My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 141: Wasteland

Joshua filled his lungs with air as he took a deep breath. He had just arrived in the special plane reserved for the dead. Captain Raven was currently kneeling on the ground gasping for air. As if this place did not agree with him.

"Well? How does it feel to be free?" Joshua asked in a calm voice.

Raven, did not reply immediately, his body was still in shock from being dragged into this place. He looked around manically as he tried to ascertain where he was. However, all that he could see was a wasteland. The place was a complete replica of the castle and its grounds. He assumed that beyond the walls would be an accurate replica of the city.

However, the castle was in complete ruins, as though the place had gone through the ravages of time. The stone was crumbling, there were holes in the walls and floors. The place gave off a deathly silence, enough to chill a person to the bones. It made him feel entirely uncomfortable.

"What is this place?" Raven asked with a wavering voice.

"I'm not entirely sure, to be honest, but I feel connected to it. I just felt this place calling to me as if it is a part of me." Joshua responded with a voice that sounded like the grave.

Joshua suddenly felt intoxicated, he could feel a sense of power and energy rushing into his body. He had never felt better in his life. This had surely been worth working with Celia. He wondered how she was doing right about now. Apparently, something had gone wrong when she had tried to uphold her and of their deal. In the middle of his transformation, she had tried to kill him. Actually, she really had killed him.

For some reason, he had survived despite this. In his anger, he had attacked her and thought that he had left her for dead. According to what he had heard, she had survived though. He was slightly displeased with this outcome. If he got the chance, he would return and finish the job. What took priority right now was for him to figure out all of the changes that had occurred to his body.

So far, everything that he had done had been purely on instinct. He could sense that he was capable of so much more. The feeling was extremely gratifying, it gave him a new lease on life, so to speak. He had no idea about what he had become, all he knew was that he liked it. Now that he had taken this new form, he could sense that he was more powerful than Raven.

He would not abandon his captain though, he still owed him so much. There was another issue that they had to deal with first. They still had to save the other crew members. The problem is that the whole castle would be on high alert searching for them. Although he had held his ground earlier, it was still uncertain if he would be able to do so against stronger vampires.

His gaze swept over the ruins, searching for anything that could be of use. He even wondered if this place would have an exact replica of the castle's armoury, including the weapons that were housed within. If not, then he would have to find a way to save them without being discovered. For now, he would just spend his time trying to get used to his new abilities.

"Captain, do you have any idea what I am now?" Joshua asked Raven in hopes of discovering a bit more about himself. After all, the captain had seen much in his lifetime. There was a good chance that he might have some idea.

"I have not got a bloody clue!" Raven replied with a serious voice. 'If I did then I certainly would not tell you! Especially if I knew the effect that it would have on your mind!'

It was clear to Raven that Joshua's mindset had changed rather drastically, along with his appearance. His long brown hair had now turned black with streaks of grey through it. When solid, his skin was a sickly grey colour. Every few minutes, his body would turn transparent. As though he were not really there.

It made Captain Raven feel extremely concerned for the situation that he now found himself in. He was sure of one thing though if he wanted to return, he would definitely need Joshua's help to do so. This was not ideal as Joshua was only concerned with getting him away from Queen Sonja.

Sure it was a great idea in theory. However, that was only when you did not take Sonja's personality into the equation. Raven was certain that Sonja would take his disappearance personally. She would most likely take her anger out on his crew. Even if he left him behind to gain his own freedom, then it was likely that she would hunt him down for the rest of his life.

Raven was not confident in being able to run from her forever. She would catch him eventually, and the longer that he made her search for him, the more painful she would make it when she got her hands on him. He shivered slightly as he considered all the things that she might do to him. What concerned him more was that he could sense, just like Joshua, that he was no match for him anymore. So he could not even threaten him, or use force to get what he wanted. He was entirely at Joshua's mercy.

'For now, I had better just entertain him. Hopefully, I can find a way to trick him into returning me before it's too late.' Raven thought with a hint of determination. A cold wind ran through the castle ruins, carrying the sound of some ancient beast upon it.' Oh fuck, what the hell was that now!' Raven perked his ears up as he listened to the howl.

He failed to notice as Joshua's head turned towards a specific direction. His eyes lit up with a green glow, his heart, no his very soul was being drawn towards the creature that had made the noise