Hey guys I came up with this idea some time ago after I finished reading Lord of the End Times and though it might be a good one. And I couldn't resist writingpoor old Vlad von Carstein reaction's when he woke up. I hope you enjoy ;)

"Surrender and serve me in life, or die and slave for me in death." Vlad von Carstein

Vlad von Carstein was many things. A vampire, a count, an elector, ruthless, merciful, he was this and many things more but at the moment there was only one thing that could describe him confused. Vlad was confused he could have sworn just a minnute ago he and his beloved Isabella had plummeted to their doom falling upon a stake. He was in a country village that was burning but it was evident that this was not Middenheim. Surveying his right hand Vlad felt confused as to why the Carstein ring was on his finger. He specifically remembered slipping it onto Isabella as they fell down so that she could be reborn without Nurgles corruption. "Where am I?" he thought. Vlad was broken out of his reverie by screams for help and cries of dismay. "Of course this village is being raided" he noted. Briefly pondering whether he should intervene Vlad decided for it. "Abhorash you were right this time I will try things your way" Vlad said quietly. Then first von Carstein took his sword in hand and rushed to the aid of the villagers his movements as ever perfect and graceful.

Garrick smiled he was enjoying this mission that Gangrel had given him, destroy the Ylissean tow named southtown. Though The Plegian captain had always wondered why it didn't have a proper name. Eitherways to the captain it didn't matter all they had to do was instigate Ylisse into attacking them so that they could declare war. Eyeing the Ylissean prince from across the bridge he looked at his enemy's forces and thought "This might be troublesome." He then turned to see more of his forces coming in from the rest of the town. "Good reinforcements" he thought smugly as he thought he spied the Ylissean knight Fredrick the Cold's eyes narrow in concern.

"Run one of his men!" Shouted one of his men "there is a monster behind us."

"No you idiots get the Ylissean, this is our chance to kill the exalts brother" Garrick shouted. But it seemed to him that whatever this thing they were talking about was it terrified them more than he did as they kept running."Gah useless" Garrick complained as his men ran away from the battle and the rest engaged the Ylisseans. There was the Prince Chrom as stated before there was the knight Frederick, there even was the Princess Lissa, but the hooded figure was new though Garrick could have sworn that the design of his clothes was Plegian. Garrick watched them take down his men and readied himself. For his final fight. "if I am to die today I will at least take that bastard Princes head" he stated.

"Do you call him a bastard because of the circumstances of his birth?" an amused voice asked from behind him.

Garrick spun around to see a figure dressed in black and gold armour with a blood red cape. His hair was long and white and his features had an unnatural handsome edge to them. In his hand he held a longsword in one hand that had a red ruby festoned into its hilt. "What? Who are you? How did you get behind me? What are you doing here" Garrick answered.

The figure gave an amused smile before answering. "Perhaps I will answer one of those to what I am doing here I came to do something important , though before that I would just like to ask are you the leader of these men?" he asked gesturing to the bandits with his empty hand.

"Yes" Garrick stammered there was something about this man that filled him with dread and almost completely immobilised him. There was something about this man that demanded dread and respect in equal measure. This figure something that made Garrick's monarch Gangrel look like a joke and making thee mad king's presence feel like that was an achievement of truly horrifying levels.

"Ah I see" the figure responded then moved so quickly that Garrick couldn't even make out what he was doing.

The Plegian captain collapsed to the ground not even noticing that he had been killed. The figure loomed over Garrick's corpse with a distasteful look on his face. It seemed as if the figure as deep in thought reliving a similar experience or several of them it then turning to greet the Ylissean forces that had fought their way through the town. "Ah greetings how may I help you?" he asked.

Chrom looked at the figure he didn't know what to make of it sure he appeared to be the one who killed the bandits but something about him set the young prince on edge. To be cautious he still had the falchion raised in a protective stance incase he had to face this newcomer. "Who are you?" he asked cautiously as Frederick Lissa and Robin caught up with him.

"My Lord please stay back we do not know what it is capable of" Frederick cautioned.

"Ah such loyalty how very noble" the man in the black and gold honour commented. Everyone there could tell that he was not being sarcastic.

"Who are you?" Chrom repeated his question again.

"Ah yes I haven't introduced myself" the figure replied giving a polite bow. "I am Vlad von Carstein, Former Count of Sylvania, Nagash's Mortarch of Shadow." he introduced himself.

"Former count?" Robin asked he had never heard of Sylvania but then again he had no memories in general.

"Ah yes it was its custodianship was given to someone who was more fitted to sitting around" the figure now named Vlad von Carstein explained.

"So you're a noble then?" Chrom asked suspicious. Despite Vlad's relaxed manner some instinct deep within Chrom told him that he should not take the relaxed manner for complacency as this person most probably could react very fast and efficently.

"Perhaps" Vlad answered "though I have always wondered what constitutes such a title is it bound by blood or born from deed?" Vlad asked.

"I don't have an answer to that" Chrom admitted. The question was a though and difficult one.

"Now child don't go worrying yourself over such things" Vlad stated. "It is mainly rhetorical though I know a handful that can answer it" he explained.

"Where do you get off calling the Prince of Ylisse a child" Fredrick asked a hint of anger in his voice.

"Perhaps when you are as old as I most others are children" Vlad answered unperturbed though Robin noted that Vlad had noticed the slight edge to Fredericks voice.
"How old are you anyway, you don't look old enough to be my grandfather" Lissa commented.

Frederick sighed as did Chrom as Lissa did not realise that she might have insulted Vlad. for a princess she was not very politically savvy. Vlad just smiled in a kind way at her as if he was touched by her innocence or was hiding the fact that he was amused by her actions "Looks may be deceiving girl you must always look deeper and beyond the physical" he answered. "Perhaps my age is a discussion left for if we get to know each other better."

Chrom realised that he had not introduced himself and quickly rectified that. "I am Chrom leader of the shepards this here is my knight and Lieutenant Frederick, here is my sister Lissa I am sorry if her words offended you before." Gesturing to Robin he added "And this is Robin someone who we discovered who has no memory of himself."

Vlad raised an eyebrow "No memory of himself you say, that could either be a blessing or a curse" he commented.

"How could it be a blessing?" Lissa asked confused.

Vlad once again smiled at her innocence. "Perhaps if you had done plenty of things that you regretted and the only one left to remember was you, wouldn't it be a blessing then if you forgot your memories" he stated.

Chrom found that he couldn't argue with that and he found that neither could any of the Shepards present either. "What are you doing here?"

"I though that was obvious" Vlad answered "I was killing raiders."

Chrom had to admit this was true from what he had seen. For some reason the group that was reinforcing the raiders seemed to flee perhaps this man was the one responsible for scaring them. "Okay how did you get here?"

Vlad's face took on a thoughtful expression as he answered "That I am unsure of."

"How are you unsure of that?" Frederick asked suspicious as always.

"Well if you really desire to know I the last thing I remembered before I was here was falling from a battlement in Middenheim with my wife who was possessed by a daemon of Nurgle and falling on a stake being impaled." he answered rather bluntly before casting a barely perceptible quick and suspicious glance at the ring on his right hands ring finger.

Only Robin saw this and noted it down "I will have to ask him about that ring later" the Tactician-to-be thought.

"Impossible don't be ridiculous no one can come back from the dead" Frederick stated in disbelief.

"As some who has done that on multiple occasions and someone who knows plenty of people who have performed such feats I can will tell you now nothing is impossible" Vlad said to him his smile if only of a moment becoming a tiny bit bitter.

"I am going to pretend I didn't here that" Frederick stated though it was more for his sake than Vlad's.

"I was wondering why did you help defend Southtown?" Chrom asked trying to change the subject the thought that there were beings that were immortal out there was a tad disturbing for him.

"Perhaps I did it on a whim" Vlad answered. "Perhaps I did it because I can't stand the sight of raider, or perhaps I did to help them" Vlad added. "It may be anyone of these, all of them or none of them I will reserve that judgement for you." he finished.

"Chrom had to admit this person Vlad von Carstein as he called himself was extremely experienced in politics and from how he saw the man handle the raiders he appeared to be an accomplished warrior as well. Then an idea struck the young Ylissean prince. "Say what are your thought on joining us?" he asked.

Vlad gave him an amused smile "I must clarify one thing first before I make my decision" he explained. "Are you shepards of sheep or of man?" he asked apparantly serious.

"We watch over women as part of our flock as well" Lissa added before Chrom could answer

"Well that answers it" Vlad replied. "Though I was more attempting to alleviate the mood than asking a question" he admitted.

"Is that a yes?" Chrom asked.

"My lord you couldn't possibly be" Frederick began but Chrom cut him off.

"I don't know much about him but Vlad as he calls himself did help these people out even though he did not gain anything from it, and the Shepards need someone like that" Chrom stated.

Frederick sighed in defeat. "Yes my Lord" he replied.

"You know your majesty it is rather insulting to refer to someone in third person when they are present, and also you should listen to your trusted lieutenant advice and opinions as he is your trusted lieutenant." Vlad stated.

"Uh you have my sincerest apologies" Chrom replied slightly embarrassed.

"Now that just reveals that you are not the first in line for the throne and that you have no desire for it" Vlad chided.

"How could you tell that from his response?" Lissa asked incredulously.

"Well you see your brother added a word that usually means that you are not truly sorry but he said it with meaning meaning that he was also Chrom was rather blunt and not circumspect nor embellishing about asking me to join your forces." Looking Chrom in the eye Vlad said to him "He was blunt and to the point also his reactions were not rehearsed" Vlad explained turning back to address Lissa "Also your brother is a prince he is allowed to refer to someone in third person regardless of them being present or not the only person he should not talk like this two are the royal family and even then only the one who sits on the throne is who he must speak courteously to,"

"You truly are dangerous to be able to notice all that from the six words that Chrom spoke" Robin stated "He also noticed the body language and facial expressions" the Tactician-to-be noted.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah" Lissa stated in a very unbecoming way for a princess. "Can you just give us an answer."

Vlad looked at her again. "I would ask if you are really a princess but I will not since I can see the similar features that you share with your brother" he stated. Before smiling in good humour and adding "Though faint they may be."

This brought a laugh from Chrom. "See sis he can tell that we're related so don't worry about it." he stated

"My apologies I did not know your sister suffered from that type of insecurity" Vlad stated.

"Think nothing of it you didn't know" Chrom waved it off. "So about you answer?" he asked.

Vlad extended his right hand Chrom repeated the gesture and the two shook hands. "It would be an honour" Vlad stated smiling.

"The honour is all ours" Chrom replied.

Lissa gasped and nearly collapsed onto the ground she had wandered away from camp site to be attacked by some weird creatures saved by a mestyrious masked figure and then had to fight with her brother and the shephards against these creaturse in the middle of it they were reinforced by Sully another member of the Shepards and an archer with my blueish to greenish hair that Lissa could not make out quite which it was in the dark. This man was now helping her remain upright"My lady how does thee fair?" he asked thought Lissa got the gist of what he was asking she wondered why he had such a strange way of talking.

"Your highness he is an aristocrat" Vlad told her as if he could read her mind.

"Ah so one does recognise my magnificence." The archer Stated. "As I told you before my name is Virion the Archest of Archers" he reintroduced himself.

"That is a new one" Vlad thought amused. "I wonder what else I will discover in this world" he thought to himself. Before looking at Viron again "Take away his nobility and his bow, give him a sword and deny him some sunlight along with sharpening his incisors and he could be a slightly better version of Manfred" Vlad noted. "That means I shouldn't let my guard down around him." Vlad was careful to ensure that his scrutiny of Virion went unnoticed.

"Where did the masked guy go?" Lissa asked.

"What masked man?" Chrom asked.

"When the things first appeared and was about to strike me this masked guy appeared and saved me from it though he did disappear after you guys came" Lissa explained.

"Ah you highness I believe that you are mistaken" Vlad informed her.

"What do you mean?" Lissa asked confused.

"I did perchance see the figure you described though their was one thing I noticed that you did not dscribe." Vlad answered.

"What was that?" Lissa asked even more confused.

The one you are referring to is in fact female" Vlad answered letting that sink in. "Also she weilded a weapon that I must say was identical to your brothers or at least looked the part." he added.

"That is somewhat disturbing" Chrom admitted but quickly shook of the paranoia. "I believe we should make it to the capital with as much speed as possible" he stated.

"I concur" Frederick agreed. "We must report this to the exalt."

"I take it that is what you call the monarch around here?" Robin asked.

"Yes Emmeryn, my older sister is the ruler she is always worried about us since we're late even more so" Chrom stated.

"Well it is good to have a monarch who cares about their subjects" Vlad agreed. "So in turn their subjects serve loyally and faithfully." Vlad expanded. "In some ways it is dangerous though." he admitted.

"Dangerous Sir von Carstein how?" Robin asked.

"A story for another day." Vlad stated.

"Chrom who the hell are these three?" Sully yelled.

Vlad turned to her with a stern expression showing on his handsome features. "My lady that is no way to speak to your prince and commander" he stated his tone polite and clipped. "If you wish to act like a child noisy and ill-behaved you will be treated like a child now either ask that question again in a way that is polite and proper that is befitting of your station as a knight or be silent" his words held authority and finality the last three seemed to be very commanding.

Sully as usual was unfazed. "Just who do you think you are? I aught'a kick your ass for that" she stated before she found herself winded and knocked off her horse in less than a heartbeat.

Vlad von Carstein stood above her with his blade aimed down at her chest his features stern and not in their usual relaxed manner. "Child when you challenge an opponent do so with the knowledge of how powerful they are and only if it is a matter of importance." he advised. Giving her a disappoint look. "Also if you are to challenge me make sure you have met at least one of the two conditions. Either you are sure that you can defeat me and there is no doubt in your mind of that fact or that you have no other choice but to face me in single combat be it for any reason" after saying this Vlad lifted his blade and walked away from her. Leaving sully on the ground furious and frustrated.

"Vlad there was no call to do that?" Chrom exclaimed.

"Ah to be young and rash" Vlad said without any mockery. "She was rude and acted in a way unbefitting of her" he stated.

"That's just the way Sully is" Chrom explained.

"It is a wonder then why others would call her comrade but then again she must have some traits that endear her to others" Vlad mused. "I will tell you this if she continues to act the way she does she will get killed very quickly." he explained.

"Sully is near undefeated in combat" Chrom answered.

Vlad gave him a sad smile which showed Chrom the tiredness within the man soul. "It is good that you are pure like that but I will say this. Slaying your foe in combat is but one way to deal with them" he stated. "See to her after all she is our comrade though her ego is the one that will be needing the most mending if she is able to overcome this experience then she will be all the more stronger for it" Vlad told him before walking off.

Once Vlad was sure that he was alone the Vampire let his thoughts wander a little. "Those creatures were definitely undead" he said to himself there was no way he could not recognise the art of necromancy though it was somewhat different. "I know they are being controlled as they seemed to be interested in Chrom or perhaps his blade Falchion is I remember correctly, it did have traces of some unknown power that seemed to be the opposite of whatever the one who was controlling these undead was using." Stroking his chin in contemplation the Sire of the von Carstein bloodline as deep in thought. His highly analytical mind working through all the possible theories. "Whoever it was was powerful enough to control them from afar which means that they are as strong if not stronger than Nagash himself." Vlad thought if what they were dealing with is something akin to that abomination the Shepards and Ylisse were in a dire situation indeed.

Returning to the camp the Shepards had set up he greeted Frederick who had taken night watch. "Where have you been?" Frederick asked suspiciously.

"working out all the possible theories on whatever is controlling those creature that we face." Vlad answered truthfully.

"And?" Frederick asked interested.

"As you could probably tell someone was controlling them but was not present, which would make whoever or whatever it is extremely powerful." Vlad answered. "Also I know the amount of power it takes to control form great distances away and they would have to have phenomenal levels to pull it off."

"Do you know anyone capable of this?" Frederick asked.

"Only one" Vlad answered but then his mind wandered to Settra the imperishable. "Or maybe two though it is highly unlikely that the second could pull it off on this scale but sadly it can be neither of these two."

"Why is that?" Frederick asked.

"The two who I speak of are destroyed not dead but destroyed they won't be coming back any time soon, if ever" Vlad explained.

"So it is someone you don't know but you have an idea as to how powerful they are." Frederick stated.

"No I have an idea on how weak they have to be" Vlad corrected.

"I fail to understand." Frederick admitted.

"I know the amount of power and skill it takes to spread one's influence that far" Vlad explained. "It is possible that this being who or whatever it is, is more powerful than that."

"That is disturbing" Frederick stated.

"That is to say the least the two who I spoke of the latter was one of the most powerful and first of his kind, the Nehekhara Tomb kings Settra the imperishable. I can say that even myself would not be a match for him." Vlad admitted.

"Nehekhara I never have heard of such a place" Frederick informed Vlad.

"I pray that you never do" he stated. "It is not a place for the living" he added.

"Who was this other the first one that you mentioned?" Frederick asked.

"Ah that is Nagash the most powerful, really his power was like unto a god." Vlad answered.

"Is that even possible?" Frederick asked wanting to not believe what he was being told.

"He did defeat a death god and imbune the magical wind of death into himself" Vlad offered. "Before he simply turned the one who I spoke of before into dust as if he was naught but an insect."

"By the God's" Frederick cursed.

"Calm yourself he is no more?" Vlad answered.

"How can you be so certain of this.?" Frederick asked.

"Because then I would be forced to serve as his Mortarch of Shadow" Vlad answered. "Nagash could bring anyone back"

"You would serve such a monster?" Frederick asked in horror his usual composed manner gone.

Vlad gave him a disappointed look. "You speak as if you have a choice if Nagash tells you to do something you can only feel compelled to do it" he answered.

"What could kill such a being?" Frederick asked somewhat interested.

"Not kill destroy" Vlad corrected "a force of immense destruction destroyed him though I did not witness it I have my suspicions on what it was."

"Why weren't you there?" Frederick was interested in Vlads story but it was clear to the knight that Vlad was not telling anything.

"I was staked upon the battlements remember" Vlad answered. "Also you feel as if I am not telling you everything just to confirm your suspicions I am" Vlad added.

"Is there a reason for this" Frederick's station demanded that he be supicious of any and all characters.

"Perhaps" Vlad answered. "Though I feel as if everyone one of you must mature a bit before you can handle it, you princess in general wouldn't be able to take it and neither would you prince, you may be able to stomach the first part but that is all I will say on this matter" he explained. Vlad knew that some stories should never be recounted and his was definitely among those.

"Will you be going to sleep?" Frederick asked.

"No I think I'll stand watch here instead" Vlad answered.

Frederick did not fully feel safe trusting this man to watch over him but even he could feel exhaustion holding him in its grasp so the Knight of Ylisse thanked Vlad and bid him farewell as he retired to the camp site. Vlad himself surveyed the memebers of the Sheparhds and gave a sad smile upon his lips "I can honestly say to you" he addressed the sleeping prince and princess. "That a great many trials and tragedies await you, and I hope that you posses the strength to overcome them." He then turned to look at the rest of the shepards. "Though I do believe that your subjects will follow and support you through this, truly you are blessed for few rulers and royalty can claim the same."

In her sanctuary the diving Dragon lifted up her head and noticed the change in the world "Grima has made his move" She stated. But there is something more here something older than the world itself I cannot sense it properly so I can only wait for it to reveal itself" Naga noted this change and she went back to her daily contemplation. "What is this old Creature that predates even myself as well as Grima and the begging?" she asked.

Man Vlad is boss the polite Baddass man I totally enjoyed writing his reaction to Sully though it was a bit toned down. The reason why I chose Vlad for this is because of his heel face turn in the end times where he is actually a decent guy. Though he is a decent guy all the time underneath the fact that he is a vampire its just in the end times he lets it show. Also I kinda liked the idea of the new world being created at the end of Lord of the End Times and decided to expand on that. I hope you enjoyed this. Please review or PM me any ideas you have. Also I do have a reason for not having Vlad reveal his necromantic powers though it should be ovious why he hasn't told them he is a vampire