The inheritance

Conrad the master vampire entered the graveyard once more. He saw that Poxig and Lakfi were sitting roasting their dinner with a spit over a fire.

“I have overheard you,” said Conrad. “You want to change me back into my former self. But it will never happen. I’ll tell you why. This manse was willed to me by my grandfather Farraday, and his father was also a vampire. We continue to consume Melmond, because that is  what we’ve always done.”

“Master Conrad!” exclaimed Poxig. ” There is always the possibility of change. Look here, is the ruby necklace that your wife once wore! Remember the love you had with your wife before you accepted this terrible inheritance. You were able to resist the dark side. Even now, you may be reformed.”

“It can never happen. My inheritance as the master vampire is too great. I will continue sucking the blood of my victims in Melmond!” shouted the creature of the night.

Lakfi thought that he was too far gone to be reformed at that point. The only way that Melmond would be free from his reign of terror was to drive a stake of holly through his heart.

Lakfi doffed his cap and pretended to listen, but then cast a stun spell. While the vampire was still under the effect of the spell, he grabbed the stake of holly and went to the makeshift overhang near the edge of the graveyard. He leaped upon it and then fell upon the vampire. He tried to drive the stake through the vain creature’s heart.

But then Poxig grabbed his hand. “No, Lakfi! There is some good in him!”

The vampire, seeing that Poxig had given him an advantage, moved over near him to suck his blood. But Poxig remembered the Latin cross that Dr. Unne had given him. He raised the cross into the air, and the vampire recoiled in fright.

Then Poxig shouted: “Conrad, grandson of Farraday! Remember Milly, who was the only woman you ever loved! She wrote on her death-bed for you to repent of your ways and turn to the god of your soul. She wanted you to be with her in the afterlife, but now your soul is headed for condemnation because you have shed innocent blood.”

“Don’t try to preach to me, you insignificant elf! You are nothing compared to my inheritance!” shouted the vampire. But a tear was visible on his eye, and Poxig knew then that he might be able to reform this prince of darkness.

“This manse is only an earthly inheritance that will soon turn into dust! But there is a more important one that exist beyond this world, in a place of unapproachable light. Milly wanted to meet you there, in the land beyond the stars,” said Poxig.

Lakfi joined Poxig when he realized that hate and darkness could not be defeated with even more black magic. “Conrad, remember those noble days when you defended your country from the elves. Now, some powerful god has sent this elf to show you that he is the god of all heroes, and that you were wrong! Why can’t you see the truth?”

Suddenly, the vampire fell to the ground, as the tears welled up in his eyes. “Oh, Milly, how have I lost you!” he exclaimed.

Poxig slowly ambled over to the vampire, holding the Latin cross in his hand. “Now, Carl, you must ask master control to forgive your sins, now that you have shed innocent blood! You must face the sun’s rays tomorrow morning!”

“Now, my only inheritance will be to be with my beloved Milly! But this is a greater inheritance than all of this great manse!”

“And you will save your soul,” said Lakfi. “But unless you face the light, you cannot go to the land of the living souls!”

“Now, I must beg of you gentlemen,” said Carl Conrad, seated on the ground, ” daylight is almost upon us.  Then, I will dissolve like snow in the spring heat. You must go tell my son, who is still amongst the living, that I have gone to join his mother.”

“We will,” said Lakfi. Poxig agreed, nodding his head.