Of course they do.

You watched, watched as one by one, the Noxium fell to their knees.

First was Belle, who fell obediently at your command, next were the twins, who dropped like flies at to your behest, their golden heads low in respect, then was Diana, who looked at you with a certain kind of pride.

More and more knelt at Your feet, red eyes staring in a melting pot of emotions, Namina's cat-like eyes warmly looking on as she giggled slightly, her pigtails swirling as all others fell down even Vulcan who licked her lips hungrily as You looked at them all, smiling as You and Rose were the only ones who remained standing.

She looked at You, her eyes cold but uncertain as she began to walk towards you. Rose's long locks of ginger curls swaying as she moved in close, staring up at You with those beautiful blue orbs "This is it. True Lordem... I am... proud of you."

"Not too shabby huh, a little cruel with the kind, just like you taught me...." You saw the look in her eye, something... off "Are you alright?" Rose nodded, smiling despite a strange doubt in her eyes

"Perfectly fine, Beloved... Go on, to your Delegates, I will be gone for the night, I have no place here." Rose whispered

You went to grab for her as she moved "No place here, what are you talking about you-" But she had already vanished, quickening through the exit of the studio and into the night.

"Something's wrong..."

You must command them, know them, protect them as they protect you, be better than the others, they are watching

"Beast? what are you talking about?"

"Master..." You turned, seeing Belle's gentle eyes "The Ritual?"

You nodded, feeling a strange compelling **** pushing you to continue "Right, Vulcan, prepare the Ritual. Listen well, after the Ritual, I will sit with each of you, I wish to know you, know your names, know your faces, we are family now after all."

Vulcan sprung up, saluting you with a wide smile "Rudy will make preparations, great Lord Nox!"

The Noxium as stood, bowing resolutely, but one looked on in uncertainty "What about her." One slender blonde woman said... Velka, You thought Her name was. She pointed to Diana who had bowed with the others, Your eyes narrowed

"Come." You commanded, your claws sinking into her as she began to move involuntarily to you.

Velka stood before you nervously as You touched her pale face, leaning in to take in her icy scent "You are Velka, correct?" She nodded, mesmerised by your scarlet eyes "Listen to me Velka, Diana is just as much of a monster as us, and She is your sister too now. So no more hatred, we are all One in the Blood and the darkness, understand?" Her eyes flickered at Your venomous words

"Y-Yes, Master."

"Good, I'd hate to have to let go one as beautiful as You." You whispered, letting her free of your clutches and moving away just as she looked like she might crack under your snake-like gaze.

"Oh My... quite outstanding, how one can one be so, desirable and frightening simultaneously. Tis simply delicious." Swan removed her hat, stroking at her breast momentarily as Her wavy Oaken hair stood tall in its tight bun, Fawkes nodded as Lady Fall's face turned to one of fascination, her head tilted curiously as she whispered

"Mesmerising." She spoke in her hushed tone. Fawkes grinned from ear to ear, looking at the Boy eagerly as He consorted with his newly devoted clansmen and women, but Morrigan was not impressed, she actually seemed, under Fawke's critical eyes, to be afraid.

Yes... she trembled slightly, eyes bloodshot like a wolf backed into a corner "He's... so much like Him... so much like, Balaur..."

"What's' the matter girlie? cat got your tongue? hehe." Morrigan did not answer, her face becoming quite serious

"We don't have any more business here, we are leaving," Morrigan commanded, Swan raised an eyebrow

"Oh? who are you to command me?" Swan inquired, her eyes drowning with red as Morrigan hissed angrily. Fawkes put himself between them, looking to Swan with a sensible conviction

"For once, I must agree with Lady Morrigan. Let us leave the boy be, we shall watch him from afar, and should it be our wish, we will make introductions."

Swan's eyes narrowed challengingly for a moment, but she eventually wavered, her eyes resuming their natural colour as she nodded, "Very well... I will slip us through the fissure, to our headquarters." and that she did, pulling the four of them close, Fall's bubble of invisible flesh popping as they vanished down the pipe drain of eldritch power.

You paused. Looking to the furthermost left corner of the studio... did you feel... no, it was just your imagination... but you could have sworn, for a split second, less than that maybe, four figures, vanishing into nothing...

"Chip?" You turned back to your sister "Hey, you listening? why in the hell would Rose just run off like that?" Diana folded her arms, staring at You inquisitively "Aren't you worried?"

"Of course I am... but she's strong, Didi, We'll have plenty of time to sort these things out after the Ritual... You are ready for this right, you know what it means?" You asked, scooting a little close to Diana, your beautiful dark-haired sister flushing as You drew in

"W-Well... I think so... It sounds... very binding."

"And you're okay with that? being Bound to me?" You asked curiously. Your sister smirked slightly, brushing one of your midnight hairs from your handsome face

"We already are bound, Chip, by blood." She said with a real certainty in her tone. You smiled, leaning down and kissing her warm lips lovingly

"Come on, the ritual will be ready soon."

Before long Vulcan was yelling at the other Noxium to help her move her massive machines, the crazed blonde licking her lips as 3 or 4 of them grunted harshly, pushing the huge tools into the corners as they screeched in protest to being moved around "PUT YO BACK INTO IT YOU JELLY-BABBIES!" She commanded as You chuckled, happy to see all of them working together.

Everybody was doing their part, Diana was carefully moving the cluttered desks and huge stacks of paper while Belle managed to shove a massive Iron press on her own, her Vampiric muscles inflating as the press clanked into the wall, she flicked her brown hair chuckling girlishly as she noticed you staring.

"Charlie... could you lend me a hand?" Namina asked, Her small form dwarfed by the colossal automatic-hammer that stood intimidatingly on the west side of the room

"Sure thing, Mina." You nodded, striding over to the easily 10-foot machine with gusto. people turned to you, Muninn, in particular, raising an eyebrow

"You need any extra help there, charlie? that thing has to weigh like 500 pounds!" The Blonde Raven said as You positioned in front of it.

"550, if ya want to be accurate," Vulcan said with a twitchy wink, but You shrugged, taking in a faint breath as your hand pressed against the cold steel

"550 huh?" that devilish grin swept across your face again as You reached within, gathering a thimble-full of your mountain-like strength and promptly gave the Machine a little nudge.

It was as easy as lightly pushing a wicker basket out of the way, the massive Auto-Hammer, sliding back and groaning as it thumped harshly against the wall.

You grinned darkly, cracking your knuckles as Mina and some others looked at You starstruck for a moment

"Good Gravy." Namina whispered, watching your shimmering aura of darkness

"Good to see that My training is paying off. We ready yet Rudy!?" You called, the golden head of that crazed southern bell pricking up and smiling

"Yessir... oh hold ya horses, NEW BLOOD, HOMUNCULUS, COME HITHER!" she said, pointing to Belle and Diana, the former moving forward confusedly and Your sister stepping towards Vulcan fearlessly.

Rudy narrowed her eyes at them, grabbing at their cheeks and measuring their faces, much to their annoyance "Hmmm, what to do for you... Pretty brown lady..." Rudy said to Belle

"Hey... that's kinda racist you know-" Belle was cut off by Rudy licking her lips hungrily

"Ah, yes, yes... I know just what to give you... but what about the fleshy woman?" Rudy turned to Diana, whose arms were crossed in a very "If you touch me again then I'll shoot you" Kind of way.

Rudy rubbed her chin, lapping her lips again with her long dark tongue "Hmmm, never had to choose for a Human before... but you certainly are a little scary, aren't ya honey? AHA! I HAVE JUST THE THANG!"

Vulcan whizzed towards the west corner wall like a bullet, then bounced like a ping-pong ball to the other side, before suddenly reappearing before the two of them.

She held two masks in each of her hands, holding them up in front of them, "A White for the pretty brown dove!" Rudy tossed Belle a stark white mask, circular and smooth, it's face fixed with a porcelain doll-like visage "And a Dark queen for the Master's Sister!"

Diana's mask was pentagonal, midnight black with lined ridges running down its face, the jaw was smooth and sharp with a pronounced nose like a serpent's snout, although from the forehead up was a tiara-like shape that was simultaneously jagged but graceful

"Thanks, I guess," Diana said, observing her black mask with Belle as Vulcan turned her Pink eyes to you

"ALL SET, BOSS!" She cried, standing in the middle of the mostly full hall, everyone gathered around her in preparation of the Ritual's beginning.

Everybody was looking at You again... but this time, you did feel the pressure... You had read about the Ritual in the Gerix library but, you were far from an expert, and so as You nervously chuckled, scooting over to a particular lady in your group, you whispered: "I don't suppose that You could... lend me a hand?"

Storm grey eyes looked up at You in surprise and wonder "Y-You... want my help?" Muninn whispered in surprise "But... You said-"

"Now would be a great time to earn back some of my trust, Moonie. Please, help me out." You said with a smile, The Blonde nodded happily, her warm smile shining brighter than ever as she cleared her throat.

"Alright everyone, let's get started!" Muninn called, clicking her fingers at the group like a snappy mother "You know the drill form the circle, Harkins over here, Mystar over here, come on Barnabus, Noctus over here! we haven't got all night!"

Muninn ushered the Noxium into a triangular circle around the room, split into the three types of Vampire respectively around you.

On the Left, a Dozen or so Harking were gathered in the circle, strong and powerful.

To your right were the Mystar, fast and Mesmerising, their red eyes staring inquisitively as You looked just ahead of you to the last group.

There were less Noctus in the Noxium than you had expected, but it wasn't a problem, you would have plenty of opportunities to swell your ranks as soon as you got things started.

There you were, in the middle of the beginning, the real beginning, looking at your Noxium clan and nodding with approval "I want to say... thank you, all of you. I swear on the Blood, You will be rewarded tenfold for your service." Many smiled back at you, though some were uncertain, none the less you meant it and it would get through to all of them in the end.

"Faces out ladies and gents! face down, OOOOH I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE MY LITTLE BEAUTIES AGAIN!" Vulcan cried. In a sudden rapture of dead blood, all sinking their ivory fangs into their palms and rubbing their faces scarlet

"M'halia!" The Noxium all boomed, a smokey aura of runic power hovering above them all as hundreds of masks each appeared over their faces, of every shape, size and colour, all Unique... Vulcan might be crazy, but damn was she dedicated to her craft

"Surrender unto our Lord!" Huginn moved first, raising his Emerald green Crow's mask, stepping forward, his ear length golden hair swaying as He placed it face at your feet so that the inside lay open to you "My undeath is yours, lord of darkness, forever and always." whispered the Crow with a prideful smile on his face.

Next was Muninn, her own Blue mask placed carefully next to her brother's "Forever and always, Lord Nox." the blonde echoed. One by one, they came forth, presenting their masks to you, "Forever and always, Our Lord."

"My Undeath for you, Forever and always..."

"I am yours, Master, forever and always," Belle said with a devoted smile, placing her new Porcelain mask at your feet

"Ugh, do I really have to say it aloud?" Diana whispered, flushing as she came forth with her new mask

"Humour me." You said, She sighed, beat red with her annoyed look

"I'll always be Yours, Bro... You know that, forever and always or whatever." Diana quickly placed her mask in the growing circle, quickly marching off.

More and more the circle of masks grew around you, Cleo's mask was placed, though she refused to look at you as she whispered a quick "Forever and always."

More and More, the space between you and your clan was filled with Noxium masks, sweetened with their individual pledges.

Only... One came forth, a woman by her shape, but she was wearing her mask, that of a kind of Bat-like visage "Forever... and... always..." She spoke in such a hushed whisper that even you had trouble picking it up.

She reached up with her gloved hand, gently unclasping the long mask... You paused, along with everyone else, they seemed intrigued on what lay underneath only... Her face was... well, bandaged, so utterly covered in the white bandages that you couldn't make out her features, she bowed respectfully, placing her mask at your feet before gracefully moving backwards

"Curious..." You thought, wondering just who she was and why she was so thoroughly covered.

"We give ourselves to you, Lord Noxium, Now, fill our masks of your mighty blood so that we might taste of your power and become one through you." Spoke Muninn, gesturing to the many masks a Your feet.

"My blood, eh? Why do these things always have to hurt, why couldn't the Ritual just be a nice afternoon tea..."

You removed your coat, slipping the black bomber over your shoulders and tossing it aside, rolling up your shirt's sleeves the smooth material sliding up to your hard biceps.

The pain of drawing blood was such a minuscule thing to you now, even as your thick claws traced along the pale skin of your forearms, a waterfall of Blackish-red gore slithering down your hands like scarlet snakes, the red ichor pooling and coiling in the inside of the masks that you poured the hissing broth into, the Noxium watching as Your Lord's blood filled their masks one by one.

It took less time than you expected to fill them all, after only a few moments a hundred or so masks had still pools of clotted blood in their faces, and you stood straight, looking to Muninn expectantly, her stormy eyes looking at your bloody arms with a rampant hunger

"Come, Noxium, the Blood of the Lord must be mixed with the Blood of the children." They did as she bid, each member slicing at their flesh to add their own blood to their masks, picking them up ceremoniously, their red eyes hovering over the mixture in ripe anticipation.

You couldn't help but feel a little strange about it all, You wondered if this was a mass Undead tradition or if this were simply how the Gerix did things, still, it lurked inside, this strange feeling, dark and twisted, it growled inside and whispered into your ears, a whisper that shook you to the core, as it was a tone that You recognised

"I usually make a point to simply observe, but this is a historical moment... listen to me, Kiddo, don't react, they cannot see me, only You can see me, and the small parts of me that are in you."

"I really don't like it when you get into my head, Kvasir." You thought, looking back into your head to see the dark sprite that dwarfed even your colossal beast

"Oh poppycock, you are a strong one, so no whining, just... relax, feel the darkness inside, let it seep through your pores and do as I say, say as I say."

Do as it says, Beloved.

"...Beast? wait... who are you? you aren't the Beast, I know your voice, how are you people in my head!?

"Just relax, do as I do, Say as I say."

You gritted your teeth, eyes flashing as shadow oozed from your body.

The Vampires around you froze, looking in wonder, a smokey black shadow emanating from your aura draping you in a cloak of darkness, and in those moments you felt yourself move... it wasn't like being controlled, no, this was like, having instruction imprinted on your brain, you knew just what to do and you did it, spoke it.

"The Blood that You hold in your visages now, is a dark thing." You stared at them all through the cloak of black, eyes burning as You whispered venom "Darker than a starless sky, darker than the jet, buried in the recesses of the earth, My lord's blood is not ashy stone-like urantus or the quivering milk of the weasel Corvus, this blood is of the Purest, the mixture of the accursed **** that resides within us all, but also of the never-ending life, of the Blood god Cain."

The Noxium whispered to one another in shock, looking in awe as You actually began to float, stepping up into the air in your cloud of smoke

"T-The purest?"

"He is the descendent of our blood-god!"

"Hail the Purest!"

You stared down at them all, your voice rumbling like thunder "Look upon my symbol." You reached into the shadow, branding the air with the insignia of a Wide winged beast, scaled and black as night, just liek the one on your coffin "The Black Drake; our Noxium symbol, draw It on your hearts, see it in your mind's eye, and speak after Me."

They all looked up at You, holding their blood-filled masks like sacred ewers, eyes wide with wonder as the Monsterous darkness that surrounded you.

They spoke the oath of blood thusly:

"We are the shadow that moves in the night, living in darkness to protect the light. Beasts of **** with an iron will, the Blood of the innocent we do not spill. Feast on our foes, dripping with strife, we drink of the blood, because blood is the Life. To conquer the Hideous Beast deep within, Make pact with the Night and let the Hunt begin."

They spoke the oath and it blazed in their chests, inscribed into them all, this was your will incarnate, these were your people now, and they quivered at Your command "Drink, drink deeply, and let the Hunt begin."

A Hundred mouths, gorged on the mixed blood, You saw them all, red passing their lips as they drained their masks... Your eye twitched, and your bones began to ache, your muscles vibrated as the Beast began to scream

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

"UGH, WHAT'S HAPPENING!?"

With the raging wrath of a hurricane, your shadowy aura exploded with power, making the Noxium around you brace as the **** of it blew everything around, a deathly gale spiralling through the air, cutting into the floorboards, screaming with a singular message

"MORE, BRING ME MORE, COME TO ME, BECOME ONE WITH THE DARKNESS."

You could feel him growing, growling, the Beast was becoming stronger, the Vampire's in your red sea shone as they anchored into you, the tsunami of power rocking you to the core, the shadows around you raged, it was too much, all of these people empowering your black soul... it was... it was... Your eyes became heavy, and as you felt yourself begin to fall, You slipped into unconsciousness.