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If you wish to be updated as to when the summaries or the rest of this shrine is updated, then join the: Princess Ishtar - Vampire Game Discussion & Updates List or drop by the new Vampire Game community founded by this site: The PrincessIshtar.com VAMPIRE GAME MESSAGE BOARD :: M E N U ~ S U M M A R I E S :: | Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3 | Volume 4 | Volume 5 | Volume 6 | Volume 7 | Volume 8 | Volume 9 | Volume 10 | Volume 11 | Volume 12 | Volume 13 | Volume 1 - Manga Summary of Vampire Game - by JUDAL ACT 1 Opening scene: a mother Kyawl is crying and howling because humans have killed her young babies. The Vampire King Duzzell sees this as his chance to get the body he needs to be reincarnated. Using the mother's yearning for revenge he approaches her about a "partnership.". Kingdom of Pheliosta: the young Princess Ishtar, sitting on her throne, is once again being told by her teacher, Sir Keld, the history of the battle between the King, St. Phelios, and the Vampire King, Duzzell Ishtar is pretty bored and mutters "uh huh", causing Sir Keld to ask if she's even paying attention. Ishtar remarks on how she's been told the story a zillion times and mutters under her breath "or are you going senile and deaf old fart?" Darres, Ishtar's loyal guardian/friend/body guard from childhood, jumps in to make sure Sir Keld didn't hear Ishtar's insult and they continue the story at which point Ishtar jumps up and completes the story for them. As she finishes the tale she remarks that if she ever did meet Phelios' reincarnation she'd spoon out his eyes instead of waiting for some moldy old vampire to do it. Everyone is shocked and Ishtar laughs saying "Just kidding....I'd use a fork, not a spoon." ;) This earns her a lecture from Sir Geld on how she's a direct descendant of Phelios, as his great-granddaughter, her veins are a sacred vessel for his sainted blood and it is her duty to marry a man who will strengthen his bloodline and produce an heir. Ishtar is not happy about this enforced role and duty. At that moment, they are interrupted by news that there was a "vampire" attack in a village and it's mayor requests audience with Sir Keld at which point they retire to a private meeting. Ishtar however sneaks somewhere so she can stay hidden and hear the entire news. The visitors explain that the bodies of the victims were drained of their blood but were surrounded on the ground by kyawl tracks. One of the visitors is a small boy who cries out that the monster killed his father. As their meeting takes place, 2 of the younger guards and Darres talk about Ishtar. The young guards want to know what Ishtar has against her great-grandfather Phelios but Darres replies "how should I know?" and explains its his job to keep her from breaking her neck or giving Sir Keld a heart attack and that it would take 2 shrinks & a squad of police detectives to figure out the motives behind one of Ishtar's dumb stunts. Darres explains that he's been Ishtar's body guard since she was 5, and it's been 10 years now and how he used to be a swordsman before that. The 2 other bodyguards joke "wow 10 years with that bitch?" But Darres explains how it was different when she was little that she was actually sweet. (Picture shows little Ishtar saying 'I really like you Darres') Darres is interrupted by Sir Keld who returns and scoffs at the possibility that Duzzell would return as a cat, dismissing questions that the attacks are vampire-related or Duzzell-related, and so he wishes to resume the lessons for Ishtar. Where is Ishtar they wonder - she must be in her room. They go to look for her surprise, surprise the room is empty - "Not Again" says Darres. Our gorgeous, headstrong, rebellious and bratty Princess (but bratty with good reason, I maintain) is riding disguised on horseback pretending to be a Holy Knight - she's taken it upon herself to investigate this possible "vampirisim". She carries with her 'Sidia' - the Holy Sword of St. Phelios. Ishtar comes across the villagers who came to her court to request help & attention and when they ask if she's really a Holy Knight, she responds 'of course, don't you recognize Sidia, the Holy Sword? And if the sword isn't enough (to help her defend against the cat/vampire-cat) I'm sure Darres will be here soon' and she smiles happily at that thought ;) Together they go to investigate - along with her is the child who lost his father to the cat. Above them, on a cliff, is the mother Kyawl-cat. Duzzell tells the Kyawl 'that child is the son of your 3rd victim.' The mother Kyawl replies: 'That human (the father) came to kill me but he wasn't one of the wretches that killed my babies. I was wrong to take his life.' She repents having tasted the blood of an innocent. Duzzell tells her though that one of the men who tortured her kittens is still out there and that her revenge is not complete, and having come thus far, the villagers would be on their guard. Duzzell can give the kyawl the power it needs to get close to her enemy and to cast that spell he needs the blood of a human woman and then they can shape shift and catch the last murderer unawares. They find a human woman nearby - her name is Sia and after biting her (but not killing her) they have the blood necessary to shape shift and take on her form. They go then to find the last murderer who tortured and killed the mother-kyawl's baby kittens. Ishtar is riding with the mayor and the son when some of the villagers come up reporting a 4th victim: Paul - one of the local hooligans, whom with his friends, had tortured and killed the kyawl kittens for pure fun. The fact they were tortured and murdered is explained by a 'girl' who is with these villagers - she looks exactly like Sia (Duzzell & Kyawl disguised). From this, Ishtar says out loud that the kyawl is avenging the murder of her children and says the human victims' deaths are justified. But then the mayor says: this child's father was killed and he wasn't involved, why was he killed?' The 'girl' reaches out saying 'because....' - but at that moment, a man and woman walks up saying 'Sia has been attacked' and he is holding Sia next to him - Sia looks exactly like the 'girl' who just told Ishtar and company about the kyawls being killed. They figure out the fake Sia is the kyawl but it turns back into the kyawl and flees, without being able to explain to the child why she'd killed his father. Ishtar looks down at the boy and asks him - 5 people have been killed, "do you really want to continue this cycle of vengeance?" - the boy nods yes. Somewhere in the forest, the mother-kyawl is laying down and says to Duzzell that she's slain her enemy and as promised, she'll help Duzzell find his enemy. The mother-kyawl reveals she is ready to give birth to a son and his body will house Duzzell's soul while he pursues his revenge. Duzzell thanks the animal and says - "but it appears my enemy has found me before I am ready for him" - Ishtar has appeared in the forest and has the Holy Sword Sidia out. Duzzell believes she might be Phelios because she's carrying the sword and says he must know if she's Phelios. He tells the Kyawl he'll know by one taste of her blood and then will tear her to pieces with the kyawl's claws. The Mother-Kyawl agrees to this but says that he must not harm the child - "his heart and mine are bound by common tragedy - we both know the agony of losing one's family. When this is finishes, I'll atone for my transgression by sacrificing myself on his (Ishtar's) sword and end this cycle of revenge. Duzzell replies: "I don't understand." (you can tell that when this series is finally over Duzzell's understanding of the ending of the cycle of revenge will be a returning theme) Somewhere else, Darres is riding fast on horseback in search of Ishtar. He comments in his head that when he finally gets Ishtar back safe and sound he'll finally give her what he should have given her a long time ago - a good spanking! At the same time, Ishtar & the boy-child are walking together. Ishtar remarks how she feel sorry for the kyawl and the child cries agreeing but says he can't forgive it cause it killed his father. Ishtar says she understands and says that besides, the cat is unnatural, being able to shape-shift - it's dangerous and can't be allowed to roam free - must be destroyed and the boy will have his revenge." As she hugs the child he remarks 'Sir Knight? You smell good, like a lady.' LOL! :D Suddenly at that moment, the mother-kyawl leaps at Ishtar and she brandishes the sword. Duzzell senses holy magic coming from Ishtar: "Holy Magic? I can smell his blood! This must be Phelios" he thinks of Ishtar. From behind we hear "Lady Ishtar!" - it is Darres, he appears and slays the kyawl before it attacks Ishtar. Duzzell can't believe it - he came so close - he could see the fear in Ishtar's eyes, and like a fool he was distracted by her Holy Magic. Ishtar's mad at Darres for killing the kyawl and Darres says: "what're you complaining about? You would've been cat chow if not for me." Ishtar replies 'I wasn't worried, I knew you would show up sooner or later to give me that stupid spanking you say I have coming." "But what if I had shown up a minute later?" Darres asks but Ishtar silences him with a Shh! They listen and Ishtar hears it......a baby kyawl - the son the mother-kyawl was to give birth to - is born. It is Duzzell reincarnated into its body. He thinks in his head "Of all conceivable indignities...to die as a helpless creature at the hand of a girl that could be Phelios....oh my feet, why do they search for warmth? My eyes, why can't I see?" - and that's when Ishtar picks him up. She tells him: I'm sorry we killed your mother little one, we had no choice, we're not certain why but she killed this boy's father.' Then she faces the boy holding the kitten-Duzzell. "Do you hate this little guy? Do you want to kill him?" The boy replies, "no, I just feel sorry for him. he's crying because his mother's dead." "So what do you think Darres We could do with a few less mice around the castle don't you think?" Ishtar says to Darres - she's all smiles and happy at the thought of a pet when this same pet-Duzzell-the-kitten-kyawl decides this is the perfect time TO SINK HIS TEETH into Ishtar. "OOOWWWWW! IT BIT ME. DARREES KILL IT!" Darres replies "C'mon we're going home." ;) LOL! At home, Ishtar names the baby kyawl Duzzell since he's such a blood sucker ;) Duzzell is thinking to himself that "Ishtar has the blood of Phelios in her veins but she's not his reincarnation, her blood is not pure enough for that but it's pure enough to reveal that Phelios would soon be born into this family again." Those are his thought - let's wait and see how this actually turns out cause we read something different in VOLUME 5. Darres wonders if Duzzell is the right name for the cat, and Ishtar says well we could name him St. Phelios, to which everybody including Duzzell-Kyawl sweatdrops ;) Duzzell it is ;) And the act ends with Duzzell saying: I don't think I share the Gods' sense of humor. I'm a pet now? In the House of Phelios? However, if I stay here long enough, I'm sure to find his reincarnation, and when I do....... - END OF ACT 1. ACT 2 Scene opens: it's centuries ago, the battle between Phelios and Duzzell. At the top of a cliff Phelios stands with his sword raised high into the sky and starts drawing power for a spell. Duzzell (he's so CUTE) was getting up from the ground when he realizes: "That spell....that spell will destroy us both! You're willing to sacrifice yourself? Then what is the point of victory?!!" And we see Phelios unleash the power of the spell and Duzzell is struck - his last memory is of Phelios' smiling face. "Phelios!" A cat's paw raises up, "Phelios! Meow!" Duzzell was having a dream of his last battle with Phelios. He's in bed (as a cat) with Ishtar caught under her legs (*smirk*). Duzzell thinks about the dream, the nightmare 100 years later and how now he came back into the world chasing Phelios' soul and found his great-granddaughter ("Funny they look nothing alike"). At that moment a maid calls into Ishtar's room that breakfast is ready and her highness must wake up. Ishtar is a little mad at herself for oversleeping because she was to wake up early to go play in the fields with Duzzell and Rao (the boy whose father died at the hands of the kyawl) in the fields. Duzzell huffs at this: "In the fields? She must be joking. What does she think I am?" ;) Later at breakfast, Ishtar takes a bite off a plate of food and after tasting it, gives it to Duzzell. She keeps doing this to make sure the food is good (and poison-free) for Duzzell but he refuses to eat any of it. She gets mad and demands why Duzzy won't eat and Darres appears telling her kyawls only drink liquids and can't digest solid foods. "Who told you that Darres?" asks Ishtar to which one of the young guards replies 'The Captain paid a visit to the library." At which point Captain Darres quickly shuts the guards mouth and says 'It's common knowledge.' Ishtar smiles and after taking a bite of an apple(?) says "this should be fine then, here you go Duzzell" and he doesn't look like it's fine at all LOL ;) At that moment, Sir Keld arrives to talk about Ishtar's schedule for the day: 1st class is Holy Magic with Yujinn, after that Etiquette, then Military Tactics, then in the afternoon...... "STOP!" cries Ishtar. "This princess crap is bad enough but do you have to make it sound like you're sentencing me?" "Lady Ishtar!" Darres says in a loud voice. Then we're given a look into Darres' thoughts: "Am I the only one who remembers a time when her royal highness wasn't a royal pain in the ass?" Pictures show a cute little Ishtar saying "Darres! Darres!" and running up to him to give him a flower. Suddenly Duzzell's ears perk up - he senses holy magic. At that moment Yuujin arrives: "Ah Lady Ishtar you look lovely today as always...." and proceeds to complement her - he has arrived to give her lesson. Yujinn notices the kyawl and gives it a strange, inquisitive look - Duzzell looks back sweatdropping a little. "Enough with the flattery, let's get started" says Ishtar and asks to be taught a short spell, something a beginner can use that's still powerful enough to turn my enemy inside out." It is the Spell of La Gamme - and Duzzell's eyes widen at this. Darres shouts at Yuujin not to teach Ishtar that spell - it is the spell Phelios used in the final battle with Duzzell. Ishtar's all "wow it's really short, I could memorize this, easy!" Then Yuujin says: "there is a catch. The spell uses your own life force as a weapon - it will turn your enemy inside out but you'll also perish in the process." To which Ishtar says "What's the bloody point in that? What sort of idiot would use a spell that requires her to commit suicide?" Yujinn tells her "The kind of idiot that expects to defeat her enemy without taking the time to learn basic spells before learning elaborate ones. Any more requests?" he smiles all nice nice at Ishtar. "Yes, you can get rid of the smug grin & give me my holy magic lesson," says Ishtar. Yuujin laughs, "as you wish." Darres however looks cross. Back in Ishtar's room, she is studying her textbooks while Duzzell wanders around: "Sidia the holy sword, La Gamme the deadly spell...this place is overflowing with things that smell like Phelios...I must be getting close..." He approaches Ishtar who with a " this sucks" gives up on studying and picks Duzzell up spinning him high in the air saying they should play hookie tomorrow and sneak out to play in the fields which would have flowers a butterflies. "Duzie's never seen a butterfly right? You're just a widdle kitten..." Duzzell's like "Duzzie?!" - Ishtar goes on....."Why I'll be it will be nearly sunset before Darres finds us, cause he WILL find us." Duzzell wonders what she's going on about when an attendant arrives bringing the warm milk Ishtar requested. After tasting it, Ishtar pours it into a plate for "Duzie" because he hasn't eaten anything all day and must be starving. She smiles kindly. Duzzell wonders "huh? in other words, this is my dinner?" he paws at the milk. "Darres is so stupid," Ishtar continues. "It doesn't matter what they eat as adults, all babies need milk. Usually that man....." she takes a bite of a fruit and suddenly she reacts badly to something, the fruit falls and she grabs her mouth and throat. Duzzell looks up alert. "That's not ok. Don't eat it Duz...." Ishtar says, as she clutches her throat. "Not okay." Outside Yuujin is walking when Darres appears saying "We need to talk." Yuujin greets Darres and remarks how funny that he's never seen Darres alone before, he's like Lady Ishtar's shadow. "I'd have guessed you'd be busy watching her sleep right now." Yuujin says. "You through mocking me?" Darres snaps. "Mmm I think so. What can I do for you?" Darres explains his anger over Yuujin teaching Ishtar the dangerous La Gamme spell but Yujinn says Darres doesn't need to worry because the princess, despite her outbursts, would never throw away her life on a whim "not like her inconsiderate great-grandfather Phelios - she's already more down to earth than the King ever way." Darres is shocked 'Ishtar...Phelios...inconsiderate? Yujinn only came to Pheliosta last year, how much could he know?" Darres then states 'I deeply respect King Phelios and Ishtar and King Phelios - they have...more in common than anyone realized. It scares me to think about it. Phelios and Ishtar share the same blood and both can be inconsiderate." Suddenly from the castle 'HELP! TREASON' Ishtar lies on her bed suffering from the poison. We learn that the only person who would poison her would be someone close to her, in line for the throne of Ishtar died. While Ishtar grew up they gave her many poisons in small doses and they'd thought she was immune to them all. Over and over she'd been advised to use a tester but after the death of the 3rd one, Ishtar refused to put any others at risk. Duzzell hears all this and remembers Ishtar saying "this is okay" when she gave him the milk , remembers her hugging him gently and giving him the milk 'here Duzzie you haven't eaten anything all day." Now he watches her lying in bed, slowly dying from the poison. "She was....trying to feed me.....she is Phelios' great-granddaughter but I am not prepared to let her die. I need her.....help. ACT 3 Duzzell jumps up onto the table and knocks the plate holding the milk off -it crashes distracting everyone in the room and Duzzell did this purposely to get himself cut to unleash a little of his blood. "This spell requires only a few drops of blood, yet it is capable of neutralizing any poison." He jumps onto Ishtar and lets his blood and the spell take effect on her. Right after that Darres rushes in, "Lady Ishtar!" The others in the room had gotten mad at the kyawl for breaking the plate but Yujinn picks him up and says "it's ok, he cut his paw on the broken glass. He got spooked that's all." Ishtar then moves and says "Darres it burns." Darres turns eyes wide and stricken and rushes to her. Duzzell wonders 'that's strange, the spell should've worked instantly.' Darres holds Ishtar's hand. 'You'll be all right...Lady Ishtar and Darres spends the night holding her hand and sleeps on the chair next to her. Duzzell wonders if he cast the wrong spell. The next morning, we see our cute princess sneak an eye open and seeing Darres still asleep, wakes Duzzell up, tells him to shhh and grabs him and hightails it on out of the room. "I told you we were going to play hooky didn't I?" That's when Duzzell realizes that Ishtar was only faking being still poisoned after he'd healed her. As Ishtar dashes out they run into Yujinn. Duzzell escapes and Ishtar says she had really felt bad there for a bit, and asks Yujinn if he'll tell on her? Yujinn says 'nope, you can have today off." Ishtar smiles and kisses Yujinn saying 'thank you cutie!' and chases after Duzie. Yujinn looks after Ishtar and strokes his cheek thinking of how Ishtar said 'thank you cutie.' Duzzell re-enters the palace going "what is that girl thinking" and back in Ishtar's room finds Darres still sleeping. "Wake up idiot, the girl's made a fool of you again." thinks Duzzell. All Darres can utter through his sleep is "Lady Ishtar". This does please our little Kyawl so when shaking the guy doesn't wake him up and Duzzell realized fooling "these geniuses isn't going to be hard" he decides that with the blood of Ishtar he already has he will transform into Ishtar to fool everyone while Ishtar plays hooky. So he transforms into an almost perfect copy of Ishtar except he has no breasts! LOL! He's also naked (since he's naked as a kyawl too) and with a sheet around him he puts out a fist and smacks Darres. Darres wakes up "Lady Ishtar - Poison" and Duzzell as Ishtar tells him "she's" fine now but would he mind getting her some clothes, "I'm going to need as much as possible, something with a high neckline, or would you rather I just wear yours?" - Darres blushes shaking his head. "I don't get it, she had clothes on last night." Finally dressed, Duzzie-Ishtar attends classes and to the shock of everyone, esp. the teacher, earns perfect scores (although it took the real Ishtar 3 tries to pass the last test). Jill and Krai - the 2 younger guards who help Captain Darres wonder if the poison messed with "Ishtar's" head, "She had perfect scores, not to mention that she's twice the bitch she usually is" said one and the other replies, "Really? Aside from the test scores she's about normal ;)" "JILL! KRAI!" yells Darres and they both apologize. As Darres sweatdrops, "Ishtar" asks him what her next class is - it's Magic Lessons with Yujinn and Duzzell-Ishtar thinks the wizard, if anyone, would know about Phelios' reincarnation. Meanwhile, our lovely Princess is out in the fields with the butterflies but she's sad being alone and wishing Duzie or Rao were with her - she's very sad about Rao who couldn't come because he had to work since his father was now gone...Ishtar's face looked deeply grieved for the boy. She then decides she should probably go home and give Darres a break, "after all he stayed up all night taking care of me....if I hurry I can still make Yujinn's class." At that same moment, Duzzell-as-Ishtar is in Yujinn's class and Yujinn asks "so what made you change your mind?" since he thought Ishtar was playing hooky, but "Ishtar" replies that "she" had something to ask Yujinn: did the poisoner last night use black magic? Darres and everyone looks shocked. Yujinn believes so and not at all the Holy Magic Ishtar studied. He says the guards have their work cut out for them since the assassin will do everything possible to avoid being linked to the poison. So then "Ishtar" asks Yujinn to give "her" the names of likely suspects who would be after the throne. Darres looks disturbed by "Ishtar's" question. A courier arrives to Sir Keld with a letter for Ishtar - a letter from Lady Ramia in La Naan. Just then Ishtar arrives back and Sir Keld spots her. Ishtar: "Oops! Oh uh Hi Keld, nice day huh? Just on my way to class. I'd love to chat but I'm sure Yujinn has some dusty spells waiting for me, I just love those spells ya know, can't get enough of 'em. BYE!" Keld's left to wonder when Ishtar changed clothes and when she was so fond of Yujinn's spells ;) Darres now responds to "Ishtar's" question: "Lady Ishtar, in a situation like this, speculations does more harm than good. After all if the goal was to obtain your throne, the suspects would all be members of your family, at least technically." Yujinn also agrees saying Captain Darres is right. But "Ishtar' won't have it, "But I still want to know. Look into my eyes and answer me Yujinn. How many people are direct descendants of Phelios and where are they?" Duzzell-as-Ishtar is using a Truth Spell on Yujinn and has this strange look on "her". Yujinn realizes what "Ishtar" is doing and wonders how Ishtar could be able to do this. At that moment, Keld arrives with the letter from Her highness Lady Ramia for Ishtar. And he does a double take upon seeing Ishtar in the class. Yujinn seizes that moment to cast a spell that shows the undead upon Duzzell-Ishtar and it flows through Duzzell/Ishtar and he makes a run for it. Yujinn tells Darres to catch it - it wasn't human. Duzell-as-Ishtar runs fast away from a chasing Darres and runs straight face-to-face into the real Ishtar. Both look shocked. Ishtar than asks: "Duzzell?" Duzzell looks shocked: "She knows!" ACT 4 A voice calls from behind them "Stop" so Ishtar grabs Duzzell-Ishtar and they hide. Duzzell asks "WHY?" but Ishtar tells him to "shhh" - they listen as Darres and the guards argue about Darres "weird obsession with the Princess" LOL! and when they leave Ishtar turns to Duzzell: "I thought so! You can change shape!" Duzzell: "You knew?" Ishtar: "What did you do? You didn't raid the kitchen did you? I just did that last week. It would really make me look awful if you did it again--" LOL! Duzzell then grabs Ishtar: "Wait a second kid!!" Ishtar: "Kid??" Duzzell: "How did you know?" and Ishtar explains her reasoning that since Duzzell's mother could change shape she figured Duzzell could too, she just didn't think he could start so soon, and says that if he's a shape-shifter then he must be undead - are all kyawls undead? Duzzell thinks "ok she knows I can shape shift but does she...(know I'm Duzzell the Vampire who fought with your great-grandfather?) Ishtar then tells him to take on his normal kyawl shape cause nobody like undead creatures and if they found out, they'd probably make Duzzell into soup. "Soup?" Duzzell is not amused. Ishtar grabs Duzzell though and hugs him, laughing and smiling "Don't worry, I won't let anyone cook you." Duzzell wonders: "But why?" In another room Keld, Darres and Yujinn talk. "What was it?" Darres asks. Yujinn isn't sure, lower-level undead are often employed as assassins, but this one was different. The castle's legsaram had no effect on it. Right then, Ishtar reappears holding Duzzell in her arms. "Your Highness!" and she replies, "Sorry about dashing out like that. I felt sick all of a sudden." Darres and Yujinn look like they don't know what to make of it. "Let's get back to work Yujinn." and Yujinn smiles, "of course your highness." Later hat night, Ishtar speaks to Duzzell: "We might have fooled the other but I don't think Yujinn fell for it." Ishtar decides they have to do something to and reasons that since they're already looking for an assassin, she'll create some suspects and asks Duzzell to help her remove all the ornaments with this symbol (an even-sided cross-like symbol covered by a circle). Duzzell wonders if Ishtar knows what she's doing and transforms into human-Ishtar-look-a-like-with-no-boobs-to-speak-of. And he says to Ishtar: "All right, I'm listening but I don't understand. Why re you trying to cover for me? You could get in trouble." Ishtar tells him, "Because I can't stand the taste of undead stew. And I care about you." Duzzell: "You care about me?" Ishtar: "I have no parents, brothers, sisters, nobody. What little family I do have is either trying to kill me or put a ring on my finger just to get their claws on the throne. To my subjects I'm a way to maintain Phelios' bloodline. Nothing more. In other words, I don't really give a rat's ass about anyone besides myself, that's pretty much how it's always been. So I promised myself that if I ever found something I truly cared about, I'd take very good care of it. I care about you, dear dear Duzie." And she hugs Duzzell warmly blushing with feeling. Duzzell also is blushing. Ishtar: "Understand? But one request. If you can only shape shift into a boy, please don't use my face. You have no idea how much that weirds me out." Duzzell: "........." *sweatdrop* Darres meanwhile is with his guards and thinking: "Something's not right, it sounded like an impostor, smelled like an impostor...but it looked just like her." Sorry for dashing out...I felt sick all of a sudden. He thinks of what Ishtar said when she came back, and decides to go talk to Yujinn. The guards, Jill and Krai, are left to wonder since when did Darres get so close to Yujinn and then thinks it strange how Captain Darres has no girlfriends and how Yujinn had to leave his last post after a questionable love affair (rumour)......they think Darres and Yujinn ;) In the midst of their gossiping they hear Ishtar scream "DARRES!" Jill and Krai come to attention: "L-L-L Lady Ishtar!!" Out comes all these undead creatures. Duzzell thinking: "We'll create some suspects? We'll create some corpses is more like it. Those half-wit guards are going to be slaughtered." Ishtar demands where Darres is and Jill and Krai tell her he went to see Yujinn. Just then a really ugly undead tries to attack Jill but Ishtar helps him by using her sword and slicing into the undead creature. Duzzell is shocked watching her thinking "Ishtar you idiot! You're not match for that thing!" That thing is about to take a huge bite out of Ishtar despite her efforts when Darres appears and wham bam undead-thing is undead-history. He yells at Jill and Krai for hiding behind a girl and tells them to act like the imperial guards they are. Darres goes on to fight beautifully, killing all the undead creatures while Duzzell watches him. When it's over Darres yells at Jill and Krai and Yujinn tells Darres he doesn't think those creatures were what they saw this afternoon nor were they responsible for last night's poisoning. Yujinn explains those were suicide troops probably sent ages ago and up till now the castle's legsaram charms kept them out. "Someone or something must have created an opening in our magical defenses and they came charging in. These mindless corpses aren't clever enough to kill by stealth nor can they change shape." Then Yujinn sees the legsaram from "this room" were thrown out into the garden. Ishtar: "Oh Duzie, isn't that the weirdest thing you've ever heard of?" ;) Darres: "In other words, the impostor might be responsible for this attack?" Yujinn doesn't know and says Her Highness must be tired either way and to have a room prepared for her and escort her there. Yujinn watches Darres and Ishtar as they leave and holds one of the legsaram. (pretty picture of Ishtar shown. Back in Ishtar's room: "So Duzie isn't Darres cute when he's angry? He's the best swordsman in Pheliosta." Duzzell says at least he's better than those 2 other nimrods. Ishtar explains how Darres has been her guard since he was 17. "He lost his parents when he was young, like me. But when the last captain of the guard saw ho good Darres was with a sword, he adopted him....and.....also......" Her voice fades. Duzzell prompts "So....he's one of the few people that you care about right?" In his head Duzzell thinks "what am I saying?". Ishtar eyes widen at Duzzell's statement that Darres is one of the few people she cares about and she replies: "Nope. He's what I care about more than anything. For Darres...I'd even cast 'La Gamme.'" Duzzell is wowed. Ishtar continues: "That's a secret but I know I can trust you." she smiled. Duzzell in his head thinks: "I didn't ask for your trust but still you've given it to me. So I accept. Don't worry, leave the rest to me. What am I doing?" He remembers Ishtar hugging him and telling him how she's never given a rat's ass about anything but herself but promised herself if she ever found something she truly cared about she'd take good care of it. So Duzzell, thinking all this, says to Ishtar: "Ishtar...my real name is....Duzzell" Ishtar replies: "Yup! Duzzy wuzzy, my widdle shape-shiftin kitten." And Duzzell says: "NO! I'm undead like those creatures that just tried to kill you. In my previous life, I fought King Phelios. I am the Vampire King Duzzell" Close up of Ishtar's shocked face and Duzzell's pained face waiting for Ishtar's reaction remembering Ishtar's smiling laughing face & how she said to him "I care about you." And he either says or thinks in his head (not sure) "So Lady Ishtar, do you care as much for me now?" The next morning, breakfast time, Duzzell the kyawl is sitting next to a very pretty Ishtar eating their morning meal. Ishtar says: "Keld...that invitation from Aunt Ramia in La Naan...I'll be accepting it." Everybody goes in shock mode. "Your highness is that wise? There've already been several attempts on your life...." Ishtar turns to Duzzell and whispers to him: "I have an aunt and 3 cousins in La Naan. If one of them is Phelios, go ahead and kill 'em!" Duzzell in the middle of eating some fruit sweatdrops and says "WHAT?!" Sir Keld stated Ishtar's going to La Naan is madness but Ishtar yells "I said I'm going! Besides, I'll be safer there until you guys find this assassin." Everybody: "....." Ishtar continues: "And La Naan is holding their annual martial arts contest. I told Aunt Ramia I'd be bringing the best swordsman in Pheliosta. Right Darres?" Darres: "What?! You can't do that!!" Ishtar: "I sure as hell can! If I tell you to fight, you'll fight. Got it?" Darres: "......." *sweatdrop* LOL!!!!! Ishtar in a sing-song voice: "We're going to La Naan! We're going to kill Phelios! LA LA..." Duzzell's like "......." Everybody's like "......." And Duzzell thinks: "What on Earth? Okay apparently the princess has lost her mind. Just my kind of gal." And Duzzell eats his fruit. Special: A Vampire's Dilemma or Love Sucks When You're Dead The special opens with Duzzell saying "one taste of love....one taste of your sweet embrace....Rishas prepare for battle. We go to war with the humans!" Rishas can't believe this and says if they destroy the humans they destroy themselves since they need human blood and questions Duzzell's wish to have a war with the humans." Duzzell explains he's bored to death and tired of their wretched existence. In his head Duzzell is thinking "I have no companions other than puppets. Marionettes made of dust. Puppets cannot love." He says: "You are all shells I've poured myself into. I can't respect you. Can't love you. You're mere shadows of me. With my death you'll all turn to dust. You should hope so at least. No doubt some for you are probably powerful enough to continue on without me but would your lives be any less empty than mine." Rishas looks sad(??) and says "We shall do as you command your majesty." And Duzzell kisses him saying Rishas has always been his favorite puppet." But in his head Duzzell says "but puppets can't love." Later in the bedroom, a hunky naked Duzzell asks Rishas an unfinished question....."Rishas do you think humans really can? (he's trying to ask if humans really can love)" Rishas asks 'Yes your majesty?" but Duzzell replies nevermind and continues on thinking: "The problem with puppets is that they're hollow. Without you, they have no depth. The puppet show is over...I will have my fill of love as soon as I find someone worthy. Someone....tasty." The 1st volume ends here with these words and another very beautiful picture of Ishtar. (Maybe this eludes to the fact that Duzzell will find in Ishtar his fill of love and er...someone tasty ;) JUDAL's AFTERWORD / FREE TALK FROM VOL. 1 Hi! Nice to meet you! I'd like to thank you new readers and my old fans. My name is Judal and "Vampire Game" is my 6th manga. It's basically about a reincarnated vampire king who is trying to kill the reincarnation of an old enemy. But there are obstacles to overcome like Ishtar trying to help ;) (picture of Ishtar slamming a huge mallet-toy on top of Judal saying 'what's not true!' About the main character: before I started on the drawings...(picture of her editor saying 'Ishtar's the main character right?', Judal replying 'no the story's about Duzzell' Well it was about Duzzell, (Editor: Ishtar has market value, she's hot, think of the conventions), Judal continuing - who the main character is, is still a mystery. Your comments: Thanks for all your comments. SO far the most popular character seems to be Duzzell But everyone wants to see Darres and Ishtar together as a couple. And a lot of you are curious about the identity of Phelios' reincarnation. Fell free to send me your comments. It might take a while but I'll try to write back! Return to: PrincessIshtar.com