The Fallen Vampire

After previous comments were made, Aja punched Taira in the chest hard enough to kill a normal person instantly.

And since he figured that he deserved it after being so thick headed, he did not make any moves to avoid her assault and paid the price for it dearly.

While her husband was being abused, Lucia kept her eyes firmly on the baskets they had been given that contained all of their people's hopes.

"Aja?"

"Hm?" The Lich suddenly stopped trying to pull off Taira's ear and stared at Lucia with her usual robotic red eyes.

"Can you gather everyone who left us an offering..? I have something I would like to say to them."

-

As Lucia requested, Aja gathered everyone in the castle who had left an offering.

Over one hundred assembled undead were now standing in the grand hall, anxiously awaiting to hear the words of the Supreme Fallen.

The term 'power couple' had yet to reach this world yet, but if it had, there would be no end to those who would throw it around to describe Taira and his wives.

And as the group took center stage, all prior murmurs and whispers were ceased in an instant.

Since she was the one who had called for this whole thing, it was no surprise that Lucia stepped forward to speak on behalf of her family.

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"Ah.. Hello everyone." Lucia said with a somewhat nervous smile.

Everyone immediately sucked in their breaths as they let the sound of her musical voice play like a violin in their ears.

So majestic!

"I wanted to start out by saying that my family and I are truly grateful for all of the gifts you have left us. We are so touched by all of the time and care that you have put into them."

'I-I knew it was a good idea to weave that basket by hand!'

'T-They loved my muffins! Two of them still have the crumbs on their cheeks!'

'I could die right at this very moment... Happily this time.'

"But I feel as though you must know..." Lucia began with great difficulty. "We are not gods. Or anything close to it at the moment.

Even though we are appreciative of all of your hopes... we don't want you to feel as though you have been misled."

For the first time, the undead fallen started to speak out on their own.

"We would never!"

An elderly looking wight stepped forward, with long spidery limbs and hollow sunken eyes and cheekbones.

"Pardon my outburst, my lady, but... That is the furthest thing from our thinking. We aren't oblivious to your current capabilities, but we know talent!

You are the best chance to defeat the taces of light that we have seen in centuries! You are a dragon! Two of you are fox spirits! An unholy shoggoth! An heir to a sect! And..."

Instinctively, everyone's eyes drew onto Vermeil, the only human around for miles.

It was clear that the old wight was getting a bit emotional as he searched for the right words to say.

He continually clenched and unclenched his bony fists passionately.

"And... a human, who betrayed her own kind and people.. to become a hero to those who she has no allegiance to... Can there be anything more divine than that..? I don't believe so."

Vermeil felt tears welling up within her own eyes as she bit her lip to stop from full on sobbing.

Her grip on Taira's hand tightened so much that he thought she was going to turn his bones into powder.

But then again, it wasn't as if he wouldn't have let her.

The old wight dropped to one knee in front of Lucia and her family and lowered his head until it was touching his bony sternum.

"Whether you are immortals yet or not, our faith is firmly placed with you all the same. We recognize that your ascension to the heavens, as well as the waves of change you will leave in your wake, are only a matter of time.

And though our own skill may be far below your own, if you should ever ask, we would not hesitate to put our lives on the line for you."

'Am I being overthrown right now..?' Aja wondered. 'Finally. I'm a little tired of paperwork.'

At the wight's direction, all of the undead behind him also began to drop to one knee and lower their heads.

Even the children that the group had saved prior to coming here were bowing in the back; already looking so much healthier than they were when they were brought here a week ago.

They ended up being the last drop of water that burst the dam, and silent tears began to flow from the girls like rivers.

Even though he always hated public speaking, Taira was able to recognize that now was the time and place for it.

He stepped forward with the same noble air that had been ingrained in him from blood, and captivated every undead in the room.

Though... his 'speech' was a bit less elegant, sincere, and thoughtful than Lucia's.

"We understand. For your faith, we will bring you the futures you desire to your very feet if we must. Nex Sacramentum."

"NEX SACRAMENTUM!"

Among the undead fallen, there is a sacred pact for those who wish to show the utmost sincerity and willpower.

To declare the death oath is to say 'I will accomplish this no matter what, or I will die a violent death a second time.'

And by the undead repeating it back to him, it meant that they were accepting his vow, and locking in a pact that could not be broken; lest he forever lose all honor he has ever held as a member of the undead.

He wasn't sure exactly what had moved him to make such a bold and powerful statement, but he didn't regret it.

Not for a single second.

'Look at me, out of seclusion for the first time in fifty years and I'm making death oaths and declaring best friends. What has become of the man I once was?'

Despite his inner chastising dialogue, Taira wasn't at all unhappy and there was even a rather large smirk on his face.

The number of people that he had to protect and avenge had just gone up, which meant that his ability had to grow to match it.

But he did not mind that in the slightest.

Gaining strength in pursuit of a grander goal.. he found there to be little more entertaining in life than that.