“So you killed a Vampire?”

Dragonick and his tutor had been standing together in the low light as finally Ashyer and Reginald finally returned to the ground floor.

Whilst his outlandish hair was notable, the difference in attire between Dragonick and Ashyer was obvious given the large and circular cloak that covered the formers entire body save for his lower legs.

Even his uniformed trousers had been changed, showing a tighter and lighter fabric that appeared easier to manoeuvre in. His arms, like his tutors, weren’t visible and yet there appeared to be slits in the cloak for them to poke through if need be.

“I had been training to do it for a while,” Ashyer joked, standing beside Dragonick as Reginald wandered over to the other Dentist in the room.

“Though… in truth, I feel like my arms and legs are sinking from the fight, and we’re not even halfway through our shift yet. I understand now why they put so much focus on the physical training. I’d be exhausted…”

“Yeah. Great. Tell me, did you bite him?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then you have failed in your mission, which is very disappointing considering our pact…”

“Are you still on that?” Ashyer sighed, turning his head as Reginald reacted positively and patted the other Dentist on the shoulder. They were showing him something, a medallion of sorts, and it was clear that it held a lot of importance.

“What are they like?” He wondered, adding; “Your tutor.”

“Gotthold.” Dragonick said, confirming their name; “And he’s good. He doesn’t go at things the way I would. But he’s fine..”

“You mean he doesn’t like to rush into things with a backwards flip for no reason?”

“Urgh, annoyingly, no. He’s… patient. He observes. He hides.”

Dragonick stared at his tutor, his expression shifting slightly as he then admitted;

“Ashyer. He’s… really strong.”

That seemed surprising.

Looking at the figure, or at least what he could see with the revealed legs and the partially exposed face, he looked quite… weedy.

Dragonick was the opposite. He advertised power, with toned muscles that were perfect for combat and a body was built for the intense cardio that combat brought. Sure, Gotthold looked graceful in a way that his Dental Cadet didn’t, but that was because he was mostly hidden beneath the layers of fabric and the mask across his lower face.

He gave nothing away, which seemed to be the intent.

“He unlocked his magic recently. We went to go get me a cloak and then he got the results back.” Dragonick said in awe.

“He went for the exam?” Ashyer said, his voice hushed as his eyes widened; “How- I mean, what did he tell you about it?”

“Apparently it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done in his life, and it took him four years to be brave enough to attempt it.”

Ashyer understood that. It was a big deal.

Magic was the force empowered by the soul. The ultimate weapon against Evil.

The creation and moulding of such a force is a dangerous process and can only be performed in a space where accessibility to the soul is granted. Rumours circulated of intense prayer or meditation opening the pathway, but really only one scenario had been proven to so consistently grant such an easy and convenient route to that which burned as powerfully as the sun.

And in a world where Death ruled all choices, it only stood to reason that for a Dentist to become necessarily powerful that Death would need to be conquered.

“He died, apparently, last week.” Dragonick said; “He took the exam and was considered legally deceased for four minutes before he came back, but apparently it was totally worth it given what he can do now. The other people talking to him were really excited.”

“So your tutor can use his Nova Pulse,” Ashyer muttered; “We both got lucky, then.”

“Yours can too?”

“Apparently. I’ve not seen it though.”

“Man…” Dragonick muttered, crossing his arms; “I felt like I was really cool in our lessons- probably the favourite in the class, you know? But now that we’re here I genuinely am starting to feel that I’m lagging behind everyone else already.”

“You’ve been a Dentist for barely six hours,” Ashyer laughed; “Do you think your being a bit hard on yourself?”

“You killed a Vampire less than twenty minutes ago. You don’t get to lecture me on the importance of taking my time.”

“How often do I have to explain this to you? There is no sense in rushing these things,” Gotthold said, stepping towards the pair with Reginald; “If I’m trying to drum anything into you, it’s that patience is your most valuable tool.”

His voice was soft and yet somehow they were all able to hear him perfectly. It was as though he had mastered the power of speaking at the exact right level for others to hear him which, given he made no other sound from the fabric to his footsteps, tracked.

Dragonick seemed to make noise with every movement he made as the fabric folded of the cloak ruffled, but Gotthold in return made it seem like he was almost invisible even as he was observed by the other three pairs of eyes.

“Still,” He added; “It does indeed sound like more opportunities are coming our way for you to show your strength against a Vampire. A plan would be ideal though before we conduct ourselves in any way.”

“We are four exceptionally powerful Dentists though.” Dragonick said; “So I think we can handle one Vampire together, right?”

“I’m amused at you including yourself in that list of “exceptionally powerful Dentists”.”

“Hey! I’ll have you know that-.”

“Legitimately,” Ashyer said, interrupting the other two; “Gotthold is right. We are four Dentists in comparison to what we assume we’re dealing with. I understand the importance of preparation, but I’m also conscious that we’re looking at this as though we have all the facts. In truth, we don’t really have anything.”

“Ashyer just got seventy points and he is correct.” Reginald said, to which Gotthold agreed with a nod; “We need to think of a plan that utilises all of our strengths as we search the rest of this building. The staircase is our major access up and down-.”

“For us,” Gotthold interrupted; “The elevators may be open, but it doesn’t meant that Vampires can’t use them.”

“True, but we can’t do anything until we’ve checked the rest of the building and ensure there is no escape or attempt at such by our enemy. That’s why I think we need to think of a plan that cuts off our potential exits and also pushes us upwards.”

He pondered, adding as he glanced up;

“So I’m thinking-.”

Whatever the rest of that sentence was to be was lost to time.

The ground shuddered with the force of an impact mixed with the echo of crushed metal.

What followed was the pressure of an explosion as the entrance to the apartment block exploded inwards with metal bending and glass scattering.

Ashyer and Dragonick had covered themselves with their arms which, as they lowered, they noticed that their tutors had jumped in front of them to protect them further. No damage seemed to have been incurred by the more experienced Dentists, but their speed was considered more impressive in that moment.

“What was-?” Ashyer began to ask, stepping forward as Reginald held out his arm to stop him from advancing.

“The car.” He said; “Something landed on it?”

“Something like…?”

He already knew the answer.

From the now open door to the apartment complex and through the smashed windows they could see the remains of the vehicle that Ashyer and Reginald had arrived in. It’s sides jutted outwards, crushed from the pressure as the figure which had landed on it slowly rose in the dark night.

It then jumped to the ground, revealing no injuries from its colossal fall as it walked through the entranceway and stood with crossed arms to face them. It was a confident stride, one with intense power as the older man- recently turned if his clothes were anything to go by- glared at them all as though they were the problem.

“Sir.” Reginald said, stepping forward with his hands on his axes; “You appear to have ruined my car.”

“My bad.” The Vampire said; “Do you have insurance?”

“You know, actually, I would have made a joke- but we totally do.”

“Convenient. Is the hazard pay good as well?”

“The benefits in general are pretty great, actually.” Reginald said, shrugging; “I mean, I’d offer you one of our leaflets if you were seriously considering a change in career, but… well, considering your new lifestyle, it may not suit you.”

Ashyer realised in that moment that Dragonick and Gotthold had vanished, figuring that the latter had used his stealth with the former in mind and as part of their personal training. He attempted to look around, but Reginald coughed, and he realised that was exactly what he wasn’t supposed to do.

“Which one of you killed the other of my kind?” The Vampire wondered, stepping further into the apartment block; “I assume the younger one. He smells of sweat and fatigue. Unless he really hates stairs…”

“I- I did.” He stammered in reply; “I killed the one upstairs, and I’ll do it again.”

“You’d kill the same one again?” Reginald wondered; “We need to train you on your insults.”

“I’m just glad I didn’t lose points.”

“You did. I’ll give you a score after.”

“…ah…”

The Vampire stepped closer, the ground shuddering under his weight. It was a curious feeling, much unlike the creature that he had slain above. Ashyer realised that this creature felt more unnatural.

It’s presence was giving him the sense that he was looking at something uncanny, as though his flight instincts were kicking in and suggesting that he was facing a genuine predator. Something primal in his being, his genetics perhaps, saw this as a foe who was dangerous to him in a way that was undefinable even though his rationale brain understood precisely why.

His training had told him to attack but given how Reginald was blocking him it was clear he wasn’t supposed to in this moment.

“It’s interesting what a little pep talk can achieve.” The Vampire said, moving forward; “Moments ago I felt so many strange and unnecessary emotions. Grief, guilt, despair…”

“That last one didn’t start with a G. Felt like a waste.” Reginald interrupted.

“And yet now, it’s as though I feel invincible. As though those last doubts have been plucked from my soul and I am absolved of what I must do next. It’s almost like a baptism. I am ready to purge myself of the unclean elements who, in this instance, just happen to be you-.”

“YOU TALK TO MUCH!”

The roar from above caught them all off guard as Dragonick suddenly reappeared into view.

Attacking from above leading with both legs in a drop-kick, his arrival had given away his colleague who was presently clutching onto the ceiling also. Gotthold’s eyes widened beneath his uniform as he cried;

“Dragonick! No!”

But it was too late.

The pair of legs struck nothing as the Vampire moved to the side, and Ashyer noticed why as beside him Reginald drew his weapons.

The Vampire he had fought before hadn’t fed.

It had been… empty.

But this one, he could see, had fresh blood flowing through its veins. It was energised, and his ally had given himself away with his battle cry.

He moved to draw his sword in the same moment as the Vampire grabbed Dragonick by the neck and held him upwards with his feet dangling off the ground. His friend hadn’t even hit the ground, he’d just been snatched out of the air.

Naturally, Dragonick tried to speak, but his throat was being clutched by powerful, dead, hands.

“Unnecessary.” He said and grabbed the Cadet’s right arm and tore it from his body with the ease of ripping paper.

Weapons flashed forward as Gotthold struck the space where the pair had been standing with a spinning, silver, scythe and Reginald rushed into the same spot with his hand axes seconds later. They both glared at the ground, the dust kicking up with their impact, as Dragonick hit the ground with one less limb and screaming in pain.

The Vampire, now standing by the doorway once more, held the right arm in his hand and held the bloody stump over his face as the red liquid danced onto his tongue.

“Delicious…” he said, revealing his fangs, as two more Undead bodies landed behind him.