Hanz lowers his hands as his body immerses itself at his newfound power. It's exhilarating… Hanz thinks as a shiver runs through his body. The eighth stage was a power he couldn't have previously even imagine. But it's mine now. Hanz thinks as he lets out a loud laugh.

In an instant four figures had surrounded Hanz, the power emanating from their bodies was similar to Hanz but more contained; they were like crouching tigers, never needing to act but always ready to.

“Congratulations Hanz. I didn't think you could do it.” One of the two women says with an amused smile.

Hanz snorts. “Of course I did it; it’s providence. This power has always belonged to me.” He says with a hiss.

One of the men sighs. “But life goes on, Hanz. And at the finish line, people often become careless. Never mind the people who decided on a victory lap; those people lose the next game before it even starts. So I’m curious, Hanz, where do you stand?” He asks with a gentle smile.

“Do you think I’m a fool? State your terms; I’ll agree to them as long as they don’t go too far. If they do, I’m sure you realize that I’m willing to die with one of you today.” Hanz says with an intense stare. This situation has already played out many times in his mind; he knew his limits and he knew his freedoms, and as he saw it, his victory has already been achieved.

“I don’t like the smell of this one. He stinks of arrogance.” A bulky man says with a growl.

“Arrogance or not; he’s earned the right to play on this stage. There are some rules he’ll have to follow, but I’m sure we can get along.” The other woman says with a well-meaning smile.

The bulky man suppresses another growl. “We should have stamped this out from the beginning…” He says with slight disgruntlement.

“Oh, don’t lie. You were also curious how it would play out. And he didn’t do bad; he even gathered the younglings struggling under the sun, without an elder to protect them. He became a symbol for the underdog and earned his rightful place through blood and flame. It’s a hero’s tale that the people would come to love.” One of the women says, amused at the journey it took to get here.

“Unfortunately this hero is a vampire.” The other man says with a sigh. It was possible that this could break the balance that’s been established. But what’s done is done… He thinks with a sigh.

“I guess all that’s left is to lay out the rules…” The well-meaning woman says, a sharp glint in her eye. If we didn’t take a chunk how could we call ourselves elders? She thinks with a smile.

…

…

Taylor had lost his sword and was pummeling a man’s face bloody on the ground. His eyes were red and his face scarred and bleeding; his body was soaked in blood and wildness emanated from him as his aura darkened the surroundings.

“Taylor! Taylor!” Charles yells, grabbing Taylor’s shoulder, hoping to snap him out of it. Taylor hisses at him and his body struggles to restrain itself. Charles gives him a hard and sharp slap to the face. “He’s dead, Taylor! And the battle’s done! Idiot! Sober the fuck up! Fuck, am I the vampire or are you the vampire!?” Charles says, somewhat annoyed. Taylor was like a wild beast without restraint and it just wasn’t Charles’ style; he preferred to fight with grace and calculation.

Taylor’s heart beat tries to slow down as his he begins panting, releasing his excess energy and stabilizing himself. He gets up and takes a deep breath and exhales. Taylor slaps himself in the face to wake himself up and looks to Charles with bright eyes. “Awesome. We good to go then? Can we go home?” He asks, his voice back to normal but still drenched in blood.

Charles gives Taylor a weird look but decides to ignore it. Whatever demons were hiding in Taylor’s body were his problem and Charles didn’t care. “Yeah, you can go home. We failed but I guess there really isn’t much we can do. I think Hanz won; there’s going to be a new world order. For those without an elder to protect them, the struggle for territory and their place in the world is going to begin; and for those of us on this side of the war, I doubt it’s going to be pretty.” Charles says with a sigh. The Demon Heart family was without an eighth stage guardian to protect them. Hanz happened to be the only eighth stage vampire and they couldn’t run to him for protection. Maybe Taylor could assist us… It’s time to make new alliances… Charles thinks as he gives Taylor a deep look.