Darkness had fallen across the land, as night made itself known once more. The wind blew ever so cold as the abandoned building lay silent and dormant. It wouldn't be that way for long though. Ever since the Lord and Lady of the House had been slain, the place had been invaded time and time again by creatures of the night. Thieves and petty criminals searching to fill their pockets on the despair of the rich. Some were justified in their looting. Others did it for the sick thrill.

They saw her. Her. Rumors had festered that the House's single daughter was spared of her gruesome fate. That the Croffin family had one remaining member left to carry its blood. To them, she was no longer royalty or that of someone with considerable wealth. She was a wench. Just some pampered brat who got in the way of their spoils.

They chased her. They would kill her. And worse. Much, much worse. She was of age, was she not?

All these thoughts and more swarmed their filthy minds as they pillaged the House of Croffin once more. Funny. They never even took a second thought or look at what might be lurking down in the lower levels of the manor.

Down in the basement....

The basement was dark. The only light would've come from the locked window. The full moon gleamed brightly allowing some light to shine in illuminating the room. But, there was one corner of the room.

One corner where the light didn't reach.

A small form huddled to the wall. Her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. Her face buried in her blue dress. Dirtied from the dirt and dust that littered the floor of the unused basement.

Her dark brown hair covered her head in long stands.

Her body was shaking with silent sobs knowing she was going to die. And a part of her welcomed it. Knowing she'd be with her parents soon.

The quiet sobs were loud enough to cut through the darkness. They were like a beacon. A call. To her side.

The sound of mortal men became apparent, and four of them appeared. Having never been in this part of he manor before, they each looked around in wonder and surprise. They were dressed in ragged garments, smoking on half chewed cigars and further defining the Croffin name. Not that it mattered at this point.

"Who knew these rich folk had a whole 'nother level down here?"

"I'm glad we didn't come here first. This place reeks!"

"Shut up and keep looking. The girl ran down here, right? She can lead us to more of her family's goodies. If not, then she'll at least keep us busy for the night."

"Hey! Over there!" The men located the sobbing girl and ceased her by the arms. One of them produced a jagged knife and held it to her throat. "Say now, you wanna help make us rich? I guarantee it'll be worth your life, heh."

That's when they noticed the body in the far corner of the darkness. A corpse more like it. It looked too old to be anything recent, ancient even. Ignoring the smell coming off from it, the men smirked at the girl.

"See that man? You'll be looking like him real soon if you keep silent, girl."

Angela shrinked more into the wall wishing it would swallow her up. But, alas, it didn't. She heard the male voices get closer and whimpered knowing this was it. This was how she was going to die.

Next thing she knew she was grabbed by her arms making her gasp at the tight grip. Then, another man held a knife against her throat making her tense trying her best not to move knowing if she did the knife would cut her.

She never had a good pain tolerance.

Then, they started taunting her asking if she'd like to make them rich. Honestly, she very much wouldn't. She was picturing their death in her head wishing with all her might it would come true.

As they taunted her she stayed silent. Not allowing them to hear her voice which would be shaky with her fear.

That's when they all noticed it. The horrid smell coming from the side of the room. Angela let out a startled cry jumping a bit causing the knife held against her to draw blood, it sliding down her neck in a thick red drop.

Now, she was terrified.

Then, the man said she'd basically end up dead if she didn't help them. She took a deep breath but kept mouth shut. Guess she's gonna die then.

She was not gonna let a bunch of low life thieves steal everything from her parents. She was not going to let their legacy be just.....gone.

The man with the knife gave her an annoyed glare. "Looks like this bitch refuses to talk. Fine, you'll just die like your parents then." He raised the weapon high to strike...only to put it away and grin. "But first we're gonna have a little fun. Don't think you're getting off easy with us just killing you. You look eighteen to me..." Pulling her closer, the man breathed over Angela, his hot and rancid breath pouring over her face. "So boys, who wants to have her first?"

"Ooh, me! I haven't had a good one since the divorce."

"Wait your turn you damn fool! She has to be made tender."

"Heh, I can't wait to...what is that?"

The four men remained silent as their ears registered something else. Another sound besides the girl's quiet sobbing. It was the sound of someone sniffing. And it was coming from the corpse. Perplexed, all four men turned their gazes over there, only to be startled by a most amazing and impossible sight.

The corpse was moving. Standing up and walking towards them. It's body and face looked horrifically burned but it's clothes were very much intact. A tuxedo suit with a crimson tie, dark boots and a pair of white gloves. The attire of a butler. The creature sulked down on its knees and began to crawl to Angela's feet. Still stunned, the men looked on in wonder as the corpse finally stopped sniffing and found its source: the drop of blood that had fallen from on the floor.

The girl's blood.

Producing a black tongue, the creature lapped at the droplet. Immediately upon doing so, it's body began to change. Flesh and bone replaced once where none was, and hair began to spread out in clumps. No longer was it a corpse but a man now. Pale skin crowned with pitch black hair finalized by a pair of blood red eyes.

Those very same eyes looked up now at the restrained girl.

"Are you the one who has given me this gift?"

Angela had winced flinching once she saw the scum raise the knife in order to stab her. She closed her eyes praying her death would be quick. Only not to feel the stab. She opened her eyes in confusion.

Only for them to widen in horror. She might have been 18 but, she'd never had.....relations with a man. And she was not gonna give up her virginity to these.....animals!

He pulled her closer and she began struggling for the first time. Trying to get out of his hold. Yet, as they fought to see who would get her first something impossible happened.

The corpse from before got up. It's face was terribly burned. It then began walking over to them. Angela was frozen in terror. It was dressed the way her butlers did back when she still had them.

Before they betrayed her.

The corpse then, once it got to them, dropped to it's knees and leaned down to where a drop of her blood was. The cut on her neck had started steadily bleeding. A trail of red blood had trailed down her neck into her cleavage. And it seems in the struggle a drop had landed on the ground by her feet.

Then, things got even more strange.

The creature opened it's mouth to reveal a black tongue. Then, almost instantaneously the creature started healing and within moments turned into a fully healed man. Quite attractive as well.

Yet, she was still in shock. Her blood had done this?

Then, the man asked her if she'd been the one to give him this gift. Well, it seems her blood did all this so it seems so.

"Um, I believe I did yes." She said nervously keeping her eyes locked on his.

The butler smirked as he stood up to his full height now. "You are Croffin." He said this with no hesitation, as if already knowing that she was of royal blood. Blinking out of their trance, the man dug the knife a bit further into Angela's neck.

"S-Stay back! I don't know who...or what the hell you are, but one step closer and I'll-"

"Silence mutt!"

The butler turned his crimson gaze on him and genuine anger could be seen there. Yelping, the man finally released the girl and backed away. The butler turned to Angela once more and grinned. His teeth were not human, almost animal teeth. "You, who have summoned me. You, who has given me purpose! I serve you eternally." He bowed in recognition to the young girl.

"I am the Shadow of the Croffin family. Their most brilliant achievement...and deadliest weapon. Your ancestors called me many things. However, your father christened me...Damien." The man rose up once more. "What is your bidding my Lady? I will serve...eternally."

"Alright, that's enough!" The man with the knife ran forward and plunged the thing deep into Damien's chest....only to squeak in fear as the butler turned his head and grinned.

"Ahahaha, is that all little pig? Command me, my Lady. Order me to tear out their innards and flesh out their bones! To consume and devour these pathetic souls who are nothing than meat! Do it, my Lady! Do it, so I may prove my loyalty to the Croffin name through blood!"

A dark and sickening aura began to fill the basement, and the knife in Damien began to slide out on its own, clattering to the floor.

Angela watched him, her fear gone and replaced by curiosity. Especially when he called her by her family name. How did he know that? From tasting her blood? Who-or better yet what- was he?

Angela winced in pain as the man dug the knife into her neck more causing the blood that was starting to slow down start up again. The man began babbling to stay away or he'd do something.

She wasn't sure what as he didn't get to continue as the man interrupted him. Calling him a mutt. He then glared at the man. It scared her and apparently the scum too as he quickly let go of her backing away.

Angela reached up to her neck and felt the long cut wincing on contact. She pulled her fingers back to reveal blood.

Then, the person turned to Angela before giving her a smile. A wide tooth smile but his teeth weren't normal human teeth. But, that of an animals. He then told her that he'll serve her eternally. Before bowing. She was wide-eyed by the end. He was in debt to her?

He then went on by saying he was the Shadow of her family. The most dangerous weapon. And her father gave him a name. Damien. "Damien." She whispered to herself seeing how it sounded.

He then rose asking what she wished of him. She was in shock. How was she suppose to answer that? How would anyone answer that?

Then, the man from before finally spoke up and stabbed Damien in the chest. This made Angela gasp. Her hands going to her mouth in shock. Though, Damien didn't fall dead. Instead, he laughed. Before he asked Angela to command him to kill the men.

Angela looked down in thought. She hesitated. She then remembered everything they've done. What they would've done. Angela's hand went to her throat just brushing over the cut wincing before pulling her hand back to reveal blood.

She looked down. This was her mother's dress and....it was ruined due to her blood. It would never come out. She'd made her decision.

Angela looked to Damien with tears in her eyes yet she was determined. "Kill them." She said to Damien with hatred in her eyes for those scum.

"As you wish, my Lady."

Like a demon from Hell, Damien pounced on the first man. With his gloved hand, he tore through the throat, killing him on the spot. But he didn't stop there. Oh no. What he did next horrified the other three and chilled their blood. Parting open his jaws, Damien lowered his head to the man's neck. Then he bit into him. Consuming him, eating him alive. He was feasting at inhuman speeds, tearing apart flesh and spilling fresh blood. It was so fast. In mere seconds the man was nothing more than a skeleton, blood still dripping down the bones.

Before the men could react, two more arms sprouted from Damien's back and he dragged the next two toward him. With a screech, he began his feast once more, ignoring the screams and pleas of the forms beneath him. His eyes were that of an animal's, inhuman and devoid of all compassion.

The last of the men finally got his bearings and turned to flee. Finished from his meal, Damien leapt from the fresh skeletons and crawled his way over to the the lone survivor in a spider like fashion. Pouncing on him once more, Damien paused to wipe his bloodied mouth with his gloved hand.

The thief looked up at him in fear. "W....what are you!"

Damien ignored his question and leaned down closer. "You threatened my Lady. You threatened to kill and defile her." He bit the man's neck, not quite killing him but registering a gurgled cry. "That is punishable by immediate consumption."

"...p-please...God have mercy!"

Damien smirked viciously. "Silly pig. Your God isn't here. As for your pathetic pleas of mercy..." With one final screech, the butler began devouring the thief wholly. The sound of flesh being torn apart and pained screams filled the basement until the deed was done.

Rising up from the new collection of corpses, Damien walked back to his new master, the extra limps slowly crumpling away from his body and deteriorating on the floor. No doubt she was horrified as to what just occurred. "It is done my Lady." He took a bow of approval before noticing the deep wound on her neck and the tears in her eyes.

"Do not despair my Lady. No being shall harm you again."

Angela hadn't known what she'd done until it was too late. She watched in horror as one by one Damien slaughtered and ate them all. She felt her mental walls crack and knew she'd never forget what she saw.

She'd never forget the sounds of blood splattering and flesh being ripped apart and bones breaking apart. It was a terrifying sight. Worse than that was the sounds.

You could cover or close your eyes and not have to witness it. BUT, you can always hear it. Even if you cover your ears you can still hear the muffled sounds.

And that is what's terrifying to her.

After he was done with his....meal he walked over to her. Before bowing and saying how it was done. And that was what made guilt well in her stomach.

It was her fault.

Yes, they did deserve to die. But, did they deserve the infinite pain of being eaten alive? She wasn't sure.

Damien then asked her not to be upset as no harm will ever come to her. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand wiping away tears.

"T-thank you Damien." She stuttered out, what just happened still playing over and over again in her mind.

Damien bent down to her level, reaching in his pocket and fishing out a spare handkerchief. Reaching over, he gently began to clean the girl's wound on her neck. The sudden contrast of character was a bit jarring to say the least. To have him as a loyal butler one moment only to turn into a cannabilistic creature the next would take some getting used to.

"You are the only one left," he observed, finally dabbing away at the blood and cleaning it fully. He would have to wash the cut out later. "The only Croffin left." He casually took the same cloth and began cleaning his own blood stained mouth as well. "I can sense you have many questions my Lady. Simply know that I am in service to your family for all eternity. I am also not human." Wasn't that obvious?

Another smirk graced his lips. That would take some getting used to as well. "Under the circumstances, I had no choice but to place your safety as the first priority. But now that we are alone, you have ruling power over the situation. The reason why you have never heard of my presence is simple. Some of your anscestors chose not to utilize my services. Some deploy me as a defense mechanism, while others simply place me here."

"So here I ask you, my Lady. What would you have me do? Understand that if you allow me to serve you once more, I will become nothing more than tool. A weapon by your hand." His grin widened slightly, his crimson eyes focusing on the young girl before him.

"I am the gun and you are the hand that fires me. I am the hound who hunts for you, the master. I am the soldier, and you are my general. I am the scythe that cuts all before me, and you are my Reaper! I will ravage this world if you so command and desire it my Lady! All shall be devoured in your name alone! I will become a plague of death to all who threaten my Lady, a walking apocalypse!"

The butler paused. "All I ask is one thing in return if you so choose to accept my services. To be fed. My hunger is one that cannot be sated. That is all."

Damien bowed once more to his new master. "Do you accept, Lady of Croffin? Do you accept my protection and servitude? If so, repeat to me the title of my new master. Repeat what I may address you as, my Lady."

He looked up, red eyes meeting hers.

"Tell me your name."

Angela tensed when he leaned towards her only to relax when he took out a handkerchief and began to clean the wound. She winced every once in a while but for the most part she studied him.

How could someone so dangerous and cannibalistic one minute be so kind and gentle the next? That, she didn't understand.

After he was done he explained. And by the end she was baffled. Like he'd said, he was the gun and she was the holder. She saw what he could do. He was dangerous and powerful. It was like giving a child a gun and telling them to do what they wanted with it.

Then, there was the hunger. Out of all the possibilities of things he could do for her there was of course one thing. Hunger. He needed to be fed. And she had a good idea of what he meant. She glanced at the bones of the dead men.

He then bowed and then it was decision making time. Would she accept his help? If she did all she had to do was tell him her name. Angela thought of everything he said and about what the pros and cons were. She actually thought. Just like her father taught her.

She then made her decision. She let her eyes meet his confidently.

"My name.....is Angela. Angela Croffin. And I accept your protection and servitude."

"Angela....Croffin...." He repeated the words on his tongue, getting a feel for his new master. "Very well, my Lady. From hence forth I will do as you command. My servitude begins...now." Damien scooped down and picked Angela up bridal style. Making sure she was comfortable, he led the way back to the surface, exiting the dark basement for good. When they reached the top, they were met by bright sunlight. Morning had come, giving off a warm radiance in the other wise abandoned manor.

Of course, that still couldn't change the fact that it was abandoned in the first place. But at least now there was another presence in the house. One that was always there to begin with. Bringing Angela to one of the many restrooms, Damien dug through the drawers until finding a bottle of rubbing alcohol and more cloth.

Approaching the young Croffin, Damien said, "This will sting. But not as much as my fangs." Was...that supposed to comfort her? Regardless, the butler dabbed the cloth in the alcohol before applying it to the wound on her neck.

"Has my Lady thought about her next plan of action? With no living family left behind, where will she go in this cruel world?" He continued cleaning the cut gently.

"Furthermore, my Lady has shown no fear of me as of yet." He grinned. "I adore a strong master."

Angela nodded glad he accepted her. So, she was his new master. This should be interesting. Then, before she could blink, he lifted her up bridal style. This caused her to gasp in shock.

Then Damien proceeded to carry her up to the surface before he then carried her to one of the many restrooms before sitting her on the toilet before rummaging in the medicine cabinet. Angela watched him curiously as he got some rubbing alcohol and cloth.

He then proceeded to freak her out by then saying it would sting but not as much as his fangs. This caused her eyes to widen, they flickered to his mouth as if checking for fangs.

Was that suppose to be comforting?

He then began cleaning her cut. It stung but she'd felt worse so she toughened up not making a sound.

He then questioned her about her next plan of action. She'd never really thought of it but she did have an emergency plan she never thought she'd have to use. Her parents idea.

"I do actually. I'm honestly thinking about going far away from here. Start over. The only thing I can do."

She had nothing here. Her parent's people had turned against the family without a second thought. And if she stayed, she'd be in constant danger and besides......she doesn't think she could stand living in the place her parents died.

She then was shook from those thoughts with a blush when he commented on her braveness. How she wasn't scared of him.

"I find it difficult to be terrified of the man that saved my life and pledged his loyalty to me."

"Running away? I would think you'd want to discover why your family was murdered." Concern? Apparently not as the butler shrugged the thought away. "As you wish, my Lady. We shall travel abroad to tour the world. If that's what you humans do." On the comment about her not being afraid, the butler smirked, showing off his inhuman anatomy of teeth again. Along with the smirking, that too was starting to become a bad habit.

"Yes, I suppose it would prove difficult to fear an eternal servant...which reminds me, my Lady. Do you prefer my current form as I am now?" He paused a moment to let that sink in her head. "When the two of us met, I was under the guise of a walking corpse." His eyes flashed for an instant.

"But I can do so much more, my Lady! Form and shape bear no meaning to me! Watch."

His body began to contort, twisting, turning, and grinding in on itself. Bones relocated and flesh transformed...until a completely different person stood on front of Angela. Damien has transformed now...into a girl her age. The only registration that she was still the butler was the suit, the black hair, and the red eyes.

The female Damien giggled once. "Would you prefer me in this form?" His body began to melt together again, this time in the shape of a large black hound. "Or this one?" The dog licked Angela's knee once before turning back into the familiar face of the original Damien.

"The choice is yours to see fit my Lady! My kind are especially adept in changing our external appearances." He chuckled darkly at that.

Angela looked down thought. It's true, she would honestly like to find out why her parents were murdered. Yet, her parents told her that if any harm ever came to one of them to run. Should she do what she thinks is right or follow her parents instruction? She thought for a few seconds but, made her choice.

"Your right. I think I will find out why my parents were killed." Her parents gave her instructions for if one of them were killed. Not both. So, she really had nothing to really live for. Except to find out the truth and avenge her family.

So, she will definetly find out the truth.

He then asked her if she preferred his current form. Saying he could change his form and telling her top watch. She didn't exactly understand what he meant by that. "Of course Damien, why do you-?" Before she could finish her sentence Damien started transforming......into a girl. Then, into a dog.

Then, back to the original Damien.

To be honest, She wasn't sure what to think. After all, she did just see a man turn into a woman then into a dog. How would you react? But, she did know wich Damien-form She preferred.

"I believe I like the form you are in right now."

"Hmpf. You're no fun."

Staying in the current form he was in, Damien finished cleaning the wound on his master's neck before putting the supplies away. Leading Angela out into the grand hallway, he looked down on her to give her a knowing smirk. "Before we go hunting for answers, my Lady, there is something of current and dire interest that I must voice aloud before we continue." His grin got wider.

"I seek food. Now."

---

Somewhere, not too far away from the mansion, was a small hotel. Big enough to accompany the guest of the hour here of course, but small enough to lay low. At least, for the time being. Sitting in the dingy room on the equally filthy bed was a man with hair that looked liked some cross between being blonde and brunette. He wore naught by a dark jacket, pants, and some shades that hid well the scar running down his face.

Vincent Croffin had fallen low. Lower than dirt. This...all of this was now his new kindgom. Something to rule everlasting now. How annoying.

Snapping his fingers, the man took out a fresh cigar. "Selene! Get over here and make yourself useful."

Angela rolled her eyes laughing a bit as he said she was no fun. She didn't want him to turn into a girl due to her not exactly getting along with the opposite sex. And she didn't want him to turn into a dog considering she used to have one. Only he died years before.

Brought back unsettling memories she'd rather forget.

Damien then led her to into the hallway before he told her something unexpected. She knew this would come eventually but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon. His hunger. She looked down in thought trying to remember anywhere he could hunt or something. Her eyes lit up with an idea.

"I've got it! There is a place at the end of town where most of the criminals hang out. You could feed there."

Her parents were meaning to do something about that but....they never got the chance. Neither did she either.
_____________________________________________

Selene was cleaning the bathroom. When they arrived it was disgusting. She would not allow her master to be in these conditions! It didn't take long to clean though and within moments it was sparkling. Right as she finished her master called her.

So, she quickly walked into the bedroom and took out the lighter her master had given her before she lit the cigar. She didn't feel upset at all that he basically called her useless.

To her, she believed she could always do better in order to make him happy. She'd do anything for him after all.

Damien's eyes flashed at the prospect of unsuspecting prey. "Is that so? That sounds delicious...However....my Lady, I cannot lead you to such atrocious territory at this time of day. Your safety comes first." Well, at least he knew priority. You couldn't blame him for that. "My species does not necessarily need to feed on flesh," he continued. "If it's edible, I will consume anything. As such..." He glanced at the rising sun outside. It would be mid-morning soon.

"I believe this is what you humans call, "breakfast"? I shall take the liberty of making us both meals." With that, he led Angela into the abandoned kitchen. Taking in the eerie sight, his grin widened an inch. Now then, Angela would witness the butler aspect of his eternal services.

---

Not at all impressed by Selene's handiwork, Vincent took a long draw of the now burning cigar. "Tell me Selene. You made sure to butcher every last member of my family, yes?" He fixed her with a cold, hard stare now. "I take it we won't be having any visitors, right? I intend to visit the old manor just to make sure everything....is in order."

Angela felt herself blush when Damien refused to feed not wanting her to be in the dangerous environment. Well isn't that sweet, she couldn't but think with a smile towards Damien. She then listened attentively as he began to give away more information about his species.

Not bothering to hide her smile once he mentioned breakfast. She couldn't help it. She hadn't eaten in a while and was quite hungry. So, she leaned against the wall allowing Damien his space.
__________

Selene stood up straight and tall by her master's side after lighting his cigar. She answered his inquiries with a emotionless voice. After being commanded a while ago not to be all smiley. It was annoying. So, she didn't smile anymore unless it was in order to trick her prey or gain information.

"I've sent the men over to the estate as you've told me. They should be back soon with news." Personally, she would've preferred to kill them herself but she held that down, following her master's order