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Chapter 59: The Approach to the Vampire Kingdom
As Asher finished preparing himself, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the task ahead. His assassin stealth suit clung to him like a second skin, designed for maximum agility. The suit itself was black, with sleek, dark patterns that shimmered faintly under the moonlight. Glowing green stripes ran along the edges, from his shoulders down to his arms, legs, and across his chest, forming an intricate design of circuit-like pathways. These glowing patterns weren't just for show—they were embedded with magic-enhanced technology that heightened his senses, providing him with an edge in both stealth and combat.
His face was obscured by a specialized mask that covered his nose and mouth. The mask was lightweight but durable, made of a material that filtered the air and provided protection against toxins and dust. His eyes, now hidden behind the mask, glowed faintly green, giving him an eerie, yet powerful presence. The assassin was now ready, a perfect blend of magic and technology—a weapon in its purest form.
He focused on his next move. With a deep breath, Asher formed a diamond chain from the ground beneath him, watching the crystals manifest from the earth, sharp and flawless. He manipulated them into intricate shapes, rolling the chain around his waist, securing it in place. It was an additional layer of defense—though it was primarily for show, the chain could be quickly transformed into sharp, dangerous spikes if needed.
With the preparation complete, Asher moved into action. His body flowed like water as he darted from tree to tree, leaping gracefully between the branches, using his enhanced agility to cover vast distances with minimal sound. The vampire kingdom was not far, but the journey was treacherous. It was nighttime, and the forest was thick, the shadows heavy. Asher kept his focus, knowing that the vampires could sense even the slightest movement in the night. He had to be careful.
As he moved swiftly through the dense foliage, Asher spotted something unusual—an unsettling sight. A group of vampires was escorting slaves through the woods. The procession was large, and the captives were shackled together in a tight, forced line. They were a miserable sight: humans, dwarves, and demi-beasts, all chained and huddled together in fear, their eyes dull with despair. They were being dragged toward the vampire city, their fate uncertain.
Asher's heart burned with a quiet fury, but he didn't act on it yet. Instead, he chose to follow them. He moved silently through the trees, sticking to the shadows, keeping a safe distance. His keen eyes scanned the scene as he observed the vampires' movements, calculating the best time to strike.
The vampires were careless, thinking no one was watching them, unaware of Asher's presence. Their guards were distracted, more focused on the slaves than anything else. But then, as Asher prepared to make his move, he miscalculated his jump. His foot brushed against a branch, and the snap echoed through the air, loud enough to alert the vampires.
The reaction was immediate. One of the vampires, with pointed ears and a savage look, whipped around, his eyes narrowing. "Someone's here!" he hissed, his voice sharp. With a sudden surge of power, he launched himself toward the tree where Asher was perched, his claws outstretched, ready to strike.
But Asher didn't have time to react—just as the vampire lunged at him, a powerful force intercepted the attack.
Out of nowhere, a figure materialized, crashing into the vampire with the strength of a rino. The vampire recoiled in shock as the man—massive, with a muscular frame and broad shoulders—grabbed the vampire by the throat and slammed him into the ground. The vampire's claws scraped against the earth, but the beast's grip was like iron.
Asher's eyes widened in disbelief. Not only had this figure appeared out of nowhere, but the strength he displayed was unmatched by any vampire Asher had seen. This wasn't just any ordinary fighter. This was someone—something—different.
The figure stood up, and Asher could see clearly now: it was varek one of his clones, but his physic looked different. Much larger, more powerful, and with an air of authority that Asher hadn't seen before. His clone was built like a tank, every muscle honed for combat. His skin was covered in hair, more rugged, his presence commanding. It was as if the clone had been forged specifically to be a gorilla tank.
"LET THEM GO, YOU VAMPIRE SCUM," the clone bellowed in a voice that reverberated through the trees. "OR YOU WILL FACE YOUR END."
Asher felt a shiver run down his spine, but the clone's words weren't just an announcement of power. They were a command. And it was clear that the vampires had underestimated the power of these demi-humans.
Before the vampires could react, the clone's comrades emerged from the shadows. First came a cheetah-woman, with sleek fur and glowing green eyes. She moved with blinding speed, her agility unmatched as she dodged the vampire attacks effortlessly. Next, a human girl with a scorpion tail appeared, her eyes cold and calculating. She swung her tail, striking down any vampires who dared approach her, and her movements were precise—deadly.
Lastly, a massive, hulking figure stepped out—another demi beast, covered in thick fur, his body resembling a mixture of a wolf and a bear. His sheer size was intimidating, and he swung his massive fists with devastating force, knocking vampires out of his way as if they were mere insects. He was a force of nature, unstoppable and unrelenting.
The vampires, who had once thought themselves untouchable, now found themselves struggling to keep up with this unexpected resistance. The demi-humans—Varek—fought with an intensity and precision that made the vampires seem clumsy in comparison. Their movements were calculated, each strike landing with deadly accuracy, each dodge executed with a perfect blend of speed and timing.
Asher watched in awe as his clone, the gorilla-like figure, continued to lead the charge, barking orders to the others. The vampires, now on the defensive, began to falter, their ranks thinning as they were overpowered.
"YOU VAMPIRES ARE WEAK," the Varek growled. "NOW FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR OPPRESSION!"
As the battle raged on, Asher took a step back, his heart pounding. He had never expected to encounter another version of himself, let alone varek one that was so powerful. But he couldn't afford to waste time on surprises. The slaves needed to be freed, and this was his chance to make his move.
As the vampires continued to lose ground, Asher prepared to strike. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, the urge to intervene growing stronger. But then, something stopped him. His clone, the beast-like figure, turned to him, his eyes meeting Asher's. For a moment, there was a silent understanding between them.
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Asher crouched on the thick branch of the old cedar tree, his glowing green stripes flickering slightly as the wind brushed past. His mask filtered in every breath, but something heavy was in the air. As the demi-humans battled below—his clones unleashing raw animal instinct and devastating elemental force—he felt something new. Something watching.
His eyes narrowed.
It wasn't a vampire.
It wasn't human.
He turned—slowly, cautiously—only to meet the piercing gaze of a creature that radiated primal authority. Standing upright on a branch several meters away was a massive figure. Its frame was overwhelmingly muscular, its fur striped in silver and black, rippling over its humanoid chest and arms. The beast's tail curled behind it like a whip, and its fangs were slightly bared in a snarl. It was shaped like a man—but it was unmistakably a Demi Tiger.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE LOOKING AT, HUMAN?" the tiger-beast growled, its eyes burning gold in the moonlight. "ARE YOU WITH THE VAMPIRES?"
The voice wasn't just loud—it shook the bark of the tree beneath Asher's feet. Even through the mask, he felt the weight of the beast's presence press down on him like a storm.
Asher didn't flinch. His hands stayed by his sides, his stance steady as he replied, "No. I'm against them. I came here to find and destroy them."
The tiger snorted, stepping forward with a low rumble vibrating in its throat. "THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT A SPY VAMPIRE WOULD SAY."
Asher's eyes widened a fraction of a second before the beast launched forward.
The tiger-beast moved like lightning, claws outstretched. Its body was a blur of muscle and fur. Asher leapt backward instinctively, drawing the diamond chain from his waist and swinging it out in defense. The chain sparked as it clashed with the beast's claws, the resulting explosion of energy lighting up the dark forest like fireworks and diamond crystals.
Glittering fragments of pure diamond scattered through the air, glowing in the night. The slash had not just torn through his chain—it had cut through the very ground, carving a glowing scar in the earth beneath.
Asher landed on another tree, skidding to a stop as the beast charged again. But he didn't fight back.
"I'm not your enemy," he called out, raising his hands. "I don't want to fight you."
"LIES!" the tiger roared, launching another attack. The force of the blow shattered branches and sent shockwaves through the forest. "I'VE SEEN TOO MANY HUMANS SAY THE SAME."
Asher barely dodged, flipping mid-air and landing in a crouch. His ears rang from the roar, but he still refused to attack. He didn't want to fight someone who might be an ally. He could sense it—this tiger beast wasn't evil. Just guarded. But the raw power in his attacks made it hard to keep defending.
Suddenly, the beast let out a deafening roar.
"DIE WITH YOUR LIES!"
The sound shook the trees. Birds fled the canopy in swarms but exploded instantly. Even the demi-humans below paused for a moment.
Asher staggered, his hands clutching at the sides of his head. The sound was so powerful it made his mask crack along the edge. Blood ran from his ears.
The beast saw its opening.
With a growl, it leapt into the air, claws extended, fangs bared in a final strike.
Asher couldn't move. The roar had left him stunned—kneeling, vulnerable, one hand pressed to the bleeding side of his face.
The claws were inches away.
And then—BOOM!
A sudden force collided with the tiger mid-air, sending it crashing to the ground several meters away. The ground quaked beneath the impact.
A figure stood between Asher and the tiger, his broad back like a wall.
It was Varek.
One of Asher's most formidable clones. His skin shimmered with beast energy, and his arms were thick with raw power, veins glowing faintly under the moonlight. His eyes gleamed with green fire as he looked down at the tiger-beast.
"You'll stand down," Varek said, voice steady but full of warning. "He's not your enemy. That man you tried to strike down—he's Asher."
The tiger-beast growled low in its throat, slowly rising to its feet. Its gaze shifted between Varek and Asher, and the golden fire in its eyes slowly dimmed.
"YOU... YOU'RE TELLING THE TRUTH?"
Asher struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from his chin as he nodded. "Yes. And I am here to defend, not destroy."
The tiger-beast growled again, but this time the sound was less hostile. Its muscles loosened, claws retracting slightly. It stood fully upright once more, eyes narrowed in thought.
"If what's you are saying is true..... then you have our respect. but know this_we do not trust easily".
"I don't expect you to," Asher replied, adjusting his cracked mask. "But I'm here to break the vampires' grip over this land. If we're fighting the same war, then we should stop wasting time trying to kill each other."
There was silence for a moment.
Then, the tiger nodded once.
"Fine but we are not in war with the vampires we don't like to find trouble like you humans".
"Fair enough," Asher replied.
Varek turned toward Asher with a small smirk. "You always find a way to make friends, don't you?"
Asher gave a dry laugh. "Wouldn't call that making friends, exactly."
Varek helped him down from the tree, and the two joined the others at the edge of the now-burning battlefield. The slaves were being freed, the vampires either retreating or lying unconscious.
The cheetah-Woman looked up, eyes gleaming. "The scouts say more vampires are coming from the west. What's the plan?"
Asher took a deep breath, wiping the blood from his ear and watching the now-tolerant tiger-beast walked forward to join the others.
"We leave imidiately before they catch up to us ".The Tiger responded
Varek cracked his knuckles, fire in his eyes. "I wish I could have had more fun."
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