Vamp City, Obscure Guild.

There was a gloomy palace filled with gold and luxury. In it stood a large, dark throne room.

On the throne sat a muscular man with pale skin, short red hair and a gigantic, heavy sword. Anyone who stepped in his shadow could feel the threatening aura emanating from him. Although he was now the vampires’ regent, Theodoric used to be the late Queen’s guard and husband. He had fought in many wars throughout his long days, killing thousands of men and women.

The Vampire Lord was one of the oldest vampires. As a high-rank, he had gotten turned during the Second War, a century and a half ago. High-rank vampires were thought to have a life span of around two centuries, and Pure vampires even longer, but there was no way to confirm it. Only medium vampires, lesser vampires and ghouls had died from old age.

If turned at a young age, the vampire would keep aging normally until his body matured. However, Theodoric Rivampe became one in his forties when Arthea bit him. As such, he appeared older than most others.

Losing the Second War, followed by internal conflicts was why so few pure and high vampires still lived. Pure vampires were the only ones that could turn humans into high vampires, but only Gabriella remained, and the vampires were now an endangered cursed species.

Two guards in black and red clothing stood on either side of him. Except for the female servant who had gotten admitted not long ago, when the last one had disappeared, all the people in the room were vampires.

The regent held a transparent phone as he dialled the fifth cursed of the Five Seats, Snoid. But after a few silent seconds, he handed the cell phone to his servant.

“And?” Under his throne, the only other high-rank vampire in the room, the counsellor, Jason, bowed respectfully.

Theodoric Rivampe frowned. “He’s not responding to my calls. What is that snake up to?”

“This is strange indeed, but I don’t see why he’d lie about finding your daughter’s location. I can leave to look for her if you’d like, my lord.”

Jason knew that finding Gabriella was crucial to their survival. Furthermore, Theodoric had met much resistance from the other high vampires since he stepped up as the regent.

‘But if we save Gabriella, the last pure blood, the other nobles will respect us again. They’re obliged to.’

The third Seat brandished his giant black sword with golden patterns as he walked outside the room.

“Jason, I’ll come with you. Bring two others. Let’s go save my child and kill some DA agents.”

…

After sealing Snoid in the soul transportation machine, Luo, Isaac, Jenna, and Aaron also left to find Gabriella.

Snoid hadn’t told them that he had also given her location to her father.

They were in a modern, armoured eight-seater. The sturdy dark grey vehicle had tinted windows and four strong wheels.

The four traversed the busy streets for a few minutes before driving into a long tube disguised as a sewer pipe. It was a hidden passage that led them above the roof.

However, before going to the roof, they had to open the large trapdoor that separated them from the sky. Next to a panel with numbers, Jenna opened the window and typed the code Snoid had given her.

The tunnel’s lid opened as they drove out into the sun.

“I couldn’t have imagined that we could just travel on the roof like this,” said Luo with his hands on the wheel.

Aaron nodded as he straightened his seat belt. “I hope no one will find us. We’re literally out in the open.”

Jenna looked at the GPS device, a small tablet. “It’ll take about an hour to catch up to them at our current speed. I think we’ll find them before they get to Vamp City.”

“Great.” Isaac clenched his fist, impatient to beat Ejiro and save Gabriella.

…

Further to the south, Seth rode on Ejiro’s back as Ejiro and Gabriella flew towards their destination.

“Wait!” Seth ordered.

Ejiro’s feet hit on the concrete roof as he landed.

“What is it?” he asked, confused.

“People are flying up ahead.”

Ejiro squinted his eyes. “Oh yeah. I didn’t see them.”

Instinctively, Gabriella knew it was her father coming for her. Yet, she didn’t feel relieved or sad as she stood firm on the solid pavement.

When the four vampires landed, her father called out her name. “Gabriella, come over here.”

With conflicting emotions, Gabriella slowly walked over to his side as she obeyed her father like always.

In his vampiric form, Theodoric crossed his arms. “You must be the DA agents I’ve heard so much about. The retired master Seth Rayn and his last apprentice, Ejiro Sani.”

“And you’re the Theodoric Rivampe I’ve heard almost nothing about,’ Ejiro frowned as he mocked him, ‘Did you know your wife almost cheated on you before I killed her; in bed?”

“W-what?!” Theodoric became silent as he realized he was facing his wife’s killer.

Hearing Ejiro shame her mother, Gabriella’s face turned pale as she hid behind her father.

The counsellor, Jason, retaliated. “But that’s not what happened, is it? The late queen tricked and turned you into a vampire before her unfortunate demise.”

Ejiro smiled dryly as he took on a fighting stance. “I thought so too, but now that I see who her husband was, I’m starting to think she really loved me.”

In truth, the young high vampire wasn’t sure if Arthea truly did love him. ‘But nothing good can come from love between a vampire and a human. She turned me, and I killed her,’ he thought.

“ENOUGH!”

Theodoric raised his sword. It was bigger than Ejiro’s. “Let’s see if you’re as good at fighting as you are at words.”

“Fine.” Ejiro imitated him and activated his vampiric form.

Despite seeming all brawns, Theodoric was wise when it came to combat. Everyone locked their eyes on the two as Ejiro and Theodoric confronted each other while waiting for the perfect moment to attack.

Unbeknownst to them, Seth had disappeared.

When he reappeared, Seth was in a vampire’s shadow and pierced his staff into the vampire’s heart, killing him instantly.

“Shit! What is this?” The Vampire Lord turned to look at what had happened.

Ejiro seized the opportunity as he jumped in but then retreated when their swords met, feeling disoriented because of the blow.

Seth looked at Gabriella’s father as he stuck out his staff. “Theodoric Rivampe. My disciple wants to get more recognition from this mission and become a master-rank mage. Please spar with him.”

The old vampire felt threatened. Seth could have easily killed him with his ability, yet he had chosen to kill off a medium vampire instead.

“You shouldn’t have revealed your trump card so soon. Jason, take care of this guy!”

From his belt, Jason took out a revolver in shotgun mode. “Of course, my lord.”