One week had passed. The City of Gods had never looked so flashy. When people did not wear shades, they wore scarves. Online, everyone religiously waited for the new Charles Frederick trend.

Hokori’s family went on with their lives like any other. At breakfast, Hayato loved American biscuits the most. So much so that he poured the honey until it stained the tablecloth. Tokino cast runes over the table and wiped his mouth. “Learn some manners, honey. I know you’re younger, but Yukino’s twenty steps ahead.”

He wiped himself and smiled. “Okay! I’ll make you proud anyway, Mom.”

She sat surprised over the hug. She giggled and patted her son’s head; her eyes lowered as she smiled back more.

Yukino held her chest and hugged him tenfold. Eight years old yet an already responsible brother. She had not felt their “hearts” in such joyful clarity. However, one had a hint of uneasiness. Kakunō did not even touch his fork. Mostly, he only ate onigiri, but at a snail’s pace. Other times, he stared at his plate.

Kenkō shockingly scarfed faster than even the eldest. Neither bits of currywurst nor crumbs of marzipan got spared. Her youngest siblings watched in awe as it all disappeared. She downed her espresso in one go. “Better chow quick, man,” she turned to her brother. “You wouldn’t want to shrink into my height.”

A vein popped within him. “That’s not how it works, idiot!” Nevertheless, he pierced his fork onto slabs of wagyu. The espresso helped wash it all down.

Hokori finished his fifth club of jamón ibérico. After munching every bone, his hearty laugh echoed to the roof. “Take it easy, fam. We’re on a domestic mission. Y’all can sprint past one city block faster than my ji— Ow….”

Kenkō kicked his ankle again when he tried repeating the last word. She sighed and turned to Haruto. “Gotta say, Bro… You haven’t given Hayataro advice lately. Out on a break?”

He almost spilled his drink and had red cheeks. Head shaking, he doubled down that his fatherhood would never wane. He pointed to everyone about a fishing trip next month.

“I swear, my son,” he held his chest with a raised hand. “Your Mom and I will bond like no tomorrow. And Yukino’s your #1 protector.” As he had said, his daughter concurred loudly. His siblings told him not to forget about them.

Tokino giggled again, mouth covered. “I don’t know, honey.” She moved closer and smirked. “It seems you don’t want me saving you from another God of the Tarn. Then again, they’re quite the treat.” She twirled her finger on his chest. “I’ll protect you any day….” After the wink, her husband stuttered his words. Then, she made a daring move—all according to plan.

Hokori grinned, “Hahahahahaha!” and sighed. “Damn, kid. That’s the 50th time your lips went all sneaky. And yet I’m the lecher.” His laugh reached the top once more.

She let go and turned with yet another giggle. “Don’t forget, brother. I learned from the best.”

Everyone laughed next, and Haruto ended his red cheeks. He held Hayato’s hand and led the way outside. The mission awaited them.

In the king’s home, a lifetime event occurred. Brigade mages had drinks in the grand hall. Yukino and Hayato huddled behind their mother upon realizing the guests.

The vampires’ fangs were nothing short of long and intimidating. Their blue eyes told the bitter cold in spades. Lastly, Yukino could not feel their ‘hearts’ despite joyful talks with the mages.

“It’s alright, kids,” Tokino moved them in front while walking. “They’re our allies before even my ancestors lived. And we’re all children of the Gods no matter what.” She waved at many and saw them return the notion with smiles.

Eventually, the two found the courage to do the same. Not an hour went without the undead folk speaking of the adorable faces. Those who had children felt right at home.

A lifetime ceremony occurred in the throne room. It took a while for Yukino and Hayato to kneel before the two monarchs. Luckily, their uncle stepped in. Their older siblings kneeled beside each other, as did their parents.

On the other hand, everyone gave up on making Aria show respect. Feuer had not approved of the king letting her handstand in peace. Yet, all he could do was kneel like the others. Danielle had a twitching eye. “Kill me….” She endlessly wished for the ceremony’s abrupt end. However, she did find the cross unexpectedly striking.

Usually, royalty would form pacts via cut palms and a double handshake. Harald instead abided with their customs. He did not care if anyone found it macabre and pulled out a chalice. Red came out like a slow stream.

Lady Carmilla had more than smiles but felt a tug on her red gown. “Sister, that’s enough!” she scolded, making guards escort the latter. She turned and held the chalice with both. “My apologies, long comrade.

She then turned to everyone. “The blood is the life… and it shall be ours! My kind has it run through our veins, too. May our ties thicken, oh living brothers and sisters.” She took her time with the offer.

Harald walked in front. “From now on, we shan’t hinder their trade. We’ll prosper at the same pace. Competition, be damned!” With a sword, he stabbed the cross’s center. Every rust had vanished and left a dazzling gold. He fixed his cape. “I needn’t say much.”

Humans and vampires alike cheered as the world needed it. Carmilla failed to hold back red tears. She found Yukino and Hayato’s joy the most heartwarming. For a moment, she thought her chest had beat.

The king chuckled with a closed mouth. “Say, Carmie. A handkerchief, perhaps? You’d look like Hell in my favorite joint.”

She dried her eyes and smiled. “No thanks. I’ll clean up my wreck.” Runic arrays hovered over her face. She looked over the two children with open arms. “Come forth, little ones! I’ve already fed.”

They giggled and ran toward her with smiles of their own. The queen carried them and flew everywhere above the ceiling. “Weeeee!” exclaimed Yukino.

The two came back to their parents. Carmilla bowed to Hokori’s family and the king. With her call, her subjects turned into winged creatures of the night. Hayato waved with both as they flew out a window.

Brigade mages rode their carpets alongside the undead folk. Using weather machines, they aided them back home with the eternal night.

Feuer could not get Aria out of her handstand. He covered her in a floating igneous rock and excited the room. Hagel followed beside his comrades; his icy blue pupils had far exceeded the vampires.

Daishini caressed her chin. “Hey, Sis. Do you think your Amaterasu sun will work on them?”

Hatsune sighed. “Don’t be silly. Of course, it’ll work. Not sure about your moon, though.”

“But it’d be so cool!!” they shouted in unison. “Hey, stop copying me!”

Yukino and Hayato decided to play outside their estate outside. The Minagawa couple sat next to the king. Hokori hunched over his favorite chair at the other end.

Harald cleared his throat. “I suppose you’re more than ready for the task? I’m afraid I should say a lot. There’s still too much we don’t know.”

Hokori stretched and yawned. “Lay it on us loud, my guy. I’m all ears even with shut eyes.” The couple agreed on the same. They had every right to know.

The king tented his fingers. “The toll of exsanguination in our city rose 70%. And these estimates came to me the other day. The courts had clutched their pearls day and night about Carmilla’s people. But I digress.

“They’re right about the victims’ holes on their necks. Yet, my men found no evidence of so-called ‘vampire hotspots.’ And I’ve walked the black market’s festering streets this morning. Non-humans were never their favorite customers.

He looked beyond a window. “If you and I knew better, it could be a ‘vampire set-up’ instead. Their fangs aren’t always aligned the same.” He turned to Kenkō. “Do you deny it, miss?”

She shook her head. “Not even in death, your majesty.” She showed everyone her Every Hub screen. “Every cadaver sent to the Imhotep Inn has the exact marks. Perfectly circled, and it never changes.”

She also revealed that all her colleagues had the same conclusion. The Department issued a statement not to accuse any vampire citizen. Even they fell victim to the Icarus Folly pandemic. “And it hasn’t slowed, your majesty.” She slid down her screen.

Harald nodded and turned to the others. “And there you have it. Perhaps I’ve merely said enough.” He stood up and raised a hand in front. “Become private than the world itself. Every clue you find must stand at the highest pedestal. Make haste!”

The couple and their siblings had narrowed eyes. “Yessir!” They flash-stepped outside the throne room. Determination had gone beyond limits.

Hokori opened his eyes and stopped hunching over. He shook his head and tsked. “Ya thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’, my guy? I never wanted them to know my doubts.”

By the window, Harald saw a flock of Coelestian mock eagles. They flew with the silver-banded robins of the same size. Then, all grew exponentially for the kill.

He sighed once more and turned. “Yes, indeed, old friend. I’m afraid a side mission awaits you.”

At their estate’s lake, Yukino skipped stones par excellence. All landed on the other end like they never got turned. She went on with both in her hands—still flawless. They had now skipped in a double helix.

Hayato stood at the stone hand’s edge far away. He kept swishing his arm below. For three minutes, he looked down at the metropolis. His smirk widened by the second. Then, his eyes did as well.

“Hey, Lil Bro,” she held his shoulder. “Whatcha doooin’?” She tied her hands from behind.

He smiled and laughed like no other. “Nothing, Sis. I wanted to give you butterflies. Oh, there’s a rare one right now!” He raised his hand and pulled. Not one—but a hundred ruby swallowtails got moved down.

Yukino giggled as she felt their wings and little feet. Hayato sat on the grass, still smiling. Without her noticing, he twitched in place. Seconds in, he grunted in annoyance. His eyes glared at nothing.

“Wait your turn, child… It’s not like you go blind….” He went lights out and fell on his back. His sister continued giggling.