Chapter 23

As Atlas led the survivors of the first vampire war back toward Sylvania, he made a calculated decision to avoid travelling with larger hosts of undead. Despite the safety that numbers could provide against potential threats, he harboured a deep-seated fear that his hard-won spoils of war would be seized as payment for safe passage by other, more powerful vampire lords.

With this in mind, Atlas chose a more discreet route, leading his ragtag band of undead through hidden paths and secluded trails, far from the prying eyes of both friend and foe alike. Though the journey was fraught with peril and uncertainty, Atlas remained resolute in his determination to safeguard his precious treasures and ensure the survival of his undead followers.

As they made their way back along the path they had taken, Atlas kept a watchful eye on the horizon, ever wary of potential threats and dangers lurking in the shadows. He knew that reaching Sylvania would not be easy, but he was determined to see his mission through to the end, knowing that the safety and security of his followers depended on it.

With each step forward, Atlas pressed on, leading his dwindling band of survivors toward the dark heart of Sylvania, where reinforcements awaited and the Empire would struggle to invade.

With a cautious yet triumphant air, Atlas withdrew Vlad's magic ring from its hiding place beneath his armour. Holding the ring aloft, he gazed upon its gleaming surface with a mixture of awe and anticipation. This was the first time he had dared to don the ring himself, now that Vlad lay dead and his dominion over it was no more.

As Atlas slid the ring onto his finger, he felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, suffusing his being with a newfound strength and resilience. The magic of the ring enveloped him like a protective shroud, imbuing him with a potent aura of invincibility. Instantly, he felt his form becoming magically armoured, each piece of enchanted metal melding seamlessly with his own flesh.

The sensation was exhilarating as if he had been reborn into a body of pure power and vitality. Wounds that had once caused him agony now healed with astonishing speed, leaving behind nothing but faint scars as a testament to their former existence. It was as if death itself had become a mere inconvenience, a temporary setback that could be overcome with but a moment's respite.

With the ring securely in place, Atlas felt a newfound sense of confidence and purpose. No longer would he cower in the shadows, fearing the wrath of his enemies. Now, armed with the might of Vlad's magic, he would stride forth boldly into the world, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Yet even as he revelled in his newfound power, Atlas remained cautious. He knew that such artefacts were coveted by many, and he dared not let his guard down for even a moment. With a wave of his hand and a whispered incantation, he cloaked the ring in a veil of powerful magic, rendering it invisible to all but himself.

Satisfied that the ring was now safely hidden from prying eyes, Atlas turned his attention to the intricate magical structure of the artefact.

"AI chip. Scan the magical structure of the ring."

*Beep!*

*Task Established.*

Using the AI chip embedded within his mind, he delved into the depths of its enchantments, marvelling at the countless fine lines and intricate runes that adorned its surface. Each symbol held its own significance, contributing to the ring's overall magical potency and granting it the ability to channel and manipulate dark energies with unparalleled precision.

Its complexity would take many days, perhaps even weeks to fully scan in with the AI chip support. Atlas struggled to comprehend the sheer power and skill Nagash must have to create such a potent magical item.

He knew some of the history of the ring, created by Nagash, A slain god who refused to die. In the books Atlas read in his previous life, Nagash came back to life by manipulating those who held items containing his corrupting power. Mannfred, the one who would take control of Sylvania in place of Vlad, had been taken over by Nagash's will through the legendary nine books of Nagash. Atlas didn't want to risk his soul and freedom but the ring's powers were too strong to ignore.

"AI Chip. Monitor the ring's enchantments. Alert user and remove any corrupting influences."

*Beep!*

*Task Established.*

He knew it would be a long process, but if he could remove or neutralise Nagash's influence in the ring, Atlas might be able to use a similar approach to remove Nagash's control over himself.

As he continued to study the ring, Atlas knew that he held in his hands a weapon of immense power. With its aid, he would have greater confidence in any battles to come. And as the sun began to set on the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, he turned to his other loot with hungry eyes. 

As the journey continued, Atlas took the opportunity to delve into the spoils he had acquired during the campaign. With meticulous care, he sifted through the artefacts and tomes, scanning each one into his AI chip for later study and analysis.

Amongst the treasures he had gathered, one stood out above all the rest: a copy of Liber Mortis, penned by the renowned necromancer Frederick van Hal, or Vanhel as he was later known. This ancient tome was a compendium of dark knowledge, containing secrets of necromancy and death that had been compiled from translations of the Nine Books of Nagash.

The pages of the Liber Mortis were dense with small characters, packed with arcane wisdom that even with the aid of his AI chip, Atlas found difficult to fully comprehend. Yet he knew that within its pages lay the key to unlocking greater mastery over the forces of darkness, and he was determined to unravel its secrets.

By scanning the book into his AI chip, Atlas ensured that he would have a comprehensive record of its contents, allowing him to study and analyse its teachings at his leisure. With each passing day, he delved deeper into its pages, absorbing its esoteric knowledge and honing his understanding of the dark arts.

For Atlas, the Liber Mortis represented more than just a valuable resource; it was a foundation upon which he could build his mastery of necromancy and death. With its guidance, he knew that he would be able to unlock even greater powers and ascend to new heights of dark sorcery. Within its leather pages also contained different mediation techniques, similar to cultivation, that guided not blood energy to increase his physical stats, but magic to grow his Spirit. Such methods were rare and essential for mages and even Sophia, a Baron, had lacked such a method.

Atlas caressed the cover of Liber Mortis with a mixture of reverence and determination. The ancient tome held a special significance to him, not only for its invaluable knowledge but also for its rarity. Few copies had survived the Empire's purges, and possessing one was a mark of distinction among necromancers.

Yet, as he pondered his next move, Atlas knew that he needed more than just knowledge to secure his place in Sylvania. With Mannfred now ascendant as the new ruler, he needed something of value to offer in exchange for protection and sanctuary.

With a resigned sigh, Atlas made his decision. Liber Mortis would be his tribute to Mannfred, a token of his loyalty and a symbol of his commitment to serving the new regime. It was a calculated gamble, but one that he was willing to take in order to ensure his survival in the tumultuous land of Sylvania.

As he tucked the tome safely away, Atlas felt a sense of determination wash over him. With Liber Mortis as his offering, he would present himself to Mannfred as a valuable ally, ready to lend his knowledge and expertise to the cause of the Vampire Counts. And with any luck, he would earn the favour and protection he needed to digest all his gains from the war before the next stage of his grand plan.

And as he journeyed onward towards Sylvania, he wondered how much he had progressed. He didn't want to become too reliant on the AI chip and thus only used it when necessary.

"Status," Atlas muttered to the wind.

*Beep!*

*Hosts Status* (Reminder 5 is average for humans)

*Strength – 31 *

*Agility – 36 *

*Physique – 24 *

*Spirit – 21*

*Carstein Ring – This magical ring gives the user a passive boost of 15% to Strength, Agility and Physique.*

Giving another instruction, "AI Chip, show my spells."

*Beep!*

*Lore of Vampire Spells* (Levels show skill – 10 is full mastery)

*1. Raise dead. (Level 7)*

*2. Invocation of Nehek. (Level 2)*

*3. Vanhel's Dance Macabre. (Level 4)*

*4. Gaze of Nagash. (Level 2)*

*5. Curse of Years. (Level 2)*

*6. Wind of Death. (Level 1)*