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Chapter 7: The First Spark
The scout knelt in the courtyard, wrists bound, a gash on his temple still fresh. He was young—mid-twenties maybe. Dirt-smudged skin, tattered gear, but sharp eyes that watched everything. Not trembling. Not pleading.
Lucas approached from the ruined stairwell, cloak trailing behind him. The air was still, tension humming through every shadow.
"He didn't resist much," one of the guards reported. "Made it past the outer line. Nearly reached the tower."
Lucas nodded, stepping closer to the prisoner.
The scout raised his head. "You gonna drain me, vampire?"
"Not yet," Lucas replied evenly. "Name?"
"Aaron. From Southridge."
Southridge. That meant organized settlements still stood to the east—armed, surviving, and likely terrified of vampires rebuilding a fortress this close to their border.
Lucas opened his interface discreetly.
[Diplomatic Path Engaged]
Target: Human Scout – Civil Affiliation Detected
Options: Interrogation / Release / Alliance Seed / Memory Wipe (Requires Tech Lab)
Note: First Contact – Your decision will shape public reputation among human outposts.
"You came alone?" Lucas asked.
Aaron shifted slightly. "They didn't want to risk more. Figured one corpse would be enough of a warning."
Lucas crouched beside him, studying the human's face. "What did you expect to find?"
"A blood cult. Murder. Maybe a throne made of bones."
Lucas gave a faint smile. "Not a bad guess. But wrong."
He rose to his feet. "We're building a home. Not a warfront."
Aaron scoffed. "With walls?"
"With threats all around," Lucas said. "You have walls too."
Silence settled between them. Then, without fanfare, Lucas gestured to the guards.
"Let him go."
"What?" one of the soldiers blinked.
"Unbind him. Give him water. Let him walk."
They hesitated, but obeyed.
Aaron rubbed his wrists, eyeing Lucas warily. "You're letting me live?"
"Go back to your people," Lucas said. "Tell them we didn't kill you. Tell them we're not monsters."
Aaron hesitated. "They won't believe it."
"Doesn't matter. Someone has to say it first."
He turned to leave, then paused.
"If you come again, don't sneak," Lucas added. "Bring a flag. Bring words."
Aaron stared a moment longer, then gave a short, grim nod—and ran.
That night, Lucas stood alone beneath the half-constructed tower, moonlight pouring over cracked stone. Below, the soft sounds of rebuilding echoed through the fortress.
His system pulsed again.
[Diplomatic Status: Initiated]
Faction: Southridge Coalition
Trust Level: -12 (Cautious Hostility)
Progress: 1/5 Encounters to Unlock Negotiation Table
New Clan Trait Unlocked: Echo of Peace
Effect: First-time interactions with non-aggressive humans reduce hostility buildup by 15%.
A small step.
But the foundation of something greater.
Not dominance.
Not fear.
Something that could last.