On the Building of Economics, Alana was the first one in and she instantly started looking around. She soon stops and puts her hand on her hip.

“M’Lord, I do not read nor speak Malawuke.”

“Took you long enough to realize. Step aside then, I’ll translate for you. Elizabeth, can you read the language?”

“Not at all My Lord.”

“Bahamut?”

“Well Master… It looks like drawings.”

“Good enough. Miss Receptionist!”

With a quaint stare, the skinny Elven woman minding her own business on the entrance door turned her face to the human.

“How may I help you, sir?”

“Do you have anything in Common or English?”

“Hmmmm… we might have one on the notice board. English… is that the Common from the other world, sir?”

“Yes. I speak and write that one.”

“Let me check sir…” she then goes into her papers and shuffles through a pile on her desk. “If I may ask… but do all Elves know how to write?”

“No sir. I am actually one of the twenty people in the Capital that knows how to write. Ten works here and another ten on the Mother Tree.”

“R-Really?”

“We don’t really have much use for writing. Most if not everything is shown with drawings or exchanged through verbal means. It was only eighty years ago when the Chiefs started to get more involved with the Outsiders that they allowed people to learn languages and writings, sir.”

“I see… very interesting. Bahamut!” in her dragon form. Bahamut sneaks up into the desk in her small kitten sized form. “Yes Master?”

“Can you see if there’s any Common around here?”

“I looked at the notice board and there is indeed Common. Though it's on the upper right hand and very few.”

“That M’Lord! I wanna see whatever is on that notice board!”

“Just wait a bit Alana.” he then lifts his beret and swipes his hair back. “So, found anything in English yet?”

“Hmmmm…” the Elven woman with a long ponytail that reaches her waist looks up and sees Bahamut in her small Dragon form. Sniffing around the desk like a dog. “OH MY! LOOK AT HOW CUTE YOU ARE!” Without even asking for permission, she holds Bahamut like a kitten. The Dragon completely froze as her long slender fingers picked her up. “M-Master?”

“Ahahahahaha, looks like the Elves have a thing for cute little danger lizards.”

“For a small creature, you sure have a very womanly voice. Is that Dragonian I hear? I also speak that language. Hello… hello.”

“Put me down, woman! I am not a house cat! I am Bahamut! The Majestic Void Dragon God!”

“Ohhh what a spicy deep voice! Come here to my bosom." The Elven woman then hugs the Dragon tightly.

“Just be careful. Domesticated Dragons might be very friendly. But there are still wild animals deep down. Even ones that can talk are still unpredictable at times.”

“Is that so?” She then lets go of the Dragon. Letting it breathe. “MASTER! I ALMOST SUFFOCATED FROM HER BREASTS!” Paul immediately smiles at the Elf and gently takes Bahamut from her hands. Letting the Dragon rest on his palm and gently started scratching the side of her belly. “Ahahahahaha, yeah. That’s what a talkative Dragon sounds like.”

“Awwww did I disturb the little girl?”

“Don’t worry. Bahamut can breathe without air. She just got a bit panicked due to her small size. Fun fact, Black and Red Dragons can swim under lava. Thanks to their heavy weight as full adults, they actually sink with their bodies. They slither like snakes when on lava. When young, they’d just swim on lava or sink just a meter or two below.”

“My Lord, can we pick up the pace?”

“Of course Elizabeth. Just let Bahamut calm down first.”

“Wow… you must be some sort of trainer for Dragons too sir?”

“I don’t have a certificate but I sure can take care of them.” he then lifts Bahamut. His hands just below her frontal legs as he holds the little black armored dragon like a small cat. “Bahamut here is what we call a Black Dragon, Void type. A rare type that can teleport freely between the Void and the physical world. They are also not known to be very docile. Black Dragons share the same ego and pride as Red Dragons.”

“Ego and Pride? I’ve only seen Dragons in texts from the outside world and drawings that were left by our ancestors. I never knew they’d possess such emotions. In stories, they seem to be old wise beasts Heroes or Kings would talk to.”

“Oh they do. Dragons are some of the most hardest to train and control. But if you succeed and earn their trust. They’ll take a bullet for you. The best way to know that is if you turn your back on one and if they don’t attack you. Then you're fine.” he then places Bahamut on the desk and turns around. The Black Dragon then jumps off the ledge. Opening her wings as she uses her claws to latch onto his back and she then crawls to his shoulder and sits down.

Amazed, the Elf stands up and claps her hands. Her eyes sparkling at the sight before her. Her wide smile says it all as the woman petted Bahamut. Though annoyed, the Dragon just took it in silence. Enjoying her softer hands than her Masters.

“So… about those papers in English.”

“Oh my! I’ll get to it!”

She then divides a stack of papers and puts them up on the board. He takes a gander at it. Inspecting the paper that’s with numbers and letters in English. Though the grammar could use more work, it can be understood and he knew what they were looking for.

“It’s mostly just what the Elves need from our more modern societies. We got people asking for metal buckets, some for grass cutters, shears, composite bows, even guns, and… huh? Who needs that? The heck are the Wood Elves up to? Nothing else really.”

Alana then switches her attention to the ones in Common.

“Anything about the Wine Countess? Export for fruits? Or snails?

“Fruits seem to be a lot in their requests, Your Majesty. But I also deal with loans and such. Having debt control over the Elves might prove useful in the future.”

The General then peeks at the Common papers and he sees apples that’re illustrated to be jumping and another one with an English note underneath its Common “We also need this! Green Gerald Grapes! Willing to buy in Aeralous!” which shows a green grape growing on sharp leafed bushes.

“They want Jumping Apples…? What? And also a lot of Green Gerald Grapes… I have no idea what those are.”

“Jumping Apples are a Dragovh speciality, My Lord. I actually eat those every morning as they help with preparing the Brain and Body for the long day ahead. They called that because when they fall from the trees, they’d bounce twice or thrice… I also use them against Nobles that dare disturb me in my silence at the Throne Room.”

“Alana, explain.”

“Her Majesty before she lost her mind and all used to throw Jumping Apples at Nobles in the Throne room. My family was actually the first victim of it. Sir Minuit the First was laughing at the corner of the Throne room and she threw her morning Apple and it bounced from the side of the wall and to him.”

“PFFFFTT….” the General instantly holds his tummy while Bahamut lifts her hand. “Yes Bahamut, it tastes good. As someone who loves sweets. Apples are not only that, but also very healthy.” as Paul puts his hand up his mouth and he breathes in and out carefully. “I am in uniform. I mustn’t laugh. Phew….”

“My Lord. Wanna know who my second victim was?”

“N-No Elizabeth. Please, not here.”

“It was the King himself.”

“PFFFFFFTTTT… Wha-what did he do?”

“Oh nothing, he dare make me eat seafood.”

“Eh? What’s wrong with seafood?”

“I don’t like them. Even when cooked, they look very ugly and unpresentable in my eyes.”

“R-Really?! I thought you just didn’t like them but not hated it to that degree. Like, a good tuna will come a long way. No need for a presentation. Fish is easy to get, cook, and eat.”

“I’ve always seen it as a Commoner's food. After all, it's mostly the Peasantry that’d fish and cook it. I even banished them from the Palace and my personal Castle.”

“Fish is everywhere and most if not all towns are next to rivers and bodies of water. Of course it’d be the food Peasants eat most. But I swear, if you tried maybe… Shrimp! You’d change your mind.”

“Shrimp? I’ve seen Outworlders eat those in the cities. I do not like how they look.”

“Th-then…” Alana then places her hand on his shoulder and shrugs. “I guess so… well. Where to now?”

“M’Lord, I’d like to go upstairs. It seems like we’re not restricted in our movement anyways.”

“Uhmmm Miss Elf.”

“Yes sir?”

“Can we go upstairs?”

“Of course! All visitors are free to go around see how we work. But please do not disturb anyone working or moving things. But help them if you wish to. We’d like it if visitors could go experience our more communal life. There should also be more papers and notices in Common and English on top.”

“Alrighty then. Thank you.” He then turns around and makes a small thumbs up. “Alana, we got the all green.”

He then leads the group to the staircase. The Elves ignored them and went on with their day, not minding the foreigners lingering about their establishment. Moving small boxes and crates around while piling materials on another section, the busy place was in full motion on the cold day. Outside, a huge colorful bird of orange and black with four wings and sharp beak lands behind the building. With two feathery tails, it lowers its neck and a Wood Elf exits out of it wearing a suit and into the establishment.

“Oh Oslom. You’ve returned from the Hunting trip?”

“Yup. Anything interesting today Gadrun?”

“Two humans, one being a Dragon in disguise with two Vampires, went upstairs just now. Looks like the younger Vampire was looking for something specific.”

“Oh! That must be the envoy from the Outworlders. Which staircase did they go up?”

“Main one next to my place.”

“While I’m gone, load up the next shipment. The Roving Traders have arrived today and are settling in on the outskirts as scheduled.”

“Buy me one of those new bows! I heard the Outworlders have this thing they call Composite Bow. One of the Adventurers from their world that visited us had them and I want one!”

“I’ll get to it, Gadrun. I’ll be needing you then when you get that bow.”

“Way better than being here. Though petting little Dragons might be a good reason to stay here every now and then… hehehehehe…”

Going up to the second floor. He sees the human General peeking into doors with three women behind him. “Ahem.” it caughts his attention and Paul looks at the stairs and sees Oslom wearing a more modern outfit than his leather armor and cap. The two nodded at each other and the human walks to him and holds out his hand. The Elf looks down on it and he smiles and shakes it.

“Ahahahah, good to see you wearing something more of my style.”

“I’ll be leaving the forest in an hour or so and delivering some Arckas Wood to the traders.”

“Is this the wood you use for building?”

“Hm. Also for support and foundations. It can only be found on certain trees that have reached an age. Arckas as it's called, which means of Old Age in my language.”

“I see. Well, Alana here is looking for anything involving snails or wine.”

“Ah, I already know what she means by snails. There should be some on the third floor but it's going to be sent to Dragovh by the Holy See.”

“WHAT?!” the Countess stops next to the General. “My Common might be crude after staying in my home country for so long, but did you say it was going to be sent to the Holy See?”

“Hm. They are near extinct and the Holy See has a well known Conservation in Dragovh that’s protected and maintained by the Dragon Kingdom and the Holy Church. As much as we disagree with them. They have the best means in preserving these rare little ones.”

She then turns around and puts her hand up her chin. Carefully thinking.

“So that’s why the Bishop or whatever was here.”

“Oh, I’m surprised it didn’t end with a fight. The Holy See holds more resentment to the Vampires than we do. The Bishop was also here to do Missionary work. We tend to let them be as Forrus believes in all religions. No matter the God or Goddess as it's all part of nature.”

“He was angry but good to see them going Conservation. Seeing how brutal the landscape is here, so many animals would be going extinct by the decades alone.”

“Their one of the only institutions next to us, the Elves and the Dragons that does it. Though extinction is part of the cycle, and your species replacement is a natural occurrence that happens every time. Some of them have helped people so much that they must be preserved.”

“Ah, interesting. But what did the Snails do? I remember Elizabeth telling me their blood or mucus is used for the rare Purple dye.”

“That’s the ignorant version of the Vampires. Since they lack the need for potions thanks to their healing, what they do not know is that the Shaire Snails’ blood is used for potent Healing Potions and Concoctions to cure severe illnesses.”

He reaches for his dusty jacket and shows a Magenta Potion in a small round glass cylinder the size of one's finger. “Their blood can be extracted to make this. But since Shaire Snails are very small and fragile. We can only get about ten in a month with their numbers in small vials like this.”

“Woah… I wonder. Is that comparable to High Level Healing Potions? Bahamut!” The Dragon then appears next to him and opens her palm. Revealing a Crimson Red Potion on a large flask. “This here is created by using Wheat, Dragon Blood, and Feather of a Redgrave Crow. The only common thing there is wheat. The rest, you can only buy through certain people. I know my supplier. Though I don’t know if she’s here in Threa.”

“Interesting, may I try it?”

“Of course. It has the Feather of a Redgrave, temporarily giving you some of its abilities like its Accelerated Healing Skill.”

He opens the flask and gives a pint to Oslom who first bows and thanks Forrus. “Hm. It tastes like… bread?”

“It might just be the wheat. There are other versions too using other ingredients with varying buffs or even temporary skills. It also changes the taste. Redgrave Feathers don’t really do that sadly but I’ve tasted ones with Demon Tusks and those were spicy as heck.”

As the two conversed. Elizabeth has already gone about her own way. Looking at the rooms and checking what they're doing till she’d get noticed. Soon after, the woman reaches the third floor and her nose perks up. Following its scent, the clacks of her heels through the wooden floor reaches the ears of two Elven guards on the door. They both look at the hallway and notice no one but the door behind them was already opened and closed.

Lifting the tip of her finger, a small fire is created and her eyes widen with a sparkle at the sight of small Snails with oilish red skin and blue slippery shells properly in open crates with fruits and plants. Leaning down, the towering appearance of the beautiful angelic blonde as the snail's two small protruding eyes turns to her in freight as she observes the little snail with devious emerald eyes.

“If you only knew how much you're worth.”

The door opens and the Elves look in confusion. “We saw it right? There was light inside!” On the second floor, she reappears once again and sees that Alana is looking at a catalog of things the Wood Elves need and she has a pen and a paper while Oslom and Paul continue to chat with each other. “Yeah! Expand Dong is a legit spell! I swear to my life!”

“Expand Dong? What do you humans use that for?”

“As if only humans use such potions. You should see what it does to an Orc. I had to stop one from rampaging inside a town with Bahamut long ago.”

“That was only two years ago, Master.”

“Yeah, that’s long ago.”

Seeing that no one noticed her disappearance. Elizabeth nonchalantly inspects the catalog with Alana.

“Seems that the Wood Elves have not recovered from their former self sufficiency.”

“With the hundreds of tribes around this region. I don’t doubt that it will take them hundreds of years more to recover. Though looking at this Your Majesty, looks like they’ve undone most of the damage you’ve committed against them.”

“The Capital after all does make the most of the critical goods. Seeing that list, my work is still apparent to this day. Wood Elves still needing mere fruits? Hahahahaha, that is the result of my plans.”

“But with that, the grapes they need I can supply. Though I find it disheartening, the Shaires aren’t available for purchase.”

“If my memory serves me right. The Holy See’s Geraldian Church is the most corrupt. With a bit of payments and contracts, you should be able to attain one or two without much haste.”

“The presence of the Minuit Family in Geraldia would set off alarms back at home though. This must be done with great secrecy.”

“Nonetheless, I think it's better to just leave the snails alone.”

“Hm?”

“Countess, those Snails I’ve fought for and spilled the eternal blood of Vampires. I do not think it's worth it for profits when this will spark the many problems these small creatures have created. Even the Humans will get involved I am sure if they find out the rarest purple known to this planet is back.”

“... You might be right, Your Majesty, but who will say humans won’t do what you suggested?”

“Let them be. We Vampires have better things now than mere Snails.”

“You’ve changed a lot more than I expected, Your Majesty.”

“General Mar once said that I shouldn’t be left to my own devices for I create either marvels or destruction. I understood that now… after being reawakened. I merely laughed at him and his comment back then as I was living in what I’d call the peak of the Vampire Kingdom.”

“You're here now, Your Majesty. Better not let the past cloud you like many others who are as old as you are.”

“I know. But it's fun to reminisce when alone. The peace can be addictive till you find yourself lonely and without anyone to lean on.”

“... Your Majesty, where did you go?”

“Just somewhere. Do you need help?”

“Hm. Do you think it would benefit the Kingdom if I was to bring in more of these or that?”

As the two Vampires conversed. Paul and Oslom sit down on a bench in the hallway. The General then notices the Elf looking at Elizabeth. Not breaking contact as employees of the building would pass them. “Bahamut, do you want to explore?”

“Uhm… yes. Master.”

“You can go around. Just don’t burn or eat anything alright?”

“R-Really Master?”

The Dragon then walks to the hallway sniffing the air.

“So, what’s up?”

“How can you trust that woman?”

“Elizabeth? What about her?”

“That woman has not once said anything without carrying a past to it. I know this is common amongst Vampires for how long they’ve lived. But that woman, whenever she speaks…”

“It’s better not to think too deeply into it. I’ve talked to many Vampires in the Kingdom and to people outside of it and they all have different versions of Elizabeth in their minds. What was taught to them is what they remember.”

“See, that woman. She never reveals who she truly is. How can a human trust someone like that?”

“Well… this might sound stupid but I believe the current version she shows to me is the real her or has pint of her real self.”

“Hmmmm… I do not know. Even right now, I do not sense she’s showing her full self.”

“Maybe. But just like Bahamut. I know they carry a lot of baggage. I believe it's better to just leave them be. If they want to reveal something, then so be it. Aren’t Elves big on privacy? The High Elves are so secretive and hidden. More than you people.”

“Secrets are not something to be proud of in the Elven Community. We see it as someone hiding their true self. Nature never hides anything and we must reflect the same if we wish to protect it.”

“Ahhhhh, you people are the complete opposite of the Vampires that’s for sure. The only Vampire that’s been superbly truthful to me has been Alana, though I know she’s still hiding things from me and the two Vampires that were in love with her. Everyone else, I know has not told me the full truth or just a speckle of it. But I make do, and so far, it's been working.”

“I just fear her. She isn’t unlike the others that say half truths to help themselves. No, she’s saying half truths for she wants to find out who you are and what she’ll be able to use it for later. When she spoke to me, she was probing me. Finding out how much we’ve changed and how far we’ve reached ever since then. Ancients like her possess something else.”

“You do know who she is right?”

“I do not care. My vision of her is just that. An ancient whose time has gone pass but carries with her whatever the Vampires used to think and see. A forgotten being living in the present.”

“Your vision of her isn’t wrong… but she’s more than that. Believe me. Like Bahamut, there are both women out of time. They just need a little help and I know they can do great things.”

“I never truly understood you humans. Your power to put faith and love into things that can kill you with a single thrust or stare.”

“Well, that wouldn’t make me human if I wasn’t now right? You know, Bahamut has great potential. But she’d rather fight and become stronger when she can create and make than cause chaos and devastation.”

“The Dragon God? What did she inherit anyways? Looking at her outfit, I think it's something pertaining to Death?”

“Bahamut inherited the God of the Void. But after gaining that body, she told me she also got the Goddess of Death and Unmaking. I do not know what transpired when we got teleported to Vitas accidentally. She’s hiding something that’s for sure but at the same time, Bahamut never truly lies to me. One day, I’ll figure out what it is. She might just not be comfortable saying too much.”

“After gaining a body?”

“Hm. Gods are special, they need containers that are capable of holding their extremely powerful souls. Bahamut in the lore made a humanoid body in the likeness of the Void. Hence her pale skin and dark colors. She’s as cold and paintless as the Void and holds the same cold air as it. We… killed her humanoid body in an Event. So she took the bones of someone powerful enough in Vitas. The one they call Mors Letum. Something tells me Mors Letum wasn’t actually dead.”

“Mors Letum was never dead to begin with. She holds the Primordial concept of Death. She can never die unless…”

“See, I already know something. But not everything. Yet something deep inside me tells me it's better to be left alone. I do not know what she did to gain the Divinities of Mors Letum. But Bahamut stayed the same albeit a bit more talkative now than before.”

“Haaaaayaaa human. I do not know whether to tell you good luck or make a bet on how long you’ll last.”

“Do both. If I die of natural causes, then I lasted. If not, tough luck.”

“I understand my cousins now and why they barred Humans from entering their lands.”

“Oh the High Elves won’t be like that for long. Sooner or later, they’ll know their economic model won’t hold up and will need to mingle more with the rest of the world.”

The General stands up, stretching his body. “You two done?” Elizabeth and Alana turn around and nod elegantly. “Alright. Let’s return to base. I have a crap ton of paperwork to do.”

“M’Lord, shall I go and find Bahamut?”

“Yes please. I’ll talk to the Captain and get the convoy going. Mister Oslom, it's been a wonderful experience and your hospitality far exceeds my expectations. I’ll be sure to write as many good words as I can.”

“Please do come back, I know we aren’t as accessible as most places. But we Wood Elves would do better. I know if we could connect more with the outside world.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Maybe a helicopter service or something.”

“We do have Harlequin birds that we use for transport. But there are far fewer in between and the tribe that used to have the most of them has long brokered off from us and lives in the edges of the forest now.”

“A what now?”

Taken to the back, the General’s jaws fall on the huge bird.

“Holy shit…. That thing is the size of a Flanker.”

“Flanker?”

“It’s a fighter jet back on Earth. Wow….”

“Impressive isn’t he? That’s Swallowing Boar.”

“Ah, your pets are named the old way?”

“Hm. We kept it as a way to remember how we used to name ourselves.”

The Elf walks up to the huge creature whose head easily reaches the second floor. With six antennas on its head that's swept backwards and a colorful orange and black beak. It lowers its head to meet with Oslom as his hand glides through its feathers.

“W-Woah…”

“He isn’t afraid. Come close if you want.”

“S-Sure.”

Walking to it, the General touches the creature and his face makes a smile at how smooth its feathers were. He then gestures for the trio to come and touch the bird and they all smile at the moment. “Hmph. Mine is still better.” Bahamut then holds the Emerald Brooch she was gifted as her other hand lightly strokes Swallowing Boar’s feathers.

“Bahamut, don’t be jelly now.”

“As if!”

“Ahahahaha, don’t worry. Your hardened scales will always be my favorite alright?”

“H-Hmph!”

“Oh, what is this? My Bahamut showing a bit of Tsun tsun?”

“I don't even know what that is, Master.”

“Alana knows. Right?”

“I couldn’t believe that Bahamut had such a side, M'Lord.”

“I know right? Looks like that body is changing her a lot more than I expected. Nonetheless, Oslom. I’ll be departing now. I still have a duty back at Schon.”

“Schon? Oh please. Do be careful.”

“I know. I’ve been to many of its parts now and the only place that doesn’t have ruins laying around or bones on the ground is the Vampire Kingdom. So don’t worry, I’m in a safe place.”

“Then, please do take this.”

Oslom hops onto Swallowing Boar and goes to its mounted pack on its back and throws something shiny at him which he caught. “What’s this?!”

“It’s a lucky charm from us! Please do take care of it! I bid you the blessing of the Forest General!”

“I will! Thank you!”

He then walks forward to the head and sits down on the saddle. “Please, a few steps back!” They follow his instructions and the four wings of the big bird start flapping with a crate strapped to its pack mount on its back. Without much effort, the large creature takes off and Oslom makes a gesture with his two fingers. A small salute as he flew away. “Well, time to go home ourselves.”

Soon after, the group returned to the Outpost and the General got a parade exit as he boarded the Pave Low back to the Airbase. He said his goodbyes to the Colonel and the Captain and saluted the two as he got into the aircraft and was taken away. Inside the rattling fuselage of the chopper, Paul slumps down and makes a deep sigh of relief. Bahamut sees this and sits down next to him with Elizabeth and Alana.

“Master, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

“What’s the problem, Master?”

“I just thought that everyone back at High Command is seriously making huge mistakes and at the same time. I don’t know what can be done about it. Doesn’t help that they aren’t telling us everything. Aggghhh…”

“I do not know much about politics nor its workings. But I do know that good people like you are within the ranks, Master. I am sure it will work out in the end.”

“I hope… I truly do. But this adventure vacation of ours really showed that Ripper and everyone else might be too much excited for their own good.”

“M’Lord.”

“Yes Alana?”

“I do think it's better to probe your High Command. I fear that the problems, many could be natural of the corruption and limitation of Mankind's ability, some may be artificial and meant to cause disruption.”

“If I want to do that, then I’d need to be free from the shackles of my current objectives Alana. I can’t shake the tree with my hands already full of something else.”

“Even with your communications, M’Lord?”

“It might be easy for you to say but what comes with that is a crap ton of bureaucracy. One that even a Vampire like you will have a hard time doing. Believe me, stuff like this takes months and years for a reason. Gathering evidence, looking into their daily lives and what they are spending and their spending… ahhhh… Elizabeth. How did you do it before?”

“If a person is suspected of corruption, My Lord. I am not able to deduce it first hand or with my spies. I’d hire a Mage and have them interview the person in question in front of the Court with everyone to see.”

“And if they are caught?”

“I’d have them beheaded… unless the King has other plans which I’d obey, My Lord.”

“In terms of doing it in secret?”

“The art of disappearing people My Lord comes with having to make sure you’d know their weaknesses and using that to make them… get into an accident.”

“That also takes so much time. Bahamut, can you use your Godly magic to do it?”

“Master, I’d rather not become an Evil God or one that abuses their power for something as petty as this. For a God, mortal problems like this would be a misuse of my power and divinity. The Universe does not care for you or what mortal problems you have. As part of the universe’s great vast agents of power. I cannot do that.”

“Yeahhh… There’s truly nothing instant even with magic… Bahamut, you act when stuff about the cycle of life and nature is being disturbed right?”

“Yes Master.”

“Then maybe we can use Evil Gods… naw. If I do that, what makes me different from the others.”

“Master, there is a reason why the Primordial Gods are mostly seen as Evil. For they are unhinged, they pick no one and would anyone who prays to them what they want. I do not do that. I give what a follower needs, not wants. To give a mortal what they want will only call for chaos and devastation. Give a mortal what they need and they will live a life of limit and prosperity.”

“Spoken like a true God. Hmmmm…”

“Master, why not instead try to ask for your friend's help?”

“They're all busy. Everyone is busy. Remember, we’re technically an Empire and an Empire has many borders right?”

“Hm.”

“So that means we get into many conflicts and would have to occasionally stop a Guild or two from detaching from us with their modern weapons.”

“Haaaaa… the plight of humanity is something I’ll never get around Master.”

“Don’t worry. Neither will we do.”

Sighing again, the General looks out the window and sees the wonderful forest spanning as far the eye could see. Birds were flying and as the chopper descended below the crowns of the trees. He gets to see a patrol of a Wood Elf tribe wearing darker colors. With great speed, they surround a large tree that's walking on its roots and attacking with its branches as it spews a cloud of smoke from its leaves.

“Ugh, a Cancer.”

“Hm? What’re those, Elizabeth?”

“They're called Kako Carcinos Morcae, My Lord. Trees that have been struck with a curse, making them able to move around and take sustenance from the blood and flesh of creatures.”

“You called them a cancer. That means…”

“There is no cure for them, My Lord. Maybe the incineration of the forest, but even with that. They might just appear in some forest somewhere else.”

“Do you know the origins of those things?”

“Hmph. Even in my travels, I’ve never found anything. They're just named as Cancer or the Cursed Ones.”

The Elves below then throw another Spear. This one with a rope attached to the person and as it implanted itself into the bark. The Elf turns his hand into a fist and energy is sent into the tree. Cooking its inside and its leaves burning up till only the branches remained. It then completely collapses just as the chopper leaves the scene. The battle was quick and fast, with little damage to the surroundings.

Back at the Airbase, the place was as busy as usual, bustling with vehicles and aircraft taking off and landing by the minute. General Paul is in the Administrative Building, eyes twitching as his face showed great pain with his hands crossed and his feet rapidly and annoyingly tapping the marble tiles of the expensive floor.

“C’mon, c’mon.”

“Sorry General, but the system says we cannot bypass the ticket system.”

“CAN’T BYPASS THE FUCKING WHAT?! AHHHH! Fuck! Look, can’t you just insert in the system that it's a LITERAL FIVE STAR GENERAL ASKING FOR IT?!”

“Nope. It won’t allow me sir. It says you must submit a ticket of request and order like the other Officers.”

“That’s fucking bullshit and you know it. Just bypass it or something!”

The cute and introverted receptionist is unable to tackle the overbearing aura of the mad General, whose anger is seeping through his face as he leans over the counter to look at the monitor which says “Cannot be done. Please try again later.”

“Grrrrrr!”

“Sir, I recommend just talking to General Ripper for this.”

“Talk? The guy is fucking insane. The dribble that comes out of his mouth drains me more than the two vampires behind me.”

“Well sir, only Ripper can-”

“Shhhhhh… my pretty flower.” He calms down and places his index finger on her mouth. “Can you not really do anything?”

“N-no sir.”

“FUCK!”

Standing straight up, the General walks over to the left to where General Ripper is. Already, he could hear him blasting Vietnam War Era music through the door. Opening it, he is met with the man smoking a Cigar with one panel of his giant window open to let the smoke through.

“Ah, Jackson. How may I help you?”

“Ripper, I want you to speed this order through the ranks.”

Handing to him the paper, the General nods and with a grin, sets it down on his table.

“I’ll get it through Jackson. Good idea you have here. Looks like peace sells in this world.”

“Good idea? How can you call yourself a General when you didn’t even try your best to communicate with the opposing party? Are you fucking insane Ripper? Do you know what you almost just started? Ordering a firebombing? Seriously?”

“Oh no… nooo… I am not. But I am aware of the situation.”

“Situation? What situation? That the Wood Elves were more than willing to talk to us and negotiate?”

He stands up and with his hands behind his back, walks over to Paul, face to face, eye to eye. Breathing out, Ripper's cigar smoke flies to his face as it bounces off and stays in the air around them.

“That we’re missing eighty percent of our Black Ops soldiers, their officers and equipment all leaving us ALL THE WHILE, we’re stretched thinner than a transparent condom thrown in an alleyway dumpster. Reach Vitas, win the war. Yeah right, we’ve all been playing Chess Jackson while our enemies are playing Checkers. Our High Command and those who work against us are both in an entirely different plane of warfare and we’re losing.”

“One problem at a time Ripper, do you know the consequences of your actions? You have the key to the nuclear bombers stationed in this airbase. I know the city of Zavalda trusts you and it's military industry. But for the LOVE OF CHRIST, DO NOT THROW IN THE WAR BUTTON AS AN IMMEDIATE OPTION.”

“Oh wow! Nuclear! Goodness me Jackson. That they are, are Mana Cores set to explode. Nothing Nuclear about that. Let us not throw around that word and get the people riled up and angry can we?”

“Stop fucking with me Ripper. Yeah, Mana Nukes don’t create radiation, but their kilotons and scale of destruction are all the same. It’s a fucking greenpeace nuke, and having them doesn’t mean its an option. I can’t believe you think bombing a forest would solve anything. Even recommending it to the Colonel on station, right in the ground.”

Ripper with a tired and inexpressive emotion puts his hands up his face, and slowly lowers it as his fingers trace his cheeks. “I’ll personally send your request, Jackson. Consider it done. I like you General, you have eyes that show the brutality of humanity and its courage. The problem with the Wood Elves shall be considered resolved then.”

“It better fucking be. Don’t do stupid shit like that, you think war is easy? Wait till you actually get to it. It's not easy at all.”

“General, I am a warmonger. But I am not stupid.”

“... … …”

As he is about to leave the room, the Knight General stops. “And when you meet those suits, tell them to stop fucking with this world and probe themselves. I am willing to be the first in line. We have problems from within and it's rotting the entire military infrastructure with you and me getting vague orders or constantly being sent to missions without care for breaks and vacation.”

“Hah, as if the suits care. All they want is to look good, and be good in the eyes of the mass. They don’t care even if the truth is that slaves are a common sight and used daily, the good ones at least will feign ignorance as they get Popularity Points. Same with the state of the military, as long as we’re producing arms and sending it to the front, we’re winning battles and the objectives they put forth are being accomplished. Nothing will be done.”

“Fucking hell… just get a plane ready. I wanna go back.”

“Don’t defect on us now, General.”

“I won’t.” he slams the door and breathes out as the three women look at him in silence. “C’mon. He said he’ll get the request through personally. That should do it.”

“My Lord, are you sure that he will do it?”

“Ripper is one thing but he never goes back on his word. That is what makes him so high in the ranks of the Men of the Woods. Heck, with him doing it. That should actually get people moving faster than a paper being sent around a web and network of people and desks.”

“If you say so, My Lord.”

“C’mon. I’ll get a plane arranged to take us back to Schon.”

They soon boarded a C-130 as nightfall came. Inside the rattling cargo hold. The General with his arms crossed and his beret over his face loudly snores as Bahamut sat next him with Elizabeth and Alana. All three of them soon dozing off. The plane flew for multiple days and landed once on an airfield on the shores of Schon. The General took the time to read and learn the many rules and regulations that keep getting more and more updated.

Before he knew it, the days flew by without notice and they’ve already returned to the Airbase that sat right outside of the border of the Vampires. Right after landing, Alana hugs the air as the General shivers with the cold hitting him like a wall of below zero air. Soon, a Vampire came and took her request back to her Manor which sends back her coach to pick the group up. Their trip didn’t stop as they stormed back to the Capital city and Paul took the opportunity to rest up as much as he could. Sleeping in the extremely comfortable leather seats of the Minuit’s carriage.

Back in the Capital of the vampires, all poshed up once again and in his best look. Paul slouched down as he entered the dance room and all the vampires were still there. “D-Did they just multiply?” The scene was more livelier than before with more people attending and the party not even showing any signs of slowing down as everyone was seemingly stuck in the moment, enjoying it to the fullest without a care to the time.

“M’Lord, it's just that others prefer to come in the last days or in the middle.”

“So you're telling me right now, there’s more people to come?”

“Yes M’Lord. We could be expecting a few more hundred guests as the other families finish up on whatever they were working on and finally get enough time to attend the Bal Masque. I wonder when the Duchy of East Bergenden will arrive. They still haven’t responded to my letters.”

“FU- Okay, I’m just stressed. I’ll be in the garden, take care of Bahamut for me, Alana. Thank you.”

“It shall be done, M'Lord. Though I recommend you talk to the King and Queen aftwards, as you can see, the flags on the end of the Hall are now two. Meaning they are willing to take questions.”

He squinted his eyes and could faintly see two flags on the end of the room where two huge Thrones are placed. There was a long line of Nobles already there, bowing elegantly as others offered gifts while some asked questions.

“I don’t know, looks like there’s still a huge amount of people there. Later, I’ll try to see if I can squeeze my way through. Though would it be fine for a human to do something like that?”

“Yes M’Lord. I suggest you talk to both of them and maybe see if it's time to set a court date and finally see if the Vampires High Society is willing to allow full Neutrality to the Outworlders endeavors in Schon.”

“Yeah and I’m going to need a long long time to myself to take it all in. I don’t even know where to start if I was gonna begin a conversation like that. Coming back from the forest, my head is still not in the game.”

“Do take your time M’Lord. But as Ripper said, there are bigger things happening out there. We shouldn’t be bogged down here.”

“I’ll take that into consideration. Keep a watchful eye on Bahamut now.”

Alana elegantly bows and grabs Bahamut by the shoulder before she was able to take a bite of a passing Croquette and proceeded to drag the tall woman to their seat as the General went down to the cold and snow covered garden where the Ancient Queen was at. With her hands together and peacefully in silence, enjoying the beautiful lights of the capital city’s skyline.

Seeing that there was no one else but the lightly falling snow and the bright lights of the medieval metropolis, he came to join her and as he stood next to the beautiful woman, on her hand was a wine glass and next to her, a Wine bottle on the stone railing. The woman would take small sips and savor the taste before sipping again, biding her time as she smiled at the sight of the buildings. She’d swirl the wine on the glass and would take a few seconds to take a look at it before taking a small quick smell.

“Nice city.”

“Thank you, My Lord. About the City of the Night. It was named that way as it was supposed to be able to house vampires incapable of standing out in the open sun. That’s why we put so much attention into the houses, so that people that may be unable to go out during the day may be able to enjoy the night just the same.”

“It worked though. To this day, I am shocked that every house and apartment here from inside and out was given so much attention. I’ve grown up in large cities full of square and rectangular buildings with no decor at all. Unlike here. Kinda makes me wanna stay here a bit to just take in all in. Even in this garden, there are Stone Gargoyles and Victorian architecture spread everywhere.”

“Oh, so you call it Victorian. That style is called Elizabethan here. Named after yours truly, My Lord.”

“You did have a great idea. Make things look so good eternally living creatures wouldn’t get bored of seeing the same building everyday. But knowing you, I’m sure you had some plan about blocking out the Sun or something.”

Elizabeth looked at him and tilted her head. “How’d you know?”

“E-Eh? EH?! You guys planned to block out the Sun?!”

“Not the entire Sun My Lord. But only on this part. My original idea, albeit it ever reached anywhere apart from the drawing board, was to have clouds to always be present and only have certain parts of the Kingdom where fields are plenty to have sunlight.”

“Uh huh… what happened?”

She lets her wine down and lifts her hand elegantly as she starts talking about the past.

“We discovered the art of blood sharing amongst vampires. If one were to drink the blood of a new vampire, like me who has gotten powerful enough to be immune to the Sun, it will carry through like genes of sorts. Like a human's immunity to certain diseases that was passed down from their parents.”

“Interesting, so that’s a thing huh? But wouldn’t their weakness also transfer?”

“Ah but that’s why we experiment and find out. Immortality’s biggest benefit if thou shalt ask me is the ability to bide one's time and fully explore the subject at hand before actually testing it on your people. Though humans and older Elves do not have the luxury of such things. After much trial and error, we perfected it and now. All old Vampires who enter the Kingdom can freely be given this power and walk out in the Sun without trouble.”

“How long do Elves live anyways?”

“Up to four to five hundred years. Other than that, anyone older or those whom they consider as Elder would just be probably lucky, like the ones you met. The Chiefs of the two tribes were I am sure, up to such years.”

“I see, and Dragons?”

“I do not know of Dragons like Bahamut, but Wyverns. Even those in human form can live up to a thousand years, unless they gain immortality through fighting and gaining power which from what I remember isn’t far from how Dragons work in your world.”

“That is indeed true. The same rules apply to Dragons back in Tur. They’re born mortal, but with enough fighting and surviving, they grow to the point of reaching Godhood which… not much reach. Heh, even though Bahamut makes it seem like it's an easy trek. Most Dragons never even mature enough to even be titled Great. Most stay as normal Dragons or die off. But the diversity of this world is just insane really, I can’t imagine sharing a planet with so many more powerful people, creatures, creations, and automatrons. We humans are already fragile so it's kinda jarring that we’ve lasted this long in this world. I feel like you’d either live in absolute despair or peace in this world.”

With the piano of the Ball room leaking over to the garden, the Queen faintly smiled and took a sip of her wine. “Your blood My Lord, it's truly sweet.” She then looks back at the city while the General feels an odd tingling sensation. “I think we’re not alone Elizabeth.”

Entering his sight was an old face, its Sir Caine with the human teenager Isabella. Hands and shoulders together with the brightest and earnest smiles he’d seen in his entire life. The couple seemed as if they let the music whilst them away into the garden as they locked eyes and started to dance. He then starts looking around to find a way to escape their sight but Elizabeth just stood there silently drinking her Wine as the General starts to get more and more panicked.

He soon realizes with how the Gazebo is placed, there’s no way for him to slip away unnoticed. “Elizabeth, can you hide me?” the Queen just shrugged and he sighs. Looking around one last time, the man gives up and he slouches as they reach their location.

“Oh crap.”

Hearing the voice, Caine’s eyes widened and immediately looked at the Gazebo on the edge of the rooftop garden.

“I-It’s you!”

“Yes, hello Caine. We meet again, I see you got your happy ending with Isabella over there. How did you even escape? Weren’t you supposed to be in prison?”

He instinctively puts the teenage woman behind him, protecting her from the visibly annoyed man. Paul touches the Queen's shoulder “Mana Drain.” The sudden amount of Mana instantly teleports his armor to him, wearing it in an instant.

“I believe we’ve never fought against one another with me in this form. I believe you are supposed to be in a Supermax prison and not frolicking in a Kingdom far far away.”

With his two longswords, one attached to his hip and another on his back behind his cape, the man picks his new vampiric longsword which was on his hip, the enchanted glass sword shone brightly with its transparent rainbow colors, in contrast to his dark and intimidating armor.

“Tsk. Still angry huh? And where did you get that sword?!”

“To think you never met justice. I shall bring it upon myself then.”

Slowly walking down the Gazebo stairs, Elizabeth’s Royal Velvet Gown and long blonde hair stood out as it was shrouded in darkness in the corner with the bulky Knight steps out.

“Let us find peace shall we?”

Her deep and amorous voice immediately puts a stop to the Knight, stepping aside as she turns around, revealing herself to the pair. The woman lifted her left hand to let her Knight help her to elegantly show her face and crown to the couple.

Caine and Isabella just looked in awe of the divine beauty right in front of them, with her sharp vampiric ears, and sparkling golden eyes, fully devoid of its emerald colors. The woman lifted her hand once again and the two instinctively kneeled in her presence.

“My Knight and Lord. Please lay down your sword.”

Without question, the General sheathes the Vampire King sword that he wielded. But kept his eyes over to the two, watching them with an intense gaze underneath the thick armored visor of his black armor as Elizabeth walked over to them, looking down at the couple with an intense aura.

“Hmmm… interesting. Introduce thyself to me.”

“Count Caine Wall of Manor Nightwatchers, Dreyfus Family and Lady Isabella Wall of the Dreyfus Family. At your service.”

“A Count… and a human woman? Who is she to you? A plaything? A sex slave? A form of entertainment?... or Someone to torture with eternity?”

“No Miss. She is my beloved wife.”

“Interesting indeed, lift your heads for I am Queen Elizabeth Marie Bartley of House Voltaire, creator of House Bartley that now resigns without a leader. Though thou not needeth to know of that now, am I right?”

“Of course your majesty, I’ve only heard stories of your exploits in the Kingdom, of your heroism and divine presence that kneeled the Vampire Clans under one Monarch, one of those who held the ancient primordial blood.”

“Ah, good to know the better stories of myself still linger around these walls. What’s your acquaintance with my better half?”

“B-Better half? General Jackson is your better half?! That angry guy got your love?!”

“Yes. What’s the problem with that?”

“But he explicitly-”

“Okay, shut up dude. I get where you are coming, yeah bring it in. But if I see you again, I swear. I’ll bring you in. Be happy Elizabeth is willing to let you two live. If it was me, I would’ve thrown you back in prison.”

“It’s not like that General but-”

“I know, I ate my own words and shat it out. I also can’t believe it myself but when I defeated Alana and she became my companion, I already knew my time here will be a divine comedy… To think it was right after stopping you too… ugh. Life knows how to make fun of me, sometimes.”

“Uh huh… and how did you defeat the Queen?”

“I just did the killing blow, I was with two other max leveled players. We gave it our all and we barely even managed to do damage to her. My blow was even deathly, but more so one that just put her back to sleep temporarily. The woman is basically truly immortal.”

Isabella on the other hand peeks out from behind the tall vampiric man and looks over to the beautiful Queen in her full glory.

“At least you now know what we felt, Lord Paul.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Freaking Gods, but at the same time… I can’t really complain. I mean, not gonna lie. This is pretty cool and… well. Being human and all. Having Vampires around does help a bit with my problems.”

“My Lord, could this be… what they call a Tsundere act?”

“Shut it Elizabeth. I’m eating my own words right now and I hate it so much. Grrrrrrr…”

With a big and annoying grin, Isabella just rubs it on his face as he returns to his poshed up outfit. Teasing the man as she lifted her gloved hand up her mouth, only leaving her devilish eyes, galling the man.

“Really? Salt upon wounds?”

“My Lord, just what did you do to these two? You just stopped Lord Wall from reaching Schon right?”

“I kinda chased them for like fifty or so kilometers and killed Caine. He WAS imprisoned, but of course. The ineptitude of my leaders has once again made my efforts futile. Hassan must be seething with anger if he found out about this. How did you even escape?”

“Why were you so angry? I escaped because I drank blood from the respawn area. Regaining my powers to max strength. But of course, the guards didn’t know this and I merely used my magic on the low level players to manipulate them. Now, will you explain your side?”

“Well… uhm… I thought I could finally for once do something good with my rank and men. To finally be able to bring true justice, I know that all I’ve done so far is replace one Empire with another on Earth. But I thought if I could bring you in, I would finally be able to at least redeem something with myself.” The General looked visibly dejected, his eyes futile and his back slouched down. “In the end, it's all for nothing. I just hope you can carry with you the souls of those innocent villagers, not be able to sleep at night knowing you killed civilians that had nothing to do with you, regardless of their stance against vampires.”

Elizabeth leans down to meet his eyes and smiles at him. She elegantly touches his chin and lifts it up, turning it to face her. “Be not saddened, My Lord, You’ve done what you could. One can try to be a Hero, but it's not for everyone. You already know this but… for me, you will always be my one and only Lord. Fret not, for a human. You’ve already achieved much more than what your kin usually gets.” she then gently kissed him on the cheek and cutely smiled at him. She then lightly stroked the top of his head, letting the man calm down.

“Yeah, you're right. But I thought I could at least do something truly good for once. I guess in the end, life is still a cruel joke, even here. I just hope I’ll be able to do something that doesn’t involve the motives of people who never know what it's like to be down here.”

Caine and Isabella just held hands at the sight of the two talking earnestly right in front of them, a human man and the almighty Ancient Queen of the vampires. The overwhelmingly long royal red gown of the woman painted over the white nobleman uniform the General wore.

“Be not saddened, My Lord, in my eyes and in Bahamut’s and Alana’s. You can do no wrong, continue to fight and walk the path you desire. We shall be behind you, no matter the circumstance.”

“I know. But sometimes I wonder where this will take us.”

“The beauty of adventure is not knowing the destination, My Lord. You should know this better than anyone.”

“When I travel with Bahamut, I usually already have something in mind. Its whats in the middle that gets in the way. You know it too, Caine. Since your Manor is located near the Medium Level Continent.”

“Ahahaha, I surely do. The problem is not the destination but getting there.”

“Yup. Yeah…” Elizabeth then walks behind him and hugs him from the back. He gulps at her, the woman's beautiful and dreamy presence alone was already too much for the human man, coupled with her so near and her scent overtaking every inch of his smelling. He was left speechless and stood frozen still.

“Oh, Alana also said I should talk to the King. Maybe start a Court for the Neutality thing.”

“Ah, so that’s your doing, General.”

“That is indeed mine. Looks like you’ve heard of it.”

“I was with Isabella when we heard there was humans doing a blood drive in the park. When we arrived, it was already finished.”

“Hah… I’d rather not remember that.”

“My Lord is scared of needles.”

“Pfft… you? I didn’t think it’d be needles that would be your weakness. When you were chasing me, nothing seemed to be able to stop you. I threw every curveball I could and you kept coming.”

“That is pretty much My Lord and I adore him for that. He might be a goofball at times, but when it comes to it. He never fails to impress and deliver.”

“Aw shucks you. I don’t have money.”

“Ahahahaha, your body is more than enough for a payment. My Lord.”

“Can we get back to the Neutrality thing? How does this work? Can I start it?”

“Hm. You can, My Lord. You already have the backing of multiple families. It shouldn't be hard to initiate it now with the people now also supporting you. Lord Wall stating that he has heard of your exploits around the Capital should say enough about the influence you’ve given. For a Vampire Lord to hear something that involves a human. I suggest you go back to the Bal Masque and talk to the King. I recommend also talking to his daughter, that monkey has always longed for a family of his own.”

“A-Alright.”

He slipped out, leaving the ancient Queen with the couple. Elizabeth, seeing that her wine glass is empty, slips back to the gazebo. Stopping at the base of the stairs with her right hand up. Caine sees this and immediately runs to her, helping her to elegantly return to her bottle of wine.

“Hmmm… now this is good wine. The blood of a lover, be it human or vampire never ceases to appease my taste. Now, Lord Wall. I have my own queries about you and the life of you Outworlders.”

“Of course, your majesty. But shouldn’t you be-”

“Worry not about that. Let the Kingdom be. The Vampires have long passed me and my time. I am better remembered as dead than alive. It is also for My Lord's wellbeing. The upheaval that would cause if people were to find out. I wouldn’t want to put such a burden on his already weighed shoulders.”

The tall pale man with his silky smooth black hair walks into the gazebo with Isabella. His red eyes refracted the lights of the city as the two stood at each other's height. Eye to eye. All the while, the General is weaving through the Bal Masque. Encountering Alana with her parents as she kept a grip at Bahamut’s hand who was trying to linger around for something else to eat.

“Oh M’Lord, have you freshened up?”

“Yeah, I’m going to meet the King and get him to agree to a Court on the Neutrality case, I think we’ve done enough now and see all the players here. I think our message has been properly sent.”

“Hm, shall we accompany you?”

“Master! They have the best tasting Carbonara’s I’ve had yet!”

“Bahamut, those came from us. It's an exchange of cultures or whatever term the Government has for this.”

“Ohhhh! But this damned bloodsucker doesn’t want me to eat more!”

“Bahamut… just stay calm for now. I’ll go and maybe get some for you but remember, you aren’t the only one eating those.”

“Boooo…”

He smiles and pats Bahamut’s head and bowed to Alana’s parents. They elegantly returned the bow and he skips off to the front of the massive room, it took the man a few minutes of walking through the partying vampires and players did he finally arrive at the front where there’s a line of people greeting and elegantly bowing to the King, Queen, and Princess.

“Oh come on. The longer I stay here, the more the pressure builds up! Chop chop!”

It took him a good twenty minutes of waiting till he came up. The Royal Family was everso flamboyant and lavish in their full ornate uniforms and gowns to show off their wealth and power to everyone in the Bal Masque. When it was Paul’s turn, the King instantly recognized his face and he stood up to greet the man and shake his hands.

Thousands of miles away in Zavalda, General Ripper smokes his final cigar as he talks on the phone.

“Activate Four-Eight-Eight-One. Confirmation Code, Juliet-Echo-One-Four-Two.”

“Confirm. Sorties will begin shortly sir.”

In the dark of night, players run to their B-52Hs as large bombs are loaded up into their external pylons and inner bomb bays. Generators start up their massive engines and the airbase comes to life in the stark darkness of the night.

Inside the city proper, a bunch of players are smoking strange rocky objects wrapped in paper, some already showing signs of becoming stone are left in a daze as a man in an oversized shirt and pants comes in waving his Glock around.

“YO YO YO! COPS! COPS!”

The man who is so out of his mind gets the remote and presses the Camera’s. The CCTV shows a bunch of heavily armed men in all black with SWAT on their front and back of their IOTV vests.

“Brooo… those look far too badass to be beat cops.”

The lead man on the CCTV footage has an NSGW 6.8 and puts a C2 into the door. With a click of the button they destroy their front door and the overtly over the top equipped SWAT Operators rush in.

“Yoooo… tell the dudes to just surrender. We’re too fucken’ stoned. BWAHAHAHA!”

Thuds are then heard with faint sounds of suppressed guns firing. The stoned Elf then reaches for a Helium tank that has red air and sniffs some of it alongside the stoney blunt he is using, reversing the effects of the curse while making his brown eyes faintly shine gold.

On the first floor, the SWAT officers cleaned room. Not even the succubusses was free from their bullets as they ran towards the second floor, shooting the guy whose hands were already up and into the place where the man was. Sniffing the red air from the Helium tank and then inhaling.

“Alpha, we got confirmation. Placing plastic explosives now. The Trojan is in.”

“Copy, after this. Head off to the Zavalda Police Station as ordered and clean house.”

“Roger that, Alpha out.”

He plants plastic explosives into its side as the man inhales as much of the red air as he could.

“Dude… what is this?”

“Blood of a powerful vampire. Good luck.”

The operator wearing a black balaclava underneath his tinted M50 gas mask pats the man's shoulder as they run down and to their Bearcat. The armored police vehicle storms out of the alleyway and into the busy wet road where only hints of snow is left as the 440 horsepower of the heavy SWAT van weaves through the traffic. Nearly hitting multiple cars and trucks as it barrels down the road without its sirens on.

Turning right, the armored van goes into an alleyway. Hitting trash cans and running over hobos and dumpsters. The people walking by lean over to the noisy alleyway as a bloodied and dirtied armored vehicle nearly decapitates them as it drifts into the street where the Police Station is at. Far away, Officers could hear the commotion. Looking over just for the SWAT BearCat to ram into the parked Crown Victoria’s and Ladas. Using the gun ports, machine gun fire rattles the front of the police station.

Opening the back door, the heavily armed and armored SWAT officers in combat gear kill the dazed officers surrounding their BearCat as they tactically move to the front door. Behind the Police Station, another squad of people. This time in all black ACUs and with no SWAT logos comes in from the rear lot. Shooting up the entire place, the lightly armed officers were useless against the fully equipped Commando’s using latest generation weaponry and equipment. Even the ones with magic were unable to do much as the rainbowish glare of the muzzle flash made the bullets go through whatever shield they had put up.

Without mercy, they throw frag grenades inside the tight hallways of the police station as Fire and Ambulance head over to a massive explosion in the middle of downtown. Overhead, the noise of the ear blistering engines of the B-52s are heard as the massive formation of strategic bombers take flight to their destinations.

All the while alarms are blaring underneath Woodstock as the main command center detects multiple takeoffs with everyone not knowing what is happening as panic comes in from all sides with ringing of the phones from all known Guilds wielding modern weapons having questions and queries. Soon after, all Guild Leaders are called to the UN building for an emergency session. There’s no celebrations as the players used even True Magic to teleport instantly to the meeting while others had to use whatever means they had from Griffins, Pegasuses, to Wyverns to be able to arrive just in time.

“CALL FOR MARTIAL LAW! THE ENTIRE CITY NOW!”

“THIS IS A REVOLT! THOSE BOMBERS ARE CARRYING MANA NUKES!”

“WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?!”

“I REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE INCREASE IN FUNDING! I NEED MORE JETS TO SHOOT DOWN THOSE BOMBERS!”

“THIS IS A COORDINATED ATTACK AGAINST US! I TOLD YOU THE PEOPLE AREN’T AS STUPID AS WE THINK! THIS WHOLE WAR TO UNITE US IDEAL IS FUCKED!”

“WE HAVE TO STOP THOSE BOMBERS BEFORE THEY DROP THEIR PAYLOADS!”

The rowdy conference room is immediately silenced by a Knight on the podium. The shockwave emitted from his sword gives peace to the room as the shocked players in suits stand down and the General Secretary takes the helm.

“An immediate Martial Law will be declared then. I’m requesting the nearest Guilds to Zavalda to respond with their units and quell the potential revolt. So, we’ll start with the Guilds from the Western Server.”

Inside the police station, on a bloodied TV as Commandos rush out carrying documents. EAS alarms are transmitted and the remaining News stations broadcast the deployment of multiple BCTs and Army groups to the city and citizens are to be at home by 6 o'clock at night. All hell breaks loose on all nearby army bases as they scramble their units to move while high above the skies, Mig-35s, Su-35s, F-16s, Mirages, Dragons, Winged Players, Witches and Wizards with their own flying machinations intercept the B-52s. Shooting them down as quickly as they could.

All the while, Politicians scramble to find the recall code for the bombers to return to base. They soon find it and broadcasted the codes, prompting the bombers that could only be reached by True Dragons with how far up the skies they were already flying to return to base.

“This is General Ilam Vladimirovich to Woodstock, we have a problem. The call is too late! Some of the bombers are outside of our reach now, requesting any possible back ups!”

“Nein! We have nothing to send! We’ve moved everything to Schon!”

“Copy, everyone calm down. I’ll see if I can scrounge up at least one more jet.”

The remaining B-52s and their crew happily sang along to old classic rock songs as their planes soared high above the clouds. The Cornelian birds fly right next to them as the navigator confirms that they are heading straight to the capital of Vitas.

An ominous sound is then heard, as if a low roar echoed through the valleys below them and the Co-Pilot looks down from his side and could see a giant black dragon the size of a mountain. Even though their Altimeter shows their 35,000 feet. The massive creature’s wings stood out as it started flapping from the valleys. He couldn’t believe his eyes at the magnanimous size of the creature as he could see the complete outline of the mountain ranges and the sole moving thing with its gleaming black horns evidently staring down on them.

“Uhhhh… HENRY!”

“WHAT? WHAT?”

The Pilot looks at the radar and it senses a gigantic blip below them, engulfing their own signature as he pushes the throttle to max. The Cornelian birds with its sleek bodies like a supersonic passenger plane turns away from them, heading back to the seas as below them, the Black Dragon’s full spread wings becomes bigger and bigger and the lone strategic bomber heads off to its location.

“Everyone. Check Seat Belts!”

With a thumbs up from everyone, the Pilot looks at the radar and the blip becomes larger and larger.

“On my mark Travis. We’ll dive, dive straight down and after reaching two-zero-zero. We’ll pull up. Got me?”

“Rog.”

“Alright.”

Passing through a cloud formation, the plane rattles violently as roars of thunder come from everywhere around them and next to the Pilot’s window is a faint yellow light inside the clouds. “What in the hell?” Coming out of the clouds, the entire aircrew is blasted by the giant eyes of Bahamut looking right at them, its massive head turned to look at the flying plane.

“DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!”

They quickly dive the plane but Bahamut just follows suit, as if to play with the small aircraft that’s not even ⅓ the size of her wings. The Pilots brazenly put the airframe to its max as the plane violently rattled from the sudden maneuver and soon after, they were already leveled once again and the entire crew looking out for where the black dragon might be.

“What the fuck men! That’s Bahamut! That’s freaking Bahamut!”

“The flight plan didn’t say anything about that, oh fuck!”

Bahamut dived late and hovered right in front of them with the plane violently hitting her armored scales and the plane’s wreckage sent tumbling down the skies.

Back in Woodstock, the Guild Leaders are in a mess as they rush to control the situation as Zavalda’s status goes dark for a while.

“You know, this is pretty genius of them.”

“What?”

“They managed to destroy all of our preemptive strike capabilities. We have nothing now to fend off the Demon Hordes and to slow them down… I also wonder… Why did they strike the Police Station? I think we have to send Internal Police to check that out.”

“Who cares, it's already up and running. All we have to do now is just find a way to make sure it actually returns us to our world or that we won’t be opening a gate to Hell of sorts situation.”

“Either way, we got played. Are you sure we can trust that thing?”

“It is, it's only thing missing now is the confirmation.”

“Good, at least we can be rest assured that we’ve already completed our mission. But with this, we’ve completely lost our biggest chess piece on the table.”

“Our Mana Nuclear Arsenal.”

“Yup, put your eggs in one basket they say. Should’ve sacked Ripper when I could. But that man's influence in the arms industry will be a bitch to fix.”

“Too late now, better just look into the future and see what can be done now. If we can, sack everyone and replace the entire arms industry. Maybe then, we might fully avoid an entire meltdown of the situation.”

“The players though, this humiliation. We’ll look like fools, look at those Guild Leaders, all trying to find someone to point their finger at or an excuse to this tomfoolery.”

“Sad, I hope the war excuse is enough to unite us strong enough till our return home. Guess now, it's this.”

“Don’t worry about that, it’s easy to start wars. Justifying it is the hard part. Let’s go. I’m sure your people at Eldwood wants to know something.”

“I do, the Men of the Woods has always been a good ally to us. Good to know you aren’t like these children in suits.”

“That much I can agree too.”

With all hell breaking loose, the military is deployed to the city. Huge convoys of army trucks carrying lowboys with tanks on top of them fill the highways and IFVs and APCs clog up the city roads as national parks are turned into makeshift refuel and rearming points for helicopters and vehicles. Soon after, checkpoints are set up as main battle tanks roll through the city streets. Marking the asphalt with their threads, the rumbling of the turbine engines rattling the windows of the shops and apartment blocks.

There’s no escape as a stand off occurs at Shadilay Air Force Base and a huge line and column of armored vehicles await at its entrance with the Airbases M1 Abrams facing them back. A Colonel walks out from the garden of the Airbase to the opposing side with a player wearing the hue of uniform as he does.

“Colonel Backster, surrender now. You are under suspicion of starting a rebellion.”

“I apologize Colonel Reisner. I do not approve, we are suspicious of our higher command.”

“Are you suggesting our commanders are traitors, Colonel? Are you out of your mind?”

“For the last five months, we’ve received nothing but egregious orders and sometimes, they outright go against each other, it feels like the Higher Ops has a Bipolar disorder. We cannot and will no longer take this.”

“Colonel, lay down your arms. We have a massive combination of arms here and we aren’t afraid to go down fighting each other if we have too.”

Behind the Colonel on the street are columns of trucks and tanks. Ranging from all nations on Earth as the city’s skyline darbs the horizon with helicopters buzzing along the towers and skyscrapers that dots the skies.

A shot is then heard and the player tumbles down to his knees and dies. Colonel Reisner is dead on site as the M1 Abrams fires its main gun into the opposing side. A firefight then occurs and inside the city, the daily life of the players inside it are disturbed by horrific sounds of cannons and nonstop intense gunfire as the Sun sets into the ocean.

“House of Lords! I call to you all in this festival to come to me! Heed my call and let us decide upon a date to when the Court shall be called and the meeting that will decide our position with the Outworlders!”

King Harold lifts up his ornate chalice and the Vampire Lords appear right in front of him. Kneeling down with their expensive suits and gowns, in total respect to him and the Queen as Paul stood in the middle, his eyes locked to the King.

“Let us decide then as almost all of the families are present!”