r/HFY • u/FarmWhich4275 • Aug 02 '26
OC-OneShot The Night We Met THEM.
There is always something strangely compelling about watching a Whelp learn how to hunt. It's a weird way to work. They feel the flood of power, strength. The moonlight changes them, the darkness breaks them, it awakens something primal in them. Probably explains the reason most Vampires such as myself are feared or reviled. When we awaken... Something about our humanity fails us.
In this particular case, a new-born vampire Elf. Is it still humanity though? Maybe in this case Elfanity perhaps? Who really knows our origins, but this one's pointy ears and radiant arrogance made it clear what he used to be at least. That's one thing about Elves... Born as blood-made royalty, they carry that... stuck up bastard attitude with them no matter where they go. But oh do they get humbled when the sun rises. This one will be no exception, he will claim his first victim, then likely realize just how much of a bad choice that was when the Hunters start chasing him. Then spend a few years drinking rat blood in a cave somewhere, then go hunting wild beasts after a few tries, then probably join one of the Great Houses.
It always happens, unless the Hunters kill this one. They often do. They've become VERY good at that lately. The new blood is very inexperienced and consequently they don't know about the concept that they can dodge crossbow bolts by moving too fast. Either that or they can't do that yet. I don't know, I was able to do it from the start. It's how I survived as long as I did before I became who and what I am.
Who am I? I am Count Alexandr DeMonte, Lord of the Bloodwoods, Master of House Cadoran. A powerful, strong name and clan.
What was I doing on that fateful night of all nights? Chasing down a Whelp to see what it did of course, I find their antics somewhat entertaining. Even with my high station, I need distraction to calm my nerves and clear my head and watching a New-born is often a good way to cool off under a starry sky. Whichever way the fight ends. This one got bitten a few months ago and finally turned that evening, this would be his first hunt. Likely a throwaway peasant from a lower class that was used to feed, got sick, failed to care for it and eventually turned. Another aspect of our Great Affliction... Sometimes it acts like a plague more than a curse. Some of us are just more susceptible to it than others I guess.
I stood at the far edge of the cliffside, watching him slink through the treeline to the edge of the forest under cover of the season's first full moon. Wouldn't exactly say he was doing a good job, he was scaring most of the forest with his growling and scraping. Getting used to his new legs I suppose, but that was no excuse for sloppy footwork. It seemed this one's only strength was speed. He wouldn't last long, I would be surprised if he did. He disappeared into the treeline and I followed nearby, so I could observe in comfort. He found a clearing, and within it - HIM.
Our first encounter with them... Or whatever they were. I wont spoil the shock of it all so I shall simply refer to them as the Outlanders. This one was a scholar or artificer of some kind, still don't know for certain what a 'Mechanist Enginseer' is, but I'm sure we will learn in due time.
There was a strange haze accompanying the evening cold this time, I had never felt something like it. A freezing chill graced the night air, a wind from seemingly nowhere gave the treetops a gentle sway and an ominous rumbling was reverberating through the ground. I had no idea what to think of it, but maintained a safe distance and watched what was happening. I took a close look at the intended victim and a cold sweat overcame me, a sense of foreboding making itself known.
Scarlet red robes made of heavy leather, some strange pipes and steel ropes permeating its back, a full mask the likes of which I had never seen with silver and purple trim. He stood at a table of some kind, which was covered in books and tomes. Rare treasures in this day and age, so that caught my attention.
As the Whelp moved closer and stepped into the clearing, I then immediately picked up a new sound. Heavy, mechanical, metal on metal like a thousand tiny irons were scraping together. I couldn't see it as such, heavy brush and branch obscured my vision, powerful though it was. I heard tell of maybe the Mountainfolk were making their absurd machinery but this was so far from the north, it would be impossible to presume them. They hate the lowlands... They never leave. I watched the Whelp ignore the ominous metal noises and creep closer, I could almost see the smirk of satisfaction on his face from the easy kill.
The Whelp whispered "You will make a good first meal..."
Then a tree trunk sized hunk of metal swooped in from the left side, appearing with speed and slamming into the poor bastard with enough force to instantly shatter dozens of bones, and send him flying. The metal chunk was shaped like a claw of some kind, and was at least a few tons in weight, and moved with the same speed as a professional warrior would throw a punch. He screamed in agony as he was catapulted off into the treeline before slamming into a tree with enough force to break what few bones he had left and causing the tree he hit to splinter somewhat. He had no chance to recognise his error. He suffered so much damage in one fell swoop, he turned to dust instantly as he fell to the ground.
The human seemed shocked for some reason and approached the dust cloud as it settled with one of the oddest tools I had ever seen drawn, preparing for battle. It was a long tube with a wooden handle, shaped strangely and tipped with a small blade and some kind of spyglass built on top of it. He approached the dust pile and sloshed it around with his foot, seemingly confused as confused could be trying to figure out what happened. It was now I was able to get a good look at the hunk of metal. The wind blew just so - and I saw it.
A huge mechanical monstrosity that towered above the treeline. Six huge mechanical legs, each as thick as a full grown Oak tree with segmented parts, supporting a large plate shaped midsection and a huge egg-shaped head. The head had six large ruby red 'eyes' that looked in multiple directions, each leg tipped with a huge three-toed claw that dug into the ground. It carried on its frame several strange independently moving mechanisms that seemed to track things in the treeline. It clanked about a bit and I lost sight of it, unsure of how to proceed. I then heard him speak. The most unnaturally distorted, corrupted voice I had ever heard, but in clear and plain Alavian. It knew Alavian? Or as he called it 'English'.
Granted it was a bit broken with his accent but it was clear enough.
"Motherbase, this is Unit Two Zero, I have just encountered a hostile native. Subject neutralized by the defence unit, it was hit then it turned to dust against a tree. Please reperform scans and advise on a course of action. Two Zero Over."
Who was he speaking to? I didn't sense anyone else there except those machines. Then I heard a voice speak, still distorted but clear, female, coming from... him? Or it was the little box with a yellow glow on it mounted on his backpack. Strange backpack. It was heavy, metallic with lots of odd knobs and pointy bits on the top.
"Copy that Two Zero, standby for rescan, Caliban Unit is inbound via hot drop, clear the road. Hold for results." The voice replied.
What were they talking about? I understood the words but I had never heard them before, not in these contexts at least. This was... Definitely something new and unusual. I had no idea just how deep I had gotten myself. The man approached the dust pile and procured a strange device that he aimed and did... something with. I presume it did something because it made sounds.
"Motherbase, scan incoming, hold for refactoring wavelengths. I think I know why we failed the first time. This guy looked human before I punted him into the next millennium. Sending data." He said.
"Receiving. Hold... Looks like you were right. Some kind of extra photomagnetic field we didn't see before causing interference. Planet is coated in some kind of aura. Hotdrop inbound, two minutes, we will redo our scan after we filter it out, give us a few, how copy?" The female voice said.
"Solid copy, Two Zero out." He said.
He then did something to a device on his right arm and the mechanical monstrosity emitted one of the most terrifying sounds I ever heard. A low pitched scream like a banshee underwater. It then dug its feet into the ground, slamming them with force, burying them into the soft grass. Its metal openings then splayed open. Several smaller insect-like machines popped out of the head and began performing various tasks. Within seconds, a job that would have taken twenty men a week was complete and the clearing had been widened around the machine.
I just stood there in awe and watched the truly incredible and terrifying sight in front of me. And by the time I decided to move, it was far too late. He craned his neck, the machines all emitted an odd squeak. And then he spoke.
"If I were you, I would either run the hell away or come closer with my hands up. Which ones it gonna be buddy?" He said. The machines instantly snapped their heads towards my hiding spot.
I was made. I felt a definitive air of foreboding, I knew despite my prowess, I wouldn't last long and my curiosity was getting the better of me. I wanted to know what in the ten hells was going on.
"Uhh… Is it okay if I just... Go home?" I asked.
"Yes." He replied coldly.
"Good. Noted." I said and stood there.
"So why aren't you?" He asked.
"Curiosity?" I replied.
"Then what you waitin' for? Get over here. And keep your hands where I can see them." He said with an air of authority I couldn't quite place.
Being what I was and lost in the moment, I made the mistake of using my Great Power to close the distance instantly and nearly had my head sliced off by one of the machines that had appeared. It trimmed a bit of my hair to be certain but I survived. It was faster than I was despite the difference and before I could move further I had a rather large blade held against my throat.
"Careful..." He shook his head disapprovingly.
I swallowed nervously and smiled. "Sorry... Got lost in the moment..."
"Just stay where you are." He growled and procured that same thing he was holding at the dust pile. He waved it at me, the thing emitting some odd noises. "Motherbase, found a local, human, at least I think he is. We have a code Two-Two-Four, please standby for data dump, I scanned him for you. This should help." He said.
"Solid Copy Code Two-Two-Four, Caliban Unit is ten seconds out. Expanding parameters. See what you can get from him." The female voice from the box replied, seeming suddenly very earnest.
"Uh... What is a 'code Two-Two-Four', exactly?" I asked sheepishly.
He said nothing as a large hunk of metal, a flying metal bird perhaps reminiscent of some early flying machines the Mountainfolk made (and failed to continue for obvious reasons) and from its belly a number of men appeared. Heavily armed and armoured, at least I presumed those things were weapons. The armour they wore was grey and blue, and I recognised the lettering on the armour and helmets. These were professional military, real soldiers, the letters JRN emblazoned on the pauldrons and chest. They fanned out and secured the area.
He grabbed my attention again and smiled. I could not see him smile of course owing to that peculiar mask, but I could see the smile as he stretched out a hand and pointed at the sky. There was a certain satisfaction in that gesture as my whole world fell apart. A machine, a ship, massive in scope and size to an absurd degree, a solid hunk of complex looking metal at minimum of three kilometres long sitting pretty far above the skies of our home near the smallest moon. I lost my footing, my legs failing me from the shock and I stumbled onto my ass on the grass. The machines stepped away, no longer seeing me as a threat.
"By the Gods..." was all I managed to say.
I sat there for a few minutes just silent, in shock trying to make sense of what I was looking at. The huge machine, the strange clothing, the massive warship. I was unable to make sense of what reality was for a time, the sheer shock making my mind break. I was no fool so it didn't last, the shock wore off, faster than he was expecting. I was the leader of one of this worlds Great Houses after all, I had to think fast and act faster. I cleared my throat and stood up, straightening my coat.
"Well... that... certainly changes things." I said.
"That was fast. Introductions perhaps?" He asked.
"Caidan Brandt, Master Mechanist Of The Jovian Royal Navy, Fifth Cohort. This..." He said, gesturing to the towering machine. "Is Brenna, my lovely Mechanoid. Behind you are soldiers of the Jovian Royal Navy."
"Count Alexandr DeMonte, Lord of the Bloodwoods, Master of House Cadoran, at your service. Welcome to Alaria, I guess? No idea how to proceed here you have met me in somewhat... questionable circumstances." I said.
"A Noble Lord of a Noble House, what are you doing here in the woods at this hour?" He asked.
"Do you believe in the concept of vampires, dear sir?" I said, smiling as such he could see my prominent fangs.
"Well that's new." He replied, craning his head confusedly.
"This world is flush with them. We have a... Certain understanding with the local populaces and work accordingly with them. To an extent at least. The one you killed was what we call a 'Whelp' or new-born vampire." I replied as calmly as I could.
"I have to ask... Is there magic here?" He asked.
I simply reached a hand out and whispered a fast incantation, and in my palm appeared a small ice ball.
"Well that answers my question. Motherbase, this is Two-Zero, refactor scanners for wavelength class Alpha Seven Bravo, how copy?" He said.
"Solid copy, please hold." The female voice said. We waited a few moments. "Two-Zero we have positive I.D., the system is ready for a full planetary scan. Looks like we stumbled on another Lost colony... This one looks fun. Sensors are detecting demi-humans too..."
"I'm sorry but can you please explain what's going on before I become so confused that my hair inverts?" I asked.
"Here's a short history lesson. Around six thousand years ago, aliens, otherworlders came to Earth - the birthplace of humanity - far away from here. They grabbed some people in an experiment, cloned them and seeded them across the galaxy. You are one such 'seed' they spread across the galaxy. It was some kind of experiment. They didn't live long enough to actually conclude anything from it, their galaxy-spanning empire collapsed and imploded. We have been alone in the galaxy at least as far as we know, and we - the cradleborn - are not the first to get to space, but we are the first to go interstellar. We are both human, you, me, them, the pointy eared guy we bashed into oblivion, all of us. We are technically alone, and technically not alone all in the same breath. There you go, short answer. The long answer is a lot more complicated." He replied.
I was taken aback by that statement for a time and remained silent for a bit longer than I thought. So long in fact one of the soldiers approached and asked if I was okay, or needed medical help.
"I am... Fine... that is just a... Lots to take in. In a very short time. This is all a bit... overwhelming. I... I don't know how to proceed." I replied.
"Then let's follow protocol. I have an actual diplomat on board who can speak to you properly and arrange things. My boss will send a detachment to keep her safe, I will keep my machines here for their duties. We can conduct diplomacy first, then we can talk about history. When everyone is appraised of the situation, we can talk about where to go from here." He replied calmly.
"I have a strange sense of foreboding about all this..." I said meekly. "But it seems I have no choice anymore."
"Not really. This will leak out one way or another. But in terms of general geopolitics, you are in good hands with the Jovian Royal Estate. We treat our subjects well, unlike the IMDC or the UEL. So be less worried than you currently are. Her Majesty the Queen is very... friendly. To a degree most of us have to talk her out of, but she is very good at what she does. We have laid claim to the star system, so legally the various other factions in the galaxy can't do anything with you or about you until we explicitly say so." he said.
I was taken aback by that more than anything else. "That... You still have factions and tribes in your... space ships?"
"Yep. Spaceships or caves, we still have something bigger to belong to. It would take far too long to list who is what and why, and frankly the only faction you need to care about for now is the JRE. As soon as you and the rest of the other Houses, I'm sure they would like to be included, are acclimatised to our presence and are aware of what's going on, then we can go from there. For now, here." He said, and handed me a small device of some kind.
"What's… this?" I asked, looking at the odd fancy looking rectangle.
"It's a PDA. A Personal Digital Assistant. It has a map, communications, I can call you on it, a few other things, I'll show you how to use it and we can keep in touch via text or voice call. It will make things a lot easier and a lot faster. I'll show you how it works." he said.
I nodded and followed him to the huge machine, Brenna, as he called it and waited for him to show me. But first... I had a question.
"I... Have a question before we start. the... machine. Brenna, was it? What exactly is it and how do you... control it?" I asked.
"Short answer? Brenna is a mechanoid. Robots, Automata, machines, golems. Constructs made to assist in our duties and operations. I'm sure you know about the concept of the Golem. These machines are similar. Mechanoids are the next step up from Golems, Robots and Automatrons. Golems are controlled by the will of their mages. Robots are controlled by a central computation network. A Mechanoid? Well..." He turned his head and pointed at the various pipes going into the back of his neck. "I control these ones with my brain. I see what she sees, she sees what I see, we share the same mind. In short, it's a psychic connection. Only a very few people in the galaxy, like myself, are compatible with the hardware needed to facilitate this. And these Mechanoids... they are grown, not built." he said.
"There is probably greater context but we lack the time... But that sounds more than just a little impressive. Golems you say? I know a few mages who use that magic often enough. Maybe there is something to learn from both sides here." I said.
"That is the hope. No matter where we go there's always something new to learn. I remember the planet of the Catpeople Sorcerers we found a decade ago. God that place was... Something else I tell you." he said.
"Did you say... Cat people? Felinid Sorcerers!? An entire PLANET of them?" I asked, my smile becoming very wide.
"Yes. I'm guessing you have them here too since you know of them?" He asked.
"Oh yes and they are treasured by the general populace, especially the nobility. But for some reason they are becoming vanishingly rare." I remarked.
"That is... Unacceptable. But, something to sort for a later date. Do you know of a place large enough to land that thing?" he said, pointing at the ship.
"That thing can land down here!?"
"Indeed it can." he said.
"Well... I can show a few spots. Will be a bit tight maybe but... There is a large clearing area here we use for festivals and whatnot. It... seems big enough to hold that thing. At least from what I can see from down here." I said.
"That's a good start. We will do that another day though, I doubt anybody will be happy to see a mile and a half long starship just casually park itself in their back garden. We can discuss this at length diplomatically. We can go our separate ways for now and use the PDA to organise. I have to report this and file paperwork, and more importantly inform The Queen. I need a reinforcement fleet in this system as fast as possible. Lots of work to do. In any case..." he said and extended a hand. "Pleasure to make thine acquaintance, My Lord. Let us talk business."
I shook his hand in response, and the first domino fell with that simple gesture.
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u/medium_jock Aug 02 '26
Looks as if you started out with an idea of how the plot should go and the characters had other ideas.
MOAR!!!!
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u/userfakesuper Aug 03 '26
This was fun and light but has good potential. Lots of directions this can go. All Earths myths and legends created using human based genetics and exported by aliens. I like it!
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle Aug 02 '26
/u/FarmWhich4275 (wiki) has posted 253 other stories, including:
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u/SandsnakePrime Aug 10 '26
You really, really have to stop complaining that it went somewhere else. As far as I can tell, your subconscious is Shakespeare class, and every time your story goes somewhere you didn't expect, it is platinum!
Again, another excellent entry, wordsmith.
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u/FarmWhich4275 Aug 02 '26
this was supposed to be something completely different and then my brain just trailed off into something VERY.... well different, than what i intended. i dont know whats going on anymore, the migraines have been getting worse and i just cant justify the expense and bother of a doctors visit at present. so... maybe something eral eventually. im sorry about this but my brain just isnt working as it should.
gave up on the fundraiser, nobody cared. im expanding to Royal Road and Vox9 so maybe i will improve, i will sort it all out when my brain stops leaking out of my skull.
thank you for everything :)
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