Rygilya Semtek dropped to one knee panting. He decided since with Mana he couldn't destroy his cell, he'd use it as a way to increase his Lifeforce. He maxed out his physical strength and attack the incredibly dense crystal wall. It had been nearly two hours ago since he had started.

Now he began to meditate, focusing on getting a feel for his limit. Then began the battle of tug of war. It was as if Rygilya was mentally trying to expand his Lifeforce. This feat was much easier said than done. Even the strongest of minds would have a tough time​ expanding their limit far in one hour.

A hour and several minutes went by when his eyes flew open to find the brown haired girl staring at him curiously. Her head tilted slightly.

He glared, she peered.

This annoyed the hell out of him.

"What?" He snapped.

"Were you and Aya a thing?" She asked.

"Tsk. Stupid." He went back to meditation.

"Because you two would've been cute together."

"If you want to escape you should get back to training." He told her.

Several seconds went by when she asked, "Why'd you kill her? You're sister I mean."

"Screw off." He said. "Like you care."

"If I didn't care, I wouldn't ask, asshole."

"Call me that again and I'll kill you." He threatened.

"Asshole. Asshole. Asshole. Ass...hole-ah"

Rygilya growled in rage.

Kariah-Belle feigned fear saying, "Ooooooh. I'm so scared." She then laughed. "What ya gonna do? Reach through the bars?"

In that moment she reminded him of Kaden. The way he'd tease whenever he one uped him. The way he laughed when he knew he was getting under someone's skin. It was all there. They were so similar, even down to thier appearance.

He peered at her. "What are you to Kaden?"

She crossed her arms. "What are YOU to Kaden?" She asked.

Yeah this girl was related to Kaden. Could she be his sister? No. Couldn't be. Kaden had never mentioned one. Then again, Kaden had once told him that he had missing memories. If he hadn't been lying then she could be apart of those missing memories.

"You're his sister." He stated.

He took her silence as a yes.

"Does he know?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You guys were close huh?"

So she guessed Kaden had told me. Never seemed like the type to lie, that crybaby.

It seemed that her mind worked fast like Kaden when he isn't furious.

"What does Dracula want with you?" He asked her.

"In the words of a shitty person, ' It's none of your business.'" she quoted him.

Rygilya growled.

"What are you? A mutt?"

"Just answer the question." Rygilya snapped.

"Answer mine first. Ya'know, the one from two days ago."

"We both work under Memphis." He answered plainly.

She looked at Kezell who looked at Rygilya. Rygilya nodded.

"I... I'm not allowed to speak to anyone without master Memphis' or Rygilya's permission."

"A slave?" The brown haired knight said glaring daggers at Rygilya.

"She belongs to Memphis." Rygilya told her bluntly.

"She belongs to no one." The knight said, her voice had a dangerous edge to it.

"Yeah, yeah." Rygilya scoffed. "Just tell me why Dracula wants you."

"Asking nicely doesn't hurt in the slightest." She said rolling her eyes. "He wants the being within me. The goddess of light."

Rygilya gave her a curious look. "That ball of light?"

She nodded. "Okay I answered two of your questions. It's only fair that you answer mine. Why'd you kill your sister?"

Rygilya closed his eyes and tried to keep his rage from consuming him. He hated that question but he had one more for her so he'd play this game.

"It was for power."

"Lies. I'm not stupid."

"Not a lie. Just not the whole truth."

"Fine. Don't tell me."

"Tell me, that power Kaden wields. Do you know where it comes from?"

She nodded.

Rygilya waited before prompting her to speak.

"Ah no buddy boy. First tell me what is your relation with my brother." She demanded. "If you want an answer that is."

Rygilya was becomimg increasingly annoyed.

"I'm the one who'll kill him and take that power." He said bluntly.

He watched her expression become blank. "If you think I'm telling you after that then you're not as smart as I thought."

"Doesn't matter." He said sitting back against the wall of his cell. "Whether you tell me or not doesn't make any difference. I'll still kill him eventually."

"You listen to me." She said, her demeanor changing into something serious. "If you get within a yard of him, I'll feed you you're own heart."

Rygilya smirked. "What's the matter? Touched a nerve?"

"Maybe. And maybe one day I'll have to touch a human heart. I'd like if it didn't come to that."

Rygilya ignored her. He wouldn't fight her. No. He'd use her to get Kezell and himself out of here. For now he'd train and rest until it was time to act.

It was then that two vympiri walked in. They opened the brown haired girl's cell.

"Lord Dracula is ready for you." One of them said, grabbing her forcefully.

"Well, if he insists." She told him.

The bright ball of light formed above the girl and Rygilya could feel the nearly overwhelming amount of mana coming from the girl. For a moment, the light blinded the vympiri. Mana formed around her as the light formed into a white sword that shined brightly just before she grabbed it. In two fluid movements she sliced clean through the two Vympiri.

"So you are competent." Rygilya said impressed.

Ignoring him, she opened Kezell's​ cell then took her by the wrist. "We're outta here."

"Free me!" Rygilya demanded.

"Hahaha. No" she told him. "Not only are you a criminal but you just told me you want to murder my brother. What are you, crazy?" She thought for a moment then added, "Actually, you must be bat shits if you thought I'd open your cell.

"You can't escape without him." Kezell said. Her eyes darting between him and the other girl.

"She's right. Even with your new ability you don't think you'll get far alone do you? It'll be only a matter of time before they sniff you out."

The girl cursed but freed Rygilya. "Try anything and I'll make you wish you'd stayed in that cell."

Rygilya snorted. "Just blow us a way out already."

"What're you?! Crazy?! No way! That'd take away my ability to form a hull! I'd be defenseless!"

"I'll take you with me." Rygilya answered.

Now the knight snorted. "Yeah. I'd rather believed Dracula decided he only wanted a hug."

"Kaden would owe me. That reason alone is enough for me to keep you alive."

"I'd rather you stay a prisoner." She said. Then moved towards the exit. "I'll stick to my original plan and try to one shot Dracula."

"Do you really think you can take down Dracula? Arrogant. Just like your brother."

"I don't honestly." She said with a shrug as she walked. "I told you, I'd rather you stay a prisoner."

"It's true I want to kill Kaden." Rygilya said catching up with her before forcing her to look at him. "But he wants this too. A fight between rivals. Warriors."

The girl looked as if she was about to sock him until she looked into his eyes. It was as if she had latched on to something while searching them. She saw he wasn't lying.

"Yeah but we aren't talking about a friendly sparring match here! You're planning to literally murder my brother! Maybe I should turn you into a stain right now. Jet would rest in peace." She said that last part with narrowed eyes as if contemplating her words.

The Darkness Tamer cursed in his mind. With that new power of her's, she could do just that. He couldn't blame her. He would've done the same for his sister, even for Kaden once upon a time.

Suddenly, the crystal walls shifted around them. The stair case that led down changed from spiraling left to right.

"What the hell?" The brown haired knight said.

Kezell clung to him to which he snatched away. "Dracula." He stated. "He's been watching us the entire time the bastard."

He could can kill us at any time.

In his heart he felt dread but his facial features shaped to show anger. "The bastard is inviting us to meet him. He probably plans to kill us all now because of you."

The girl looked at him and shrugged. "Well if I'm gonna go down, I'll go down knowing you can't get to my brother."

Rygilya watched with distain as she whirled and headed down the staircase. Seeing no other way out, he followed her. Motioning for Kezell to follow.

********

Kariah-Belle Nadire walked down the crystal staircase. The entire time she ran scenarios over and over in her head. She factor in the chance of Dracula using his lackeys. The young woman figured if it came to that, Rygilya would try to distract them while she tried to take down Dracula.

Her mind then went back to a few minutes ago when she had searched his eyes. Kariah-Belle could tell he wasn't lying when he told her Kaden wanted to fight against him.

Could they have been friends? Kariah-Belle thought.

It did make sense somewhat. If they were then it wasn't too farfetched that her brother would want to fight Rygilya if they were rivals.

A death match though? Is this why you've been pushing yourself so hard, Kaden?

Kariah-Belle clenched her fist. She understood wanting to test yourself against a rival. She didn't understand what would make these two young men want to kill each other. Was it simply to see who was stronger? Could they really be ready to kill each other over something so silly? If she managed to escape alive she'd ask Kaden himself. If she didn't like his answer then she'd make sure Iris never let him out of her sight.

It was then that the three of them came to a door way. A single crystal door standing before them.

Rygilya and Kariah-Belle exchanged looks.

"I'm gonna say this. If I survive this I'm going to avenge my friend and keep Kaden safe from you." Kariah-Belle told the Darkness Tamer. "In case that wasn't clear, I'll come for your head one day."

Rygilya snorting. Something he often did when Kariah-Belle spoke to him. "You're just as infuriating as your brother. Let's just get this over with."

Kariah-Belle nodded. She herself was sweating with anticipation. She had one shot. Just one. If she missed then it's game over.

Taking a deep breath, the young knight pushed opened the crystal door...

To find Dracula standing in front of his throne. She scanned the room as she walked further in. It was empty except for the thrown and the beautiful black crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

"There's just me." Dracula said to which Kariah-Belle's​ attention snapped back to him. She glared.

Dracula then began to clap. His face showed acknowledgement​. "You've grasp the power of Kul in only two short days. I take it back. You are like your mother." Holding his hands behind his back, Dracula went on saying, "However, you've only just scratch the surface."

Kariah-Belle clenched her teeth. Her heart began to race as Dracula strode down from the steps. He reached out his hand.

"That power does not belong to you human. Come willing and your death will be a swift one."

"Oh and it belongs to you?" Kariah-Belle snapped. Dreading what was to come.

"Yes." Dracula said. "Kul is what my people need to be born with color to their flesh and the natural ability to use Mana. It is my destiny to weild her power for my people."

"Yeah, sure." Kariah-Belle said. "I'm just gonna give you monsters the ability to be even deadlier. What're you? Crazy?"

"I have waited decades to find Kul again." He said. A sword made of black crystal forming in his hand. "Whether you come willingly or not makes no difference to me. The end result will be the same."

"We'll just see about that!" The Knight shouted.

Suddenly a ball of light formed above Kariah-Belle. She felt incredible power flow through her, the light from Kul's solid form buffing her mana hull to new heights. She could feel massive amounts of mana around her.

She pushed out her arm and the light went hurtling towards Dracula. He looked as if he was ready to defend but the ball of light stopped in front of him and brightened, temporarily blinding the vympiri lord.

The caramel skinned knight moved, a lightning clock crackling around her. It was Rygilya who had reach Dracula first then Kariah-Belle shortly after. The light faded as the ball of light turned into a sword to which the woman grabbed.

Rygilya jabbed a black lightning spear for the vympiri's skull. However the vympiri caught the spear the same time he kicked Kariah-Belle hard in the gut before she could get her strike off.

She was sent tumbling along the ground. Gasping for air, she layed on the floor.

Damn. She thought. Even with Kul's buff, he's just too fast.

She waited for air to enter her lungs. If she took another hit like that and her Mana hull would break.

She stood. Kul. I'm gonna need you to max me out. Kariah-Belle thought. To see them all again!

An image of her loved ones flashed in her mind.

In response, Kariah-Belle saw the white sword glow brighter and felt a warmth swell in her stomach. The mana rushed through her mana hull and lightning cloak, pushing them to heights she never thought she'd reach in less than a year.

Dracula who was fending of Rygilya with one hand behind his back turned his attention to her.

"Don't insult me!" The olive skinned young man said as he summoned a bunch of black lightning spears. "Lightning craft: black lightning spear barrage"

The spears of Lightning raced towards Dracula who snickered as he used his black crystal sword to deflect them away with blinding speed.

"Not bad." He said still in pose from deflecting the last spear. "For a human."

"If you liked that," Kariah-Belle now only a foot beside Dracula, already posed to strike. Dracula tensed. "You're gonna love this one!"

She roared as condensed white lightning surrounded her sword, the lightning making the blade appear bigger.

Dracula only had time to turn when Kariah-Belle brought the blade down on him screaming, ""

An explosion shook the fortress. Shards fell from the ceiling. Smoke and currents of lightning danced around the room, carving through some of the dense black crystal.

Rygilya watched on, waiting on the smoke to clear. That was it. The girls one shot skill she had planned to kill Dracula with.

The Darkness Tamer sweated with anticipation.

The smoke began to clear and all his hopes were stolen when the Knight was sent tumbling along the ground beside him.

Dracula laughed. His clothes were ruined. He had burn marks on the left side of his body and their was a large crater in the floor of his fortress. Yet he was laughing.

What scared Rygilya was the way he laughed. Even though he was clearly hit, he looked as though he wasn't injured at all.

"That was incredible!" Dracula said suddenly. "To think you manage to use Kul's power to such an extent. I dare say with more time you would surpassed your mother. Maybe even myself." He laughed more to himself.

Rygilya looked down at the young knight who was struggling to get up. Her breathing was heavy and she shook violently. She wouldn't be able to form an hull.

"Damn." Kariah-Belle said through chattering teeth. That last attack took a lot out of her, leaving her feeling abnormally cold and weak but she still managed to stand. "Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!"

Dracula composed himself and gestured to the doorway. Where the young girl had been.

The two young warriors eyes grew wide once they saw Kezell encased in black crystal.

"Damn you!" Rygilya said. He tried to move but couldn't.

He and Kariah-Belle looked down to find black crystal encasing his legs, the crystal inched upwards as if trying to consume him.

The Darkness Tamer roared as realization sunk in.

Dracula could have trapped them any time he wanted.

Kariah-Belle watched as the Darkness Tamer summoned more spears of black lightning and sent them at Dracula. The vympiri deflected them with ease.

"Futile. Accept your fate, boy. You will be traded as livestock. I know someone who would pay top price for a Darkness Tamer such as yourself​. This is the reason you are sparred. Be grateful, human."

However Rygilya wasn't listening. He simply kept conjouring lightning spears and sent them at Dracula, yelling curses and slanders. Dracula deflected each one with seemingly a flick of his wrist until finally the Darkness Tamer was completely encased in black crystals.

Kariah-Belle could only watch and await her turn.

Fear set it, her heart pounding rapidly against her chest as Dracula took a step towards her. She took a step backwards.

In an instant he was in front​ of her.

Now she stood her ground and glared. She was afraid yes, but she wouldn't show it. At least, she hoped it wasn't visible on her face.

"Do your worst, leech." She spat trying to keep her voice from cracking.

It was then that she noticed the black crystal engulfed her feet. Dread hit her gut but she did her best to keep the tears that threatened to leak at bay.

Dracula watched her. She watched him back.

"Why'd you let us attack you?" She finally asked, the crystals now up to her abdomen.

"I wanted to see if you would prove me wrong." He said simply.

"Prove you wrong?" Kariah-Belle clenched her teeth.

He had led her here just to test her. He'd let her hope and ripped it to shreds just to see if she could hold a candle to her mother.

She slapped him with her free hand.

"Bastard!" She snarled. "Humans aren't your playthings!"

Dracula stayed silent.

She bit down on her bottom lip before shouting, "Say something!"

Still Dracula stayed silent, only watching as his black crystals creeped over Kariah-Belle's body.

Her mind racing as the black crystals reached her neck.

Tears started to flow as she thought off her loved ones. Her caregivers at the orphanage. All the people she met in her short time as a Knight. Anger replaced fear at the thought of never seeing them again as well as understand how her loss would affect them.

"Damn you and all your kind!" She yelled at Dracula

Suddenly a loud explosion shook the room, calling Dracula's attention. Two more explosions sounded soon after.

The door burst open and Kariah-Belle could see the fearful expression on the vympiri's face as he said, "Lord Dracula! It's Memphis!"