When Kai Adler appeared again, he was standing in front of a secluded manor.
The morning sun over Cairo was bright and scorching, but the grand manor ahead of him remained tightly sealed. The curtains were perfectly drawn, every window darkened.
The reason was simple—the residents of this estate were Vampires, creatures who could not endure sunlight.
As beings who had lived countless years, these Vampires had properties scattered across the globe. This particular estate served as their Cairo stronghold.
It was also the meeting point that Selene had agreed upon with him.
Last night, after killing Endor in Alexandria and returning to his lodging, the Vampires had explained their reasons for being in Egypt and their desire to eliminate Dio.
Originally, Kai hadn't cared about their mission in the slightest. Whether that lunatic named Dio lived or died had nothing to do with him. His only goal was to track down the Eber Family through them, to engage in a more… direct conversation and uncover what role they and the Werewolves had played in the chaos that unfolded in Berlin.
Last night, he'd even intentionally leered at Selene, using Oka's face to plant seeds of doubt among the Vampires regarding their allies, the Eber Family. His plan had been to quietly stir tensions, pit both sides against each other, and follow the unraveling threads straight to the Eber's doorstep.
But the sudden riot of Prophecy Power had completely derailed his plans. The energy in his body spiraled out of control, and the window for subtle manipulation vanished.
His most pressing issue now was the rampant instability inside him. Three forces ran wild in his system, tearing at each other like caged beasts. If he could gain full control over even one of them, the hidden threat within his body would ease.
But therein lay the problem—whether it was the Prophecy Power, Grindelwald's unclaimed Black Magic, or the Obscurus, none were forces that could be tamed in a short span.
Which meant he needed external power.
The only good news: the overflow of Prophecy Power had shown him a glimpse—a possible path. And conveniently, that path was tied to this Vampire named Dio.
The bad news? He'd glimpsed Dio's abilities within Endor's fragmented memories—and they were nothing short of terrifying. Even at his peak, Dio's power would've been difficult to face head-on.
Now, with his Black Magic fluctuating like an unstable heartbeat, it was even worse.
When the three forces aligned, he was at his peak—combining his own magic, Grindelwald's fragments, the Prophecy Seed, and the Obscurus, he could probably go toe-to-toe with either the Old Man or even Old Deng.
But in an unstable state? He could barely cast a Lumos spell properly.
Which is why he came here.
Because he needed pawns.
His appearance gradually shifted, his frame stretching, his features distorting—until Kai once again became Oka.
Taking a step forward, he was instantly engulfed in pitch-black darkness, unable to see his hand in front of his face.
The next second, mechanical clicks echoed around him as several cold gun barrels pressed to his temple.
He raised his head calmly.
"Your welcome party's really lacking originality."
Selene stood nearby. Even after clearly seeing his face, she kept her pistol aimed steadily at his head.
"Mr. Oka," she drawled, "you certainly got here quickly~"
"What? Don't want your hand anymore?"
Kai's head tilted slightly, revealing his mismatched eyes—one ice blue, one jet black—like twin reflections of frost and oblivion.
Selene visibly flinched.
Gone was the playful lechery from his eyes. In its place was bottomless, suffocating darkness. Black mist clung to his body like corrupted dry ice.
The sheer intensity of the darkness made her, a creature of the night, feel a chill crawl up her spine.
For the first time in a long while, Selene had the unsettling realization that maybe… maybe she wasn't nearly dark enough.
She gave a signal, and the Vampires lowered their weapons.
"Apologies. It's been a tense few days."
Kai's gaze swept the room. He recognized every face—the same Vampires he'd seen last night. Including Danial, who was glaring daggers at him, fury burning in his eyes.
Danial, whom Kai had effortlessly blasted away with Black Magic yesterday.
The only thing stopping him from lunging now was Anruika, her hand firmly gripping his arm.
Kai ignored them all. His attention locked onto Selene.
"Time of action?"
"Tonight."
Kai scanned the room full of Vampires, his expression impatient.
"Troublesome."
"Find me a room. One where no one will bother me."
Selene nodded, guiding him upstairs to a door on the manor's second floor.
Kai stepped inside but paused at the threshold, his voice low and cold.
"If you don't want to die, don't come in."
He shut the door without another word.
Outside, Selene's eyes drifted to the doorknob—now imprinted with a black, corrosive handprint. She frowned slightly.
This man… in just one night, it felt as though he'd transformed into someone completely different.
That ominous mist cloaking him practically reeked of death and power unchecked.
Their opponent this time—Dio—was powerful beyond reason. Could this new "ally" be trusted?
She turned, issuing a command.
"Bring Klein."
Klein was their contact with the Eber Family. She wanted answers. Something about this wizard—this man called Oka—set her instincts on edge, though she couldn't pinpoint why.
Inside the room, Kai sat cross-legged on the floor. Everything around him was decaying, rotting away under the black mist that bled uncontrollably from his body.
He focused all his will on stabilizing the three raging forces within him.
Time slipped by.
Ten minutes later, Kai's eyes snapped open, sharp and alert.
At the same time, a knock echoed on the door.
"Enter."
Upon hearing "Oka's" irritated voice, Selene cautiously stepped in, her gaze strange, layered with suspicion… and perhaps even a trace of pity.
"I thought I made it clear not to disturb me." Kai's voice was sharp, his patience thin.
"Apologies. But I've just received news. You'll want to hear this."
Kai's expression twisted in irritation.
"What news?"
Selene inhaled deeply.
"Last night… the Eber Family. Completely wiped out."
Kai froze.
"…What?"
His mismatched eyes widened slightly, his expression unreadable as Selene watched him carefully, her unease growing by the second.