Stephen sat beneath a bridge, his clothes drenched in blood. His fingernails had transformed into razor-sharp claws, and his crimson eyes glowed ominously in the darkness.
"X-Xylon... where are you?" he whispered weakly.
He no longer understood what was happening to him.
Have I become a monster...?
Why is this happening to me?
His eyes widened in shock as the metal objects scattered around him suddenly began to levitate into the air.
"P-Please... stop..." he pleaded, clutching his head in agony.
.
.
....
At the mansion...
"So... you're the Nobles?" Xylon asked as he looked around the room.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lilith answered with a smile.
"Xylon, we have to return to Aznar as soon as possible," Xenon said. "The Mirce Lorde is ruling the kingdom now."
"M-Mirce... what?" Xylon blinked in confusion. "Hold on. I don't understand any of this."
"I think it's best if Lucas restores your memories first," Yvess suggested. "Everything will make sense afterward."
Lucas nodded before turning toward Xylon. "Your Majesty, allow me to restore your memories. Once they're returned, you'll understand everything."
Xylon looked at him curiously. "And... how exactly are you going to do that?"
.
Everyone gathered inside one of the mansion's rooms.
Lucas drew a large magic circle across the floor.
"Please lie down here, Your Majesty," he instructed.
Xylon obediently lay at the center of the circle.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" he asked.
"Yes," Lucas replied calmly. "It'll just hurt... a little."
Xylon immediately sat upright. "...It'll hurt?"
Lucas sighed and gently pushed him back down. "Just relax and concentrate."
He began chanting an ancient incantation.
The magic circle burst into a brilliant glow.
Xylon instinctively shut his eyes.
.
Meanwhile...
Heberlin slowly opened his eyes.
Beside him, Zander was still asleep.
"Hey... wake up, bro," he tapped him.
Zander groaned before opening his eyes.
"Where are we?" he asked.
Heberlin looked around the room. "This place feels familiar... I think we're inside the Serolf Mansion."
At last...
Their memories had returned.
"Oh, you're finally awake," Zake said as he appeared in the doorway.
"Zake... what happened?" Zander asked.
Zake walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "We lost our memories."
"What?" Heberlin exclaimed. "How?"
"The Mirce Lorde did this to us," Zake explained. "He sent us into the human world and erased all of our memories."
Zander suddenly froze. "I remember now... That flash of light during the banquet... He's the one who caused it... isn't he?"
"That's right," Zake confirmed.
"Where's Xylon?" Heberlin asked.
"He's here too. He just arrived. Like us, he also lost his memories. Lucas is restoring them right now," Zake replied.
"Then let's go see him," Zander said as he stood.
.
.
.....
Back in Aznar...
"Are these enough, Brother Akuma?" Lycan asked, placing an armful of firewood on the ground.
"That's more than enough. Thanks, Lycan," Akuma replied.
Taking a step back, Akuma ignited a small flame in the palm of his hand before gently sending it onto the pile of wood.
The campfire instantly came to life.
"That's awesome!" Lycan exclaimed. "You can create fire?"
"Only vampire nobles and royalty are blessed with extraordinary powers," Akuma answered with a smile.
"We're getting dinner ready," Viel added.
Lycan glanced around. "...Where's Ira?"
The question immediately caught Xerxes' attention.
"I'll go look for him," Lycan said before hurrying off.
Mist and Xerxes exchanged silent glances.
.
.
Ira suddenly felt his strength draining away.
Not again...
It's trying to break free...
"N-No..."
"I won't let you come out again," he muttered.
Taking a deep breath, he drew a dagger from his belt.
Without hesitation...
He drove the blade into his own arm.
"Ahhh..."
He gritted his teeth against the pain.
Moments later, the strange sensation faded.
"Ira?"
He turned around.
Lycan stood behind him, staring in horror.
"Why are you hurting yourself?" Lycan asked.
Ira quickly forced a smile. "It's nothing. I was just testing whether I'd be able to endure pain once we start fighting the Querons."
Lycan let out an exasperated sigh. "What are you thinking? I'd never let them hurt you. I'll protect you."
A gentle smile appeared on Ira's face. "...Thank you."
.
.
.....
Inside the Palace...
"Has the Mirce Lorde contacted you yet, Arkanus?" Sheen asked lazily while lying across a large sofa. "I'm getting bored."
"Not yet," Arkanus replied. "He said he'll come to see me himself."
"Where is the Mirce Lorde now?" Tresvain asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps he's planning something... and wants to act alone," Arkanus said.
Sheen suddenly sat up. "I'm bored. Let's head to Alfheim and cause a little chaos."
Alfheim is a small village hidden deep within the mountains near the Sixth District. Most of Aznar's towns and villages have already been attacked and ruined.
They also attacked the other lands near the kingdom where other races had settled, like the werewolf packs and witches.
"Sounds like fun," Hades grinned.
"What about you, Arkanus?" Tresvain asked. "Coming with us?"
"You go ahead," Arkanus said.
Without another word, Arkanus walked away.
"He's always so mysterious," Sheen muttered.
The others stood up, excitement written across their faces.
They eagerly set off for Alfheim.
.
.
Panic spread throughout Alfheim the moment Sheen and the others arrived.
"Perfect," Sheen grinned. "I finally get to use this again."
He raised his right arm.
Black energy gathered beneath his skin before countless tiny black insects burst forth.
With a wave of his hand, he unleashed the swarm upon the terrified citizens.
"I'll go next," Tresvain said.
He stretched out his hand toward the fleeing inhabitants. "I'll be well fed today."
Dark energy spiraled from his palm as he began devouring their souls.
Tresvain was a Soul-Eating Vampire.
He descended from the bloodlines of both vampires and soul eaters, just like Rebeus and Zander."
The souls of humans and other creatures were his source of nourishment and the origin of his immense power.
"Move aside, Tresvain," Spring warned. "You'll get caught in this."
He stepped into the center of the battlefield and focused his power.
A colossal tornado erupted from the ground, hurling everyone into the air.
At the same time, Hades stomped his foot onto the ground.
The impact shattered the ground itself, causing the foundations beneath Alfheim's homes to collapse.
"They really never get tired of causing trouble," Owen sighed as he watched from the sidelines.
His power wasn't suited for destruction.
All he could do was create portals.
.
.
.....
Arkanus removed his clothes and mask before lowering himself into a bathtub filled with blood.
The crimson liquid soaked his body and stained his silver hair.
Even now...
The Mirce Lorde had never told him who he truly was.
He had awakened in this world with no memories of his past or his true identity.
Leaning back against the tub, he slowly closed his eyes.
What are you planning now... Mirce Lorde?
.
.
.....
Aria seized the opportunity while the Dark Knights were away.
Silently, she slipped out of the room and carefully searched for an escape route.
She quickly hid as a guard passed by.
Then her eyes landed on the wall.
"If I remember correctly... There should be a hidden passage here."
She placed her hand against the stone wall and closed her eyes, carefully feeling its surface.
When her fingers brushed against a painting...
A section of the wall suddenly slid open.
Without hesitation, Aria slipped inside the secret passage.
.
.
.....
Xylon slowly opened his eyes.
As his vision cleared, he saw Xenon and the others standing around him.
"W-What happened?" he asked in confusion.
The group simply smiled.
Their king...
Had finally awakened.