The sky burns orange and purple both above the village streets and in the glistening pools of blood that cover them. There is a war painting them crimson, a battle being fought between two sides quite unequal in number but very much equal in peculiarity.
On the attack are a mindless horde without strategy or tactic but only an insatiable appetite for the flesh of its inhabitants. They have seemingly risen from the very grave itself with vacant grey eyes masking a burning hunger that drives them relentlessly toward the warm bodies hiding behind brick and mortar.
They are opposed by the brave few who have taken arms to protect themselves, a few who have grown only fewer as ignorance to their undead foes have thinned their ranks. But they fight with their own allies from the other side of the grave, a pair who bring not only knowledge of the ravenous army but also an immunity to their infection and abilities far beyond those of the mortal townsfolk. This macabre duo lead the charge without fear for they are the vampire, Count Dracula, and the flesh-golem handiwork of Victor Frankenstein, now calling himself Hugo.
"Aim square between the eyes! No bullet can stop them lest it's fired into the depths of their brains! The grey matter within their skulls houses their only spark of life! Whether it be by bullet, blade, or bludgeon, its destruction will lay them to rest," The Count bellows the instruction to a portly mustached fellow gripping his rifle with hands that tremble with both terror and the will to protect his family, "Tell all who may pass this way so that their weakness might be exposed to as many a man as dare stand against them!"
"Or woman, sir," a voice draws the Count's eyes to the man's wife who now stands beside him brandishing a pistol of her own. Responding with a fanged smile, Dracula seemingly melts into a swirling cloud of ink that slithers upward through the air. The gun-clutching couple stand slack-jawed but for a moment before tightening their grip on both their firearms as well as their resolve as they hear the groans of the invasion.
The spray of near-black crimson bursts across the bricks as a pair of skulls shatter against it, each gripped from the rear by the sizable hand of their towering attacker. Upon dropping to the ground their destruction is complete as an equally sizable boot crushes what remains underfoot. The near eight-foot Hugo does not bother to wipe the gore from their treads before lunging toward another trio of moaning assailants. Seizing the outside pair by the face, he forcefully claps their skulls together, catching the third between them, their skulls crushing like melons upon impact. Wringing the drippings from his hands, he catches glimpse of the black cloud spiraling down beside him.
"The joy of feeling their skulls collapse in my palms is a strong temptation to remain where I stand, my friend, but we must press onward and make haste to prepare the next village for their arrival."
As the mist solidifies into the vampire's form, a hand takes shape on the shoulder of the giant.
"Preparations go before us, dear Hugo. I have sent letters of warning and instruction to the next few villages in the direction of their advancement with several of my finest kin. Knowledge of the threat that has besieged their neighbors shall now be met by the knowledge of how they can ready themselves to succeed against it. And our own personal efforts have earned us recognition already, my friend. Indeed, the tides have begun to turn as the waves of blood spill from this loathsome plague. As word of this ravenous army continues to spread, so, too, does that of the two creatures of the night who dare lead the charge against them."
"I seek not renown for my efforts. I seek only to extinguish the revulsion that contorts their features as they look upon me."
"I know you seek only equality among them but I do not doubt that you would also welcome a firm handshake, a pat on the back, a warm embrace, or even a kiss should it be offered. What if they were to look upon you with admiration? What if they were to applaud and cheer your name? What if their features no longer crumpled in fear and disgust but instead lit up with awe and respect? I assure you the burden of being well regarded will be a thousand-fold lighter than that which is currently shackled to your back."
"We haven't the time to debate the weight I'm fit to bear as our foes here are not fully laid to waste."
"Listen, my friend! As their shots ring out, the voice of the adversary diminishes! This town is standing its ground and soon it will stand in silence! Go then and find yourself a few more that you might destroy for your own pleasure for I believe our work here to be near complete. And when that silence washes over this town, rest your bones for you have earned your respite. I must admit, however, that I will continue to prod you toward accepting your role as celebrated hero."
"Rather hero than monster, I suppose, if it must be one or the other."
"They shall sculpt you in marble and fix it in their square!"
A half-smile and a sigh are the giant's reply as he clenches his fists and jogs off toward the sounds of combat.
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