Orlok would venture into the forest, he had long since heard of Dumuzid killing Vldai, he didn't really care that they were dead, rather he was distressed that in the span of a day, many of his allies seemed to die, plans dashed, he knew not what to do. So he had side projects going.

Had a business deal in progress with that Sarradian women, as much torture as he pleased seeing as it would aid in her development of some ability, along raising a human infant as his own, it would be good to someday have a puppet to send into society, one loyal to him that could gain info for him.

But for now he grew bored, he would head into the forest, out of his small cabin towards the citadel, he'd slay anything that got in his way, mostly lessers and mega's and he would arrive to the citadel with a grin. He would scale the side of the cliff, once on the surface he would dust off his finely tailored suit, clean off his hands, and look up.

He looked to the massive beast standing before him and he'd go to speak. "Ah, Dumuzid. My strong friend, how are you doing? I have heard of your adventures, of your growing strength. Tell me, what are your plans, quite some time has passed since our last encounter indeed, it is good to catch up, no?"
(Orlok)
CRACK!

The sky swirls impossibly, clouds reforming as thunder booms above-- and in a flash, the Kaor Lord descends into a crater just below, and just before the likes of Orlok. Yokai swarm hesitantly around the location as if awaiting the arrival of a god - their thoughts tampered with, naturally, and their desires forced, but nonetheless do they do so. Dumuzid is getting stronger, and you - or any other - can probably tell with the slightest of glances. The former battle was.. well, a disappointment, to be sure. However, even so, the Zeus-Kaor leaks electricity like a vapor, and those of his servants who grow too close would be zapped!

Shocked, and vaporized.

"Greetings," he utters aloud, his voice equal in volume to the resounding crashes of lightning that'd only just now come to a slow halt. Even so, the thunderhead above them fails to disperse, as if waiting for the permission of their 'commander-in-chief'. His ego is high, as one can tell, probably as a result of his recent loss - his desire to prove himself overwhelming. Anyone who sought to fight him on a matter was.. well, if they couldn't take on the consequences, you might call them a fool or worse. Dead, in the worst of cases. He was a soldier, and a soldier whose pride had been damaged--

A soldier who, upon nearing the transformation into a general of untold proportions and becoming a warrior even human texts spoke of, had been denied. His fury was manifested, and his pent-up, wasted energy was.. dashed. Or not 'dashed' but.. stored, whatever the case, reluctantly and unwillingly. "You were one of Vldai Foryl's past compatriots, yes?", he suggests with a heavy sigh. His breath is heavily infused with static, a cloud of ozone-like vapor spreading thinly and repugnantly over the surroundings. "I would hope you don't come like others have to claim her death as a means for vengeance. I believe one such individual, a Sirenian, ventured into my war for that purpose, and - "

He coughs.

"Things didn't end well for the fellow. You seem a smarter sort, though. Orlok, yes? Vldai Foryl spoke of you upon occasion," he noted further, scarlet-red eyes resting upon the other man's own. "Whatever the case, I think it'd be better if you told of your own plans first, yes? What've you been up to since your Yokai cohort was.. stripped.. of her manners..?"
(Dumuzid)
He would chuckle dryly before going to speak again.

"Vldai was one of my compatriots. I was not one of hers. She was the definition of the word foolish, and I thank you for ending her. You said she spoke of me on occasion? That is problamatic, her words got me in hot water more than once, though thankfully my nerves are dulled and I can swim, so the problems were quickly... ended"

"She was a problamatic ally and I'm glad to be rid of her. And yes, I am of the smarter sort. For example, I still draw figureative breath, while she is worm wood, or your food depending on how exactly she died."

"And what have I been up to? Not a whole lot. My allies were seemingly wiped out in but a day. Still do I wish to see humanity fall to its knee's, but with me being the only active vampire now, with no real allies anymore, such things are a tad bit beyond my grasp."

"So I have side projects going. Its a rather sad fate I admit, but I have time on my side. I would much rather hear what you've been up to, what your plans are. Perhaps we could be of some help to each other. Surely an immortal vampiric warrior would interest you, no?"
(Orlok)
The Kaor Lord cocks his head to the side.

It wasn't often that the allies of Vldai actually called her out for her follies as he did - though perhaps Malyn was little more than an exception. "She was indeed a fool," Dumuzid agreed with a brief shrug, his shoulders rolling and a few bolts of wayward lightning snapping to nearby trees and other objects. "For whatever reason, she prioritized her divine hatred for humanity over the condition of her underlings such as myself-- and now, she's my own underling. Funny how fate works itself out, yes?" The Kaor Lord chuckles to match Orlok's own.

Wiping a hand across his leg to smear the likely blotch of Yokai-blood from his chitin, Dumuzid licks the same finger seamlessly, as if it's little more than drinking water. One would be correct to assume he'd consumed thousands of gallons of both Yokai and human blood over his thirty or more years-- and he'd come to the conclusion that regardless of whether or not you were a human or a monster, you had the potential to be worthy of his culling. The Zeus had no sympathy for those that got in his way, and a piercing, cold gaze hoped to secure that fact tenfold. He wasn't any Vldai Foryl with his cruelty, and it wasn't blind, either - but he also wasn't a friendly human grandmother by any even huge stretch.

"I think it wrong to react so little to the world around you, yes? She hated humanity no matter the circumstance," he pronounced, waving his hand as if to say 'so-so' as to his opinion of the Kaor. Lucien had changed his perception, after all - humans were worthy of death and they required such a culling as well, but he'd be damned if he was going to get himself killed for the sake of genociding an already pointless, useless race. "And while I view them equally as badly, I'll be damned if I'm going to let myself be killed and eaten by my Yokai undersorts because I hated humanity too much to see where the real threat lied."

Dumuzid scoffs momentarily, his eyes reattaching to Orlok. "... But, as to your offer, I'd be glad for another ally. Vampires, as I've heard, are incredibly strong foes - perhaps only rivaled by my own kin in raw potency," he utters aloud, nodding. He's not afraid to admit the power of another, after all. In fact, he's rather intrigued by the strength of Orlok. "Are you the type to cower when I call for aid for a war - or do you lust after the blood that seeps from a good battle's behest?"
(Dumuzid)
He would grin and go to speak.

"Humanity must fall, but I do not hate them, hatred does not blind me. No, rather I feel pity for them, and I do not wish to see them wiped out entirely. A changing of the guard, that is what I desire. Place them in farms, as at the end of the day, both of our races still require food"

"It truly would be a shame if we were to defeat humanity, only for us to end up turning on each other, Yokai turning on yokai, devouring each other, Vampires going mad out of bloodlust, truly wouldn't be pleasant."

"They need to be culled, but not wiped out entirely, after all, we still need to consume at the end of the day. She was foolish, she hated humanity, and it blinded her. I would not soon compare myself to her"

"Are your kin better than vampires? No. Are you rivals to us? Most certainly. I'd say we're about equal. A yokai that doesn't go imperfect will die at around the age of three fifty, Vampires simply don't. We never grow old, we never stop growing stronger. I simply wish I'd of been turned when I was in my twenties, for now I am cursed to forever look like a beautiful, majestic, man in his mid to late thirties"

"But thats a bit off topic, yes we are very powerful, though I am one of the last ones remaining. But am I the type to cower? I wish to see these lands soaked in the blood of the fallen, I wish to partake in such carnage, I do not wish to watch from afar"

"If you call upon me for a public war, I will be there. I will have my face covered, as people currently believe me to be dead. I was a tad bit more subtle than my my allies, and fellow vampires"
(Orlok)
"So long as you don't get yourself killed."

The Kaor Lord shrugs again. There are numerous he's recruited in this manner - and there are numerous that he's told off in more than one or two simple ways for the fact that they hadn't performed well enough in a battle or war. The Kaor Lord, again, has an injured pride, and his scolding of others such as Kap'Araenoth for a lack of participation in a duel.. well, it helps mend his immaterial 'wounds'. He doesn't care how you fight, so long as you do fight - and you give it your all. The Ventus had gotten off free for his disappointments. Generosity was a gift to the insubordinate punk of a Yokai, to be sure.

"I concur with your judgement of humanity," he continues, speaking softer now that his desire to make a first impression has fallen slightly. It's been years since he saw Orlok with Vldai Foryl, and since that same Kaor had told Dumuzid himself of the aforementioned vampyr. They're effective strangers - and while they'd likely known of eachother's existence for quite some time now, the Zeus-Kaor still finds a wanton desire for a, as mentioned, good impression. An.. impressive impression, you might say. "Until I ascend beyond what is possible, there must be humanity for consumption-- "

"Unlike my own kin, they cannot rebound from few numbers. They share that quality with yours, it seems - running low on quantity nowadays, aren't we, my vampiric companion?", Dumuzid suggests with a brief snicker. It's not necessarily 'mocking', but moreso.. well, no, it's definitely mocking. Even so, the Kaor doesn't intend for it to ruin his connection with Orlok - it's simply a more humorous way of asking a simple question. A complication of the otherwise easy. "No offense intended. I figured it likely that you hoped our alliance would result in an increase in numbers for your own kin, yes?"

"... Or was my slight premonition unfounded?"
(Dumuzid)
He would simply chuckle

"Don't get myself killed? Pft. Been there my friend, and done that as well. I am well suited for the job given to me, a soldier among your ranks, fighting for a common goal. Though I tell you now, do not assume I am one of your mindless minions to be idly pushed around. Do not make that mistake Dumuzid."

"And don't compare my race to humanity. We are immortal beings with the capacity to be seen as gods among humans. We are not those... things. But yes, I suppose we do have that in common. Without humans, Vampires would eventually cease to be. We need them for food, and we need them in order to make more of us"

"We may be much like humanity in that way, but still we are much superior to them. More than once have Vampires brought the country to its knee's, why, the ancient Vampire known as Vlad, when he invaded Valmasia, I dare compare that to near Kok'baelian levels of destruction and chaos, if only I'd of been there to see it"

"As for bolstering my ranks? Perhaps someday, I would like to command a vampire group, however as of yet, I have not the ability to infect, so you can worry not, I only wish to see the cities fall and the lands run red, I do not plan on joining your group so that I may create more vampires."

"I have eternity on my side, when the time comes, I will have the power to make more. But that could very well be a long time coming."
(Orlok)
Dumuzid lifts his shoulders before letting them drop thereafter--

He's indifferent, naturally. A soldier is a soldier, and if he can't infect Yokai in the first place, a good god-damned portion of Dumuzid's army is immune even if Orlok had the ability to turn others. Whatever the case, it seems it wouldn't be an issue anyway. "So be it,", he proclaimed with a grin! It was good news. No more vampires for the moment meant he didn't have to worry about a damned epidemic on his hands. "If you don't have the ability, then we don't need to speak on those terms until the day comes when you, as you suggest, can."

"And yes, I do understand the vampire race's ability to surpass that of humanity's. It's impressive, to be sure." Dumuzid pauses, flexing - as if to purposefully brandish his Kaor-blade, Balaraq. "It's almost a shame you weren't with the Ookami when I clashed a few days prior. It would have been an exciting battle, mine and yours, don't you think?" He chuckles heartily-- like a hearty human male might! However, as mentioned multiple times prior, his emotion is hollow and cold. Replicated, perhaps, off of human sorts. Unlike Orlok, he hasn't been a human and never will be - whatever gestures he utilizes that wield relevance to the former race..?

They're a ruse, if quite a good one.

"Regardless, I didn't hope to offend with my relation. Only a pattern, yes?"
(Dumuzid)
He would go to speak, "We can speak on them now should you wish. Deals were made to be kept, not broken. I am a monster in essence, a beast in practice, but a beast of my word I remain. If I make an oath to you, it would take the very heavens declaring war on me to make me consider going back on my word"

"Deals are not meant to be broken. So allow me to take a guess here, you worry that someday, I may make a grand number of Vampires, an epidemic of sorts, a threat to you perhaps? No. Any that I turn would be in service to me, my word would be law to them, unable to break any command given to them."

"Even I am powerless should my master give me a direct command, though he stays mostly uninvolved with current affairs and allows me free reign over whatever I wish to do."

"And while it would of been a good battle, it could not of happened in any given reality, for there is not a version of me in existance that would ever lower myself to siding with a group of cowardly mutts who prefer to hide away, instead of fighting directly"

He would chuckle in turn before continuing, "And worry not. I am far from offended. I feel as though we will work wonders together, oh the horrors we will see done to the people of this land. It will be truly breathtaking. If I could breath that is."
(Orlok)
"Very well," he announces aloud. This vampire is certainly a member of the progressive sort - the sort that hopes to get work done quickly, that is. A loyal sort as well, if you count his word as 'law', as he himself had put it. It was worrying for the sake of loopholes, but beyond that..? While Dumuzid couldn't care less for the likes of Kap'Araenoth provided how infrequently those kinds managed to actually complete their goals and ideals, he was nonetheless gleeful to see Orlok so willing to relate and find relations with the Kaor Lord's own kin and underlings.

The strong had to stick together - and the methods by which they did that often fell apart. the stronger the method, the stronger the alliance. "Whatever the case, I am glad to hear that you won't be hoping to usurp our alliance we establish here today. Provided we both live for all of eternity, it's important that our bonds are firm-- ", he notes, pausing briefly to stare upwards. He's not yet immortal - as Orlok said, he has a lifespan of around three-hundred years, maybe five-hundred if he's lucky. It's a lot, sure, for a human, but for him? For the plans he has?

It's not nearly enough. Ascension is the only thing that will bring him the lifespan he desires; he requires.

"And I'm similarly glad to hear that you wouldn't have joined the Ookami. While I would've enjoyed the battle in its fullest, I also wouldn't have spared you upon victory," Dumuzid suggested with a momentary nod. Maybe it was uncouth to speak of the death of his newfound ally so loosely - but hey, he was a Yokai. It wasn't exactly unusual for them to be void of such political correctnesses. "It's critical that I devour every morsel feasible. These little sorts - " He kicks around a few of the lesser Yokai crowding at his feet. " - Know that much well-enough, eh?"
(Dumuzid)
He would nod and go to speak

"Were I to infect humans or sub-humans to make other vampires, my forces would be few in number. Only the strong of mind and body are deserving of this blessing. Hell, were I to travel back in time, the likliehood that I would of found my mortal form worthy would be slim. In life I was a magi, not a warrior. But now? Now I am quite the fighter."

"Our alliance will hold strong, and any I turn will be of grand service to us both. Though know this Dumuzid, many times before have yokai tried to make armies,  and countless times have they fallen apart. Kok'bael and Mordred are the only two examples that come to mind when I think of a fairly successful Yokai army. Well, I suppose Ose as well"

"So I would certainly hope that you have a good head on your shoulders, won't make bad gambles and go into fights the army can't win, won't recruit members to this alliance who will only throw off the balance"

"I trust you will make good choices"

"But yes, indeeds I feel that were we to battle, you are correct in assuming you would win. Would I die? Likely not, but that simply relates to how powerful a vampires healing factor is, but still you would of likely won that fight. I sense a strong future for you, Imperfection even. And I'll do well to see that it comes to pass, I'm in need of strong allies, as are you"

"And I can certainly understand your hunger for power, just as I understood the need for power even before I was like this, when I still had functioning organs. When I was a regent and a baron to an entire city"

He would nod, "Worry not, you've not made a stupid ally, I can assure you of that"
(Orlok)
"I could say the same to you."

The Yokai once more flexes - this time, though, he turns with the motion, once again brushing aside many of the Yokai at his feet. A few meters are traversed with less than a handful of steps, and in another swift movement, Dumuzid turns to face Orlok at the doorway of his Citadel. "I am on the stairway to a burgeoning power this world hasn't seen in dozens of years," he uttered aloud in reply to the vampyr's mention of his power-hunger. He indeed direly sought that strength - but it was for good reason, that much was for sure. It was a power-leap like no other, truly, besides the one betwixt this and.. well, perfection, though it was an insult to call the latter anything less than true godhood.

"I would be a fool to squander that opportunity by making stupid choices, truly." The Kaor Lord nods yet again to confirm his words - which, in truth, aren't wrong. If he squanders such a close proximity to imperfection, he genuinely would be a massive fool. "Whatever the case - have you heard the call of darkness? It beckons for the Yokai, the Occultists, and the depraved-- and I can figure I know who exactly sent the message. You heard it as well, yes? As a vampyr, I've no doubt that you felt at least something."

Dumuzid sighs, his human-sized lungs heaving pointlessly.

"Not to say that I wish for you to show up - I only want to know whether you'll show up. I hope to make a catalogue before the 'meeting' itself."
(Dumuzid)
He would nod and go to speak, making an assumption and sticking to is

"You border on imperfection. You can't let that power alone be what defines you though. For the world has seen countless imperfects over the years, and they've all be destroyed. You must have what it takes to show that you will not repeat there mistakes. Pride will be your undoing unless you are sure you can keep it in check. Kok'bael bordered on perfection, but he messed up, and it got him destroyed"

"As for the call of Darkness? Have I heard it? Yes, though I was sure it was but a trap, perhaps by the empire, to lure us in and destroy all possible threats. Unless you know of who the sender is?"

"I am under orders from my master not to reveal my identity to the public, if you wish for me to show up, I need to know more details of it, otherwise I'd be making myself known as a potential target. The empire does not like vampires"

"They would destroy me should they discover I exist prematurely"

(Orlok)
"If I said the name 'Lucien', would you know who that is?"

He breathes in - it's understandable to think that it's a trap by the Empire. Luring in weak Occultists was an easy way to dispose of smaller targets that didn't know any better. It was definitely the smart route to take if you were the vampire in the equation-- after all, Sareen wasn't too much a fan of those blood-suckers. Whatever the case, Dumuzid also understood the man behind the call - or rather the book behind the call. And while he might be a tad bit insane, he also was a monster himself worse than any sort of vampire, bordering on imperfection on his own in terms of heresy--

It'd be a bit hypocritical of that creature to discriminate against the species.

"Regardless, I know for a fact he doesn't align with the alliance. The Empire, as you say." Dumuzid pauses, trying to think of the best feasible way to explain it all. The comment about his pride is half-way ignored, though only in the sense that no reply is ushered unto Orlok - not yet, anyways, as the Kaor Lord thinks further. "I have eaten my pride before, for the sake of the progression of myself and my kin and.. those who would align with me. Fear nothing, my vampiric friend. I am prideful and honorable, sure, but I know not overconfidence-- as I said, I wouldn't dare succumb to the same follies Vldai Foryl did."

"As for the meeting: myself and a few of my stronger compatriots will be there, if all goes well. You needn't fear. Even the Empire would be a fool to assault a group like my own while few in number."
(Dumuzid)
He would nod.

"Well then, I will take you at your word, which could very well be a mistake on my part. But should I arrive in time, I will certainly heed the call and go to this meeting with this Lucien fellow"

"And you may say that the empire won't attack because its not that foolish, but my friend, you have not seen its inner workings, when in life I went by the name of Lathos Falco, son of Judas Hirano, I saw some of the things they did. They were anything but wise"

"But they are strong, that I will give them. In fact, were they more willing to exterminate humans in order to see the rise of Azrael, and were less willing to butcher vampires? I'd be much more inclined to side with them, but they are fools in the end"

"My point is, don't trust blindly that they won't attack, because prior to contrary belief, they really are that foolish"
(Orlok)
"I understand your suspicions," he utters unto Orlok. The conversation seems to be drawing to a close, but it's no less important than it has been prior - it's always good to end on a high note, and it's truly quite critical that he make the effort to do so. Isn't it? If they end as enemies, well.. they'd be enemies! And that's not exactly what Dumuzid had been hoping for, after all. "I too have been wronged by the Empire in some number of ways. Not as badly as you, mind, but I still understand the critical judgement of its alliances."

Dumuzid cracks his neck, rolling that massive head of his backwards-- lightning spurting out of the area betwixt his neck-muscles to rapidly shock a nearby clump of Yokai-creatures.

"I'd like to urge that the man whom called together this meeting hates the Empire with the same passion I do," he noted, nodding once or twice. "But I still find your suspicion reasonable. We'll see how it pans out on the day-of, yes?" Dumuzid turns once again, crossing the now-shorter distance between him and the burgeoning entrance of the Citadel, which flows freely with hordes of small Yokai in great number and grouping. The castle is a relative city of daemons, to be sure, more alive than it's been in a century. The Kaor Lord, despite his lack of humanity, couldn't look prouder.

"For now, though, I think a departure is reasonable, yes?", he suggests, turning once more to face Orlok. "As I mentioned, you're free to utilize the Citadel as a home if you so desire! Many others already do, and I take comfort in knowing my allies are so close-by."
(Dumuzid)
He would shrug

"I was not exactly wronged by the empire. Though should they discover I exist, they will see to it that I die, so I cannot ally myself with them, and They need to be destroyed. From the ashes of the old world, we will build a better one, I like to say."

"Hell, before my turning, I outright was a member of the empire. I tried to help some rebel groups sure, but I was was quite comfortable living in a castle, running a city, it was nice. One day I will do it again, but as a king and not as a regent, and as a Vampire of course and not as a puny mortal"

"As for using the citadel as a home? I must refuse. I love it, do not get me wrong. It is a testament to great feats of destruction, great lords of the past ruled here, but it is not my place."

"Nay, I live close by though. In a small cabin. Also. Should you see a small infant running around Bygone, inform your men to capture it and not to kill it, then inform me. Could be that my pet may of escaped. Same goes for if you see a Sarradian women, dark skinned and scarred. I am currently in a business transaction with her, so if found in the forests, would appreciate her being left alone. Until the deal comes to an end, then by all means, do whatever you want to her."

"But for now, yes, a departure is reasonable. I must be returning home now, I must also go off in search of some bandits, I find myself growing hungry. Farewell Dumuzid, may fortune find you well." And with that, he would be gone. In the blink of an eye, teleporting away
(Orlok)
"I see."

"Well, whatever the case, it's good to know these things - it'd be quite unfortunate if I slipped up somehow and got you killed," he said with a minor chuckle. It was.. not really 'dry' humor. Bad humor, really. Whatever the case, Dumuzid didn't mean it as a premonition, nor did he hope to scare Orlok off in any sense - he obviously sought after allies! Just a bit bad at humanity's old jokes. "And vice-versa as well. " His glare got a bit more intense, flaring with redness. "It is beyond important that we both survive, for the sake of this world's reconstitution."

The Yokai teleports just before Orlok does, reconstituting himself into lightning without the slightest motion-- and reappearing atop the entrance of the Yokai Citadel.

"Regardless, I bid you farewell, then, Orlok - so long as you are near, I've no true issue with where you reside, honestly." The Kaor Lord watches as his newfound ally vanishes into thin air much like he did quite often - it was with less of a ritual, though. It wasn't.. lightning-borne. Not as exciting, in Dumuzid's opinion... though, truthfully too, it wasn't as if there was any functional difference as a result. Turning away, Dumuzid faced the wall of his Citadel, hoping to train sometime soon-- not before speaking, though. "Hopefully sometime soon there'll be excitement within this continent beyond that of my own, direct creation."

"Hopefully."
(Dumuzid)