Chapter 4: Genesis

The chirping of birds awakens me from my slumber but I immediately regret it. A piercing pain rips through me causing me to curl up in utter agony. Soon after I awaken, however, a hand presses against my skin and my eyes blast open.

Amelia: Are you ok, mistress?

For a moment the pain vanishes entirely as I stare up at her blankly. What does she mean by mistress? The only person that has ever called me that was Rose. I'm not allowed much time to ponder this much longer, however, as the pain quickly returns causing me to flinch in the process. Amelia gasps and calls out to Rose who comes rushing in.

Rose: You're awake!

My mind practically screams at her to shut up. Obviously, I am awake. Who could sleep through pain like this? This must be what giving birth feels like though if it is I can't see why anyone would do so more than once. Glancing around the room, my eyes land on Rose's sword and for a brief moment my mind decides death is a better alternative. Rose sees this though and laughs before offering me her hand.

Rose: It can't be that bad. You're just hungry.

The minute the word hunger leaves her mouth it's as though it all suddenly makes sense. What's more, there's food nearby. I can smell it. Before I can even make heads or tails of which direction it's coming from,  I find myself kneeling in front of a bonfire reaching in with my gloved hands to pull out the meat being roasted.

Necron: Uhhhhh...

A hand grabs mine before it can reach the meat and pulls it back out of the fire. Looking at who'd dare come between me and my own survival I find myself face to face with Rose. We're so close, in fact, that in turning my head my lips brush hers for a brief moment. Her eyes widen in surprise and she jumps back but all that seemingly crosses my mind is the taste she leaves behind.

Me: You taste nice.

Necron chokes on his food at this as Rose turns bright red. I didn't even know someone with skin like hers could change colour. Still, she's probably right about one thing. I really shouldn't go pushing my hand into fires. It's just that I am so hungry.

Amelia: Here you go ma'am.

Amelia hands me a bowl filled with various kinds of food. Under normal circumstances, I'd at least want to know what I am eating but right now I feel like even poison would cause me to live longer. This hunger I am feeling is truly unrivalled. I'm sure if I don't eat this dish this very instant, I'll die, so I wolf it down. As I do, Rosetta begins explaining what's happening or at least, what has already happened.

Rose: The hunger stems from the fact that you haven't eaten since arriving but have been constantly using your Ultimate Skills. While normally, this wouldn't cause much of a problem as long as you had the necessary magicules, your body simply lacked the nutrients needed to constantly expel this much-

Me: So as long as I stay fed I won't fall again?

Rose: Well, there is still the limitation with your ultimate skills which only allow you to use one of them at maximum capacity at a time, excluding Seven Seals.

Me: I see. I hope I wasn't out for long then.

Necron: You weren't. It's only been a few hours since the fight but as you can no doubt tell, night has fallen. We've moved away from where the city was just in case others come in search of details on what happened.

Me: That's good, but I think I'd like to set up here.

Necron: What do you mean?

Me: Well, as powerful as we all are, it'd be in our best interest to have our own nation, no? Besides as a General, you need an army to command, so I'll just set up my nation right here.

Necron: Where will we find people to join such an endeavour and how will we fight off Demon Lord Clayman when he comes to kick us out of his land or worst make us his puppets?

Amelia: I'll join!

Me: Haha, I'm sure you will. Still, I'll just make it all.

Necron: Huh?

Rose: She has a skill that makes it possible. It's the same one she used to grant me this body. Still, are you sure mistress? This will no doubt keep you unconscious for a while.

Me: I'm sure you'll protect me well Rosetta. Besides, I don't plan on doing it all at once. First, I need to establish my subordinates. Your fight with Yamza showed me that we'll be going up against some powerful enemies. Normal beings simply will not be enough. They will serve as soldiers and city guards but we need specialized personnel for more intensive tasks.

Rose: I'm not sure it's possible to replicate my strength in anything besides a clone of myself or you, mistress.

Me: I figured as much, which is why we'll be creating new beings from scratch using nothing but my imagination. I'll leave it up to my skill to assign their skills. I'll only dictate their strength in relation to yours and mine. Next, I'll make this city of ours. 

Necron: Well, this I'd love to see.

Me: I'm sure, though first...Amelia?

Amelia: Yes, ma'am?

Me: You're free now to go wherever you see fit but should you decide to stay with us, with me, you will have to swear undying fealty to me.

Amelia: I have nowhere to go but with you, if you'll have me, but I am afraid I have nothing to offer but my loyalty. I am not as strong as any of those that currently serve you. I can only hope I can be of some use to you.

Me: Why don't you let me worry about those details, hmm? So, will you join me?

Amelia: I will!

Necron: As will I!

Me: I thought you had already done so Necron but no matter, in that case, Rosetta I assume Genesis can be used to change others too, correct?

Rosetta: I can't say for certain. There is no way for me to confirm without leaving this body and returning to you. Should I-

Me: No, no. I can just try it out. Alright then, Genesis!

A black and red light envelops Amelia the minute the word leaves my mouth. We all stand, watching as my skill changes not just her clothing but also removes or heals all the bruises she had suffered from being tossed around by the soldiers earlier. When it finishes, it's almost as though she's a completely new person.

Amelia: How do I look?

Me: Perfect.

She blushes but tries to hide it behind the fan that came as an accessory with her garments. I'm happy that she likes her look but we're only just beginning. I have much to do. Since all I did was change her clothing and link her to me, it shouldn't have taken much of my strength but I should still be cautious. It'd be unwise to push myself too far before we have a place to call our home.

Me: Alright. Next up, Subordinates.

Necron: You can always try summoning though if you are going for a demon you'll need to offer it something, usually bodies, in return.

Me: I see, but I was thinking more my own than using others that could work against me.

Necron: Oh? I suppose that does make sense but then you allowed us to join you as well-

Me: Well, you and your brother have given your lives to protect me, quite literally might I add. So it only seems fair that I repay such a steadfast display of loyalty with trust. Still, I do not doubt that if you ever betray me Rose would kill you long before I could find you.

Necron: Uhh-

Me: Hehe. No worries. Now, where were we?

GENESIS!

A rune circle appears between me and the others. I try thinking up other strong beings but fall short. I really should have gotten the full details from Rosetta before doing this. Can I pause...no, that might screw things up. Let's just go with another vampire for now. Yes, a female too. Brilliant, and now to add a few extra perks and done. As I complete the image and statistics in my mind, purple light fires up towards the sky from the circle much as it did with Rosetta but this time it seems different.

Necron: Such power. To think this is what you were doing when we found you. Uh-

He instinctively reaches for his sword but I signal with my hand to stand down. As the light parts ways, it reveals a young female similar in some ways to Rosetta but drastically different in others. She also has an eye patch for some odd reason though I can't fathom why since I am pretty certain my skill wouldn't create her with one eye missing. Still, as her feet touch the ground and she opens her eye(s) and looks at me and smiles, only one name comes to mind.

Me: Your name is Cecilia Carstein. Serve me well.

Cecilia: I am yours to command.

I'm about to move on to my next task when the thought hits me. Do vampires need to eat in this world? I know in the literature from my world and other forms of art/media, they drink blood to survive but I don't remember ever seeing Rosetta drink blood. Then again, we haven't exactly been in this world long. It's only been about a day or so after all.

Me: Say, do you guys need to feed or something?

Necron: Uhh...we just ate.

Me: Not you, I mean Rosetta and Cecilia.

Necron: Oh right. Excellent question. Don't vampires tend to drink blood?

Rosetta: Although I am a vampire I am also equally a Kyn. Thanks to this fact and the link between us, I don't need to feed quite like the others of my species. My adaptation to this body was successful enough that regular food is enough to sustain it but blood is still its preferred choice.

Me: I see.

Cecilia: Well, I for one am blood all the way. Normal food does nothing for me.

Rose: You could very well also be like me in some regards.

Cecilia: How so? I'm pretty sure that meat won't sate my hunger.

Rose: Perhaps not but in terms of dying, I'd suspect that unlike the normal beings of this world, all those created by Genesis that are granted some of her powers alongside a connection to her life force will also be under the effects of the skill that'd bring me to her if I died.

Cecilia: So, you're saying that I don't need to worry about dying?

Rose: It's only a theory and we won't know for certain until you or any others that meet those requirements dies.

Cecilia: Well, I just got here so count me out of volunteering to die just to test a theory that could very well prove false.

That's something to keep in mind, I guess. Especially with how strong vampires seem to be in this world, or at the very least the ones I make seem to be, it would be beneficial to have a nice amount of them. Still, we can't have too many vampires in our nation or else feeding them will become an issue.

I guess I should refrain from making more for now. Still, this does mean that I'll need to choose another species. There are the normal ones like humans, dwarves and elves. I'm pretty sure this world has those at least but I'd imagine that in the grand scheme of things, those are pretty low on the food pyramid with only a few select persons possessing the skills necessary to fight on par with stronger opponents.

Me: Well, what else do you think we'd need as a nation?

Necron: Well, I don't know much since I have only focused on military affairs, but I'd imagine you'd need someone to manage the treasury, oversee the city such as a lord or lady, and, and deal with foreign affairs. Not to mention various military personnel that will be needed to command the different types of guards and armies that you'll no doubt want to have at your disposal. I'd also recommend establishing a spy network too but that requires special skills to operate effectively.

Me: That's a perfect suggestion to use as our foundation. Of course, it'll take more than just that but hopefully, my skills can sort out all the details without too much input from me.

Rose: That's asking a lot from mere skills.

Me: Oh come on, have a little faith. Besides, unless you want to return and handle it yourself it's our only option.

Rose: I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to offer much assistance since I too don't know the inner workings of a nation. Still, Necron's words did sound like they were on the right path.

Me: They were. We'll need four main departments really. One to manage Internal Affairs and one to manage Foreign Affairs. One to manage our Economy and one to manage our Military. Besides that, the only thing left out is research and development but that falls under all four categories based on what type of research it'll be.

Amelia: Uhm. Perhaps I can be of assistance?

Me: Hmm?

Amelia: Well...it's just that while I might not look like it I have plenty of expertise in diplomatic affairs.

Me: I see. Still, though, I'd prefer if you were closer to me or one of the others. How about this? You'll serve as kind of an assistant/advisor. You'll operate kind of as an intermediary between me and the heads of each department. The Foreign Affairs department, in particular, will be under your control but there will be someone underneath your position to handle its day to day running.

Amelia: That way I'll be able to move around freely without affecting its performance whilst still being able to contribute.

Me: Precisely. You are important to me as is everyone else here. We don't know much about our enemies but they'll likely use underhanded tactics to try to get an upper hand or at the very least, inflict loss. As such, you must remain close to one of us.

Necron: If anything, Shaun can protect her. He's still sleeping right now but I'm sure he's more than up to the task and I'll make sure to train him harder too!

Me: Actually, that is a perfect suggestion. Still, we'll sort out further details once I've finished such as titles and whatnot. Now then, you said something about a spy network.

Necron: Yes. It needs to be a group that can move in the shadows unseen and be formidable enough that if they encounter an enemy or are attacked, they can eliminate the threat independently without much need for assistance.

Me: What species would you suggest for such a role?

Rose: Any number of species can fulfil the role but some are more capable than others. Anything from a demon to a vampire, like us, will do.

Cecilia: Why not use me?

Me: You'll be needed elsewhere though it's a shame because your particular skillset would have made this child's play for you. Though, I'd imagine whoever will be used for the job will need clothing that makes moving a lot easier.

Cecilia: My clothing doesn't restrict my movement!

Me: I'm pretty sure it would either get stuck on a branch.

Necron: Haha and to be fair, her hair might also be another issue in that regards too.

Me: Indeed.

This is troublesome. I wish I knew what the other races of this world at least look like. So far, the only ones I am certain about are humans and vampires. Now that I think about it, I don't even know what I am or what Necron is. Still, I do look human and food seems to work perfectly fine for me so maybe I'm normal after all with just a few skills up my sleeve. That being said, I suppose I could just create one more vampire just to be safe. We can sort out other races when I have more of an idea as to how they look. Surely three vampires can't be too much for an entire nation to handle.

GENESIS!

As the process begins once more, I think of all that the others have said. We can't just have one individual but then at the same time, it's a lot easier to make one powerful being than to make a whole host of them at once. What if I just made one and gave her the ability to clone? Rosetta said that I can't give them any of my ultimate abilities but surely cloning isn't just restricted to Genesis. That way, they can form the entire network all on their own and have subordinates who they can also train up to work alongside them. Yes, it is perfect. Now, just to add a few extra skills here and there and think up the perfect ones for the job and, voila.

As before, purple light fires into the sky once more marking the completion of my creation. It's funny but I think I'm getting used to it now. Still, I'd prefer if the process didn't act as a massive beacon that practically screams to our enemies; Here I am. Come Kill me! When it clears I notice similarities between this girl and Rosetta as well. Under the right circumstances, they could really pass for sisters or simply relatives. Still, as she flexes her fingers before looking up at me, only one name comes to mind for this rebel looking creation of mine.

Me: Wonderful. You'll be Mai.

The minute her name leaves my lips, I find myself suddenly overcome with exhaustion. Before I can figure out what's happening, I'm falling to the ground. Arms wrap around me as I finally come to a halt. Glancing up, I see that I've fallen into Cecilia's lap though how she got behind me so fast is a mystery to me. Still, the last thing my eyes see before being overcome with darkness is her smile and her mouth forming the words, "I'll protect you".