It was less than twelve hours before news of Cassiel returning as king had spread across the entire continent.
The next day, after his return, would showcase the result of the news spreading so fast.
Outside of the castle, as the sun began to rise and braziers would set off, thousands of vampires crowded the streets, forming a huge cluster of men, women, and even children, as they all waited patiently, hoping to get even a glimpse of their returned king.
Cassiel, however, had different plans.
.....
Launching up from a nightmare in the midst of night, cold sweats ran down Cassiel's face as he panted deeply.
Ever since his excursion at Bagnion two years ago, Cassiel has had countless sleep deprived nights from nightmares reliving the sight of Albus' death.
Although they had stopped coming around as much by now, when they did, they were just as bad as the rest of the times.
Slowly dragging himself out of bed, now unable to sleep, Cassiel leans on his window sill, staring out into the night sky for a while.
.....
After minutes pass, Cassiel lets out a deep sigh, looking down at his hands before he turns to sit on the ground in a meditative position.
Sitting deep in concentration, Cassiel begins clearing his thoughts one by one, focusing on the mana flowing within him.
The seclusion training he underwent had greatly improved his circulation, along with his overall power, as he was able to completely consume the blood he took from Falvi and Barakiel.
Falvi's mana blood left a deep impact on Cassiel, as it improved his physical prowess by a large margin.
Barakiel's blood, which Cassiel consumed after biting into him, granted Cassiel the ability to use up to sixth tier spells without so much as a word.
Despite the enormous amount of power Cassiel had gained, to him, it still wasn't enough.
At this point in time, Cassiel is now just slightly stronger than he was before he was held captive in Abdiel Crypt.
This, of course, could not stand.
Rael Hael, the man who undisputedly runs Seraphim in the eyes of all vampires, was strong enough to take him, his father, and his older brother all on at once just over a hundred years ago.
Unlike most humans, Rael didn't grow weaker in his old age.
Even during his last encounter, he, along with Albus, were both swatted away like bugs.
To take Rael on, he'd need to be at least five fold his current strength.
And thus, Cassiel meditated until daybreak, where his mind grew clouded due to the impetuous chatter outside the castle.
.....
.....
Stopping just shy of the castle entrance, Cassiel takes a deep breath.
His dark iron armor gleamed under the castle lights. The long, thick black cape he just recently acquired gave him a much bulkier look as the white fur lining on the nape cut out against the black materials, giving more emphasis to his long white hair that draped alongside his black cape like a painting.
Opening his eyes, he stared at the door, thinking to himself if it was truly right for him to return, only to instantly shut the thoughts down as the awaiting chatter outside roared like the waves in an ocean.
Walking through the doors with confidence, Cassiel gazed upon his subjects that crowded the streets as they instantly fell silent.
His face was solemn, yet his heart beat like never before.
Giving himself a second with a long blink, Cassiel finally locks himself in.
"For too long you have all been left by Cain, my father, to cower under the shadows of Seraphim!" Cassiel yells out, starting his speech.
"However, no longer shall that suffice. We vampires were born strong for a great reason..." Cassiel continues, pausing for a moment to collect his thoughts.
"And it seems most of you were raised with the thought that the so-called great reason was for dominating, conquering, and killing."
Instantly, it's clear the men and women grow confused.
"That is not the reason we were born with this great power." Cassiel states, his cold voice echoing through the city.
The vampires grow weary as voices whisper across the crowds.
Noticing this, Cassiel sighs.
"SILENCE!" Cassiel demands, his voice ringing out, disrupting the crowd.
"It is clear that you have all been brought up under certain beliefs, and for that I do not blame you." Cassiel starts again, choosing his words carefully.
"Yet, your beliefs of humans being our enemy is not entirely correct." Cassiel states, gazing down into the crowd of vampires as they grow confused.
"Our enemies are those who rule over the humans, not the human race as a whole."
Voices go silent as the vampire's opinions of Cassiel slowly shift.
"It seems most of you do not understand what it is I am trying to get at just yet, so let me make it clear."
"Seraphim will not be conquered. It will be purged of the filth that runs it."
.....
.....
A couple hours had passed since Cassiel gave his speech.
The drawbacks of said speech were noticeable almost immediately.
Vampires were split almost in half.
Most of those whom weren't trained in combat, whom cowered in fear of Seraphim's invasion, weren't in agreement with Cassiel's views.
However, most of those whom were trained, whom fought under Cassiel or under the other royals, were supportive of Cassiel, as they knew their king's views weren't to be clouded by uneven judgement.
Cassiel, despite the clear drawbacks, cared not what the side against him thought, as he knew they would soon come into understanding with his statement.
.....
Now having the rest of the day cleared out and free, Cassiel sought out both Kislev and Elysia, who were nowhere to be found during the gathering that morning.
After finding Daein, Cassiel learned of what they had both used most of the free time for, to which he instantly set out to find Kislev first.
.....
Walking the streets of Kotor, it wasn't long before Cassiel would make it to the Sanguine Blade's barracks, which had recently been "upgraded", so to speak.
Knocking on the door, Cassiel waited patiently for a moment before the door would open, revealing Esk who looked as though he had just woken up.
"M-My king?" Esk jolts, waking up completely in a flash as he'd open the door in a hurry.
"May I ask what brings you here? And forgive me for not coming sooner, but I congratulate you for your return, my king."
Walking inside, Cassiel quickly finds himself a seat as he looks at Esk.
"Your name was Esk, correct?"
"O-Oh... I suppose we hadn't talked much before, well, everything, but yes."
"Well, Esk, first, I want to make it clear to you, you're a part of the Sanguine Blade troupe, call me Cassiel." He states as the edges of his mouth carve a faint smile.
"I-I'm not sure if I-"
"Second, I don't believe it's very warrior-like for someone of your status to be waking up at this time, now is it?" Cassiel mocks in a joking manner, catching Esk off guard.
"I-I um..."
"I only jest." Cassiel states, looking around the entrance room.
"It appears the barracks has been improved greatly, could you explain the cause?"
"Ah, yes. Daein had the barracks improved just last year after the achievements we made during the great cleansing-"
"That's what it's been titled as?" Cassiel cuts in.
"Yes... Cassiel." Esk states firmly.
"I see... and do you know the whereabouts of Kislev perchance?" Cassiel asks, following up with another question.
"Right through this door, travel to the end of the hall." Esk answers, pointing to said door.
"It is much appreciated. While I head down this way, could you gather the rest of the Sanguine Blades for me?"
"Of course, Cassiel, right away."
.....
Walking down the hall, several loud thuds are heard the further he goes.
Stopping in front of the door, Cassiel waits a moment before hearing another thud, to then finally open the door to see both Kislev and Mihr struggling in a fight against one another.
Watching them fight, it's clear that Kislev has a slight upper hand against Mihr, yet still the fight was as close as ever.
It was obvious the two had grown a lot over the years he had been gone, and it gave Cassiel a glimmer of hope as he continued to watch as Kislev would finally get Mihr to the ground, ending their spar.
Leaning against the door frame as he claps slowly, both Kislev and Mihr are caught off guard by his presence as their head's jolt to his direction.
"Cassiel!" Kislev yells out, overjoyed to see his friend again after only getting a few minutes with him yesterday.
"Kislev, would you mind coming with me? I have something I need for both you and Elysia." Cassiel asks, his tone serious.
"Of course, anything for you."
.....
After leaving the barracks, Cassiel followed Kislev as he would lead him to where Elysia spends most of her time, the shadow dagger company.