rachael began, but Ricky interrupted her. "No time to explain, let's go." Ricky didn't elaborate, retrieving the sun pendant, its golden

surface glinting ominously in the dim light.

"H-H-H-How-" Rachel's eyes widened in recognition, her heart racing as she grasped the significance of what Ricky had just pulled from his storage.

"Like I said, it's a long story, I'll probably explain later." Ricky waved her thoughts away,

gazing forward at the looming front.

Rachael nodded resolutely, steeling herself for what was to come and together, they pushed

open the heavy double doors, revealing the sight that awaited them. Dracula sat upon his broken throne, his expression a mix of fury and disbelief as he regarded

the two intruders.

The throne room was dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows that danced along

the walls, highlighting the remnants of his former power.

"For three years." Dracula's head hung low in anger, turning it upwards to the smirking iviosn

fo Ricky.

"For three years I have searched, waited, for the day I get to rip out your core and make you

suffer all the torment you put me through!" Dracula roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls, a deep resonance filled with unbridled rage as Ricky smirked, feigning surprise as he

placed a hand over his chest.

"Ah, you've been thinking about me for three years?" Ricky cocked an eyebrow, pretending to

be touched by the admission, which only served to make the veins in Dracula's eyes pulse a

fiery red.

"This is really embarrassing." Ricky continued, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. "Because I mean, I haven't really thought about you at all in these last two-sorry, I mean

three years." Ricky relished the look of fury that flashed across Dracula's face, knowing how

much it irritated the ancient vampire.

"Honestly, I've been relaxing with my FULLY intact core, lounging around while using magic

from my FULLY intact core-"

"ENOUGH!" Dracula shouted, the sheer force of his voice rattling the dust from the ceiling as

the doors slammed shut behind him as he scowled, his gaze locking onto Ricky, seething with

anger.

His attire remained unchanged, but now he carried a plain-faced feline at his side and a pendant dangling from his neck, its glow pulsating softly as Ricky flashed a grin, relishing the

moment.

"I see you've brought me a gift?" Dracula mused, recognizing the pendant, his greedy eyes

coveting it.

"Yeah, I thought you should see it at least once since I did pry it free from the ashes of your

son." Ricky retorted, his gaze steady as he met Dracula's simmering anger as the mention of

his son hung in the air like a heavy fog, intensifying the tension.

"You dare!" Dracula's breath hitched, his composure cracking under the weight of Ricky's

taunt.

In an instant, red energy began to pulse around him, matching the rhythm of his furious

heartbeat.

Ricky slowly removed his helmet, casting it aside with a flourish as the clatter echoed ominously in the silence, and both Rachael and Dracula stood momentarily stunned. Ricky's face was unprotected, his features illuminated by the pendant's glow, revealing a

fierce determination and a hint of madness in his eyes.

"What are you doing-" Rachael asked from the side, her voice laced with concern, but Ricky

simply fixed his gaze forward, shrugging off any notion of retreat. Ricky had long made up his mind; there would be no room for excuses, no thoughts of escape.

In that moment, he resolved to ensure victory, no matter the cost as he was ready to face

whatever darkness lay ahead, prepared to confront the consequences of his boldness. "My name is Ricky Luciano, and I f*cking ripped your son's head off!" Ricky declared, his

voice echoing through the chamber like a battle cry.

The words hung in the air, charged with defiance as Dracula's grip tightened on the handles of

his throne, the wood creaking under the pressure as rage boiled within him.

*BOOM*

Dracula's bloodthirst erupted, a palpable wave of rage radiating from him as he fixed his

furious gaze on Ricky as the air around them crackled with tension, filled with the promise of

violence.

"You killed my son, killed my minions, came to my castle, AND DARE TO ACT SO ARROGANT

IN FRONT OF ME!" Dracula rose from his throne, a towering figure shrouded in darkness, his

eyes glowing with an intense killing intent.

"FOR WHAT REASON COULD POSSIBLY FATHOM BEING SO IDIOTIC!" Dracula roared,

throwing his cloak aside, revealing the full extent of his monstrous power, poised to end Ricky's life in a heartbeat.

"YOU KILLED HENRY!" Ricky shot back, his voice cutting through the tension, frustration

etched across his face as Dracula shook his head, momentarily bewildered.

"Who is Henry-the bird?" Dracula asked, genuinely taken aback, disbelief flickering in his

eyes.

"Yeah, asshole! You killed my bird, and now I'm going to kick your ass!"

Author's Note: Been procrasting hard recently, but I'll be checking comments either later today or maybe tommorrow. Also, I'm considering opening up my Patreon either today or tomorrow, but I'll make an official announcement if that happens. For those concerned, just relax, the fic will continue to release as usual, and free readers won't miss out on anything nor

be locked out of any chapters behind a paywall. Patreon will just offer access to advanced

chapters for those interested.