In this world, the concept of a "high species" could be explained quite simply. Regardless of one's race, any being could become "high." Of course, the process varied from race to race. For instance, a dragon achieving the status of a high dragon was, naturally, far more difficult and rare than a human becoming a high human.
As for how one ascended to a high species, there were several paths, all aligned with this world's power system. The first and most sought-after method was through an elixir. While creating such an elixir was theoretically possible, in practice, it was nearly unattainable.
The second option was divine blessing, an even rarer occurrence than the elixir. Very few ever received a blessing, and there was no clear formula for earning one. One might wake up one day to find themselves blessed by a god, but no one knew the criteria the gods used to bestow such favor - only guesses existed. For example, some believed that to receive a blessing from a demon god, one had to spill the blood of ten thousand beings.
The third and final known path was to transcend one's own essence. This was the most difficult method, yet also the most reliable, as it required neither external intervention nor the mercy of others. A being would push its inner potential beyond its limits, undergoing true evolution. However, this often ended in madness or death. Those who pushed their essence too far either consumed themselves or, during the transformation, degenerated into monstrous aberrations.
As for the common traits of high species… They typically exuded an extraordinary aura, exerting a direct pressure on the surrounding beings. Even the mere presence of an ordinary high species could instill a compulsion to kneel in those with weaker wills. Their physical strength and magical potential increased dramatically, their lifespans extended, and over time, they could even merge with elements or abstract concepts.
But being a high species was not always a blessing. In this world, every shining light attracted the attention of the darkness. Cults trained specifically to hunt high species, jealous gods, or corrupted high beings all sought either to exploit them for their own purposes or to destroy them before they could fully ascend.
In the end, being "high" in this world brought power, glory, and potential, but it also meant loneliness, threats, and ruthless competition.
And there, standing in the heart of my city, a high vampire grinned at me.
Curse my luck. When a vampire had descended upon my city, I'd been thrilled, thinking the opportunity I'd long awaited had finally arrived. That's why I'd rejected the Hand Estates of the Throne's offer of aid. If only I hadn't. I might escape this alive, but I'd lose a lot of men in the process.
The high vampire's presence suffocated the silence of the square. The mocking glint in his red eyes seemed to weigh every soul in the plaza.
The air grew heavy with his aura, as if even the sky bowed to his weight. The soldiers' torches trembled in their hands as they took a step back. Rebecca's breathing was ragged, her grip on her staff tight, but for a moment, the determination in her eyes faltered, replaced by desperation.
"Leonardo," she whispered, her voice almost pleading. "We can't handle this… thing. Not like this."
I clenched my teeth, my eyes fixed on the vampire. "I know, Reb. But running from a vampire. Especially a high vampire is impossible. He'd catch us in an instant."
The high vampire stepped down from the edge of the fountain with deliberate slowness. Each step echoed like a drum on the stone pavement; heavy, rhythmic, menacing. His cloak billowed despite the still air, as if the night itself bent to his will. As he took a step toward me, every instinct screamed, "Run!" But my legs felt rooted to the ground. It wasn't just fear; it was the crushing weight of his presence, like standing in the shadow of a mountain.
"Count Leonardo," the vampire said, his voice smooth as velvet but sharp as a blade. "You went through all this trouble to find me, but now… what will you do?" His smile widened, his teeth gleaming in the moonlight. "You know, watching you have been… amusing. Your little hunting parties, those pitiful torches, your desperate struggles…" He tilted his head, as if bowing to an audience at a theater. "But the game is over."
Rebecca edged closer to me, raising her staff and pointing it at the vampire. "This city doesn't belong to you," she said, her voice laced with forced courage. "Leave now, or I'll make sure you don't walk away from this."
The vampire paused, then laughed a cold, cruel sound that echoed off the stone walls of the square. I turned to Tullan, standing close with his brother, and used every ounce of body language to send a clear message. We needed help *now*. Tullan nodded, understanding immediately, and sprinted off without a word.
His footsteps faded into the oppressive silence of the square. The vampire noticed but merely shrugged, his mocking gaze returning to me.
Rebecca's staff trembled in her hands. "Leonardo, what's the plan?" She whispered, her eyes tracking the vampire's every move. "You sent Tullan, but… even if help comes, what can we do against this thing?"
"We buy time," I said under my breath. "He's arrogant. We use that." A plan was forming in my mind, though I wasn't sure how effective it would be. High vampires were more than just enemies; they were powerful, fast, and worst of all, intelligent. But every being had a weakness, didn't they? Arrogance was their Achilles' heel.
The vampire took another step forward. The soldiers in the square were frozen with fear; some had lowered their swords and begun to retreat. I couldn't blame them. The creature before us wasn't just a monster; it was a force of nature. But I, Count Leonardo, was responsible for this city. If I ran now, no one would respect my title as Lord. And in this world, I had things I refused to lose. Somehow, I had to kill this damned vampire.
No hero complex here. If it came to it, I'd carve this vampire's balls off with a garlic-smeared silver dagger. Honor be damned. I just didn't want to lose here.
The square was on the verge of becoming a battlefield. The vampire's mocking smile remained fixed, as if he were watching a theatrical performance. I gripped my sword tightly, ignoring the pain in my shoulder, and stood tall. The bright fire emanating from Rebecca's staff flickered and formed a ring of fire around the vampire. The fire kept the vampire at bay, but it could go out at any moment. I prayed Tullan would return with help, but I wasn't one for praying. Action was my preference.
"Well, bloodsucker," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you're so superior, why are you still talking? Scared? Or just milking the spotlight?" My words were a jab at his pride. The slightest insult could provoke high vampires, confident as they were. And I was going to milk that for all it was worth.
The vampire's eyes narrowed, his smile vanishing. "Little human," he said, his voice filling the square like a storm. "Foolishness should not be mistaken for courage. Your end will be written in this plaza." He took another step, his claws clicking against the stone.
Rebecca's staff shook, the red glow of her flames dimming for a moment. The vampire must have sensed it, because his smile returned. His grin flashed like the edge of a sharpened blade.**
"Little human," he repeated, his voice thundering through the square, "you're pushing the limits of your folly." He paused, his red eyes scanning everyone in the plaza, like a predator sizing up its prey. Then, with a graceful flick of his hand, he raised his fingers. "But since you're so eager… let's play with your dogs first."
The vampire whispered something, and a guttural growl rose from the shadows of the square. The darkness seemed to writhe, alive, and suddenly, shapeless silhouettes emerged from all directions. Red-eyed, gaunt, yet lethally agile creatures lunged forward. These were the vampire's "men" low-level vampires, bound to the high vampire's will, ravenous and feral slaves.
They weren't made of flesh and bone but of blood puppets with no will or intellect, yet still deadly. Their teeth were razor sharp, their claws long and wicked, their movements a blend of a wolf pack's speed and a serpent's cunning.
**The square turned into a vision of hell.** At the vampire's command, the low-level vampires swarmed my soldiers like a hurricane. Growls, screams, and the clash of steel tore through the night. The first strike came so fast that my men were caught off guard. One soldier didn't even have time to raise his sword before a vampire slave's claws sent him sprawling, his throat torn open, his eyes frozen in shock. Blood splashed across the stone, glinting in the flickering torchlight.
"No!" I roared, lunging forward with my sword. But the vampire slaves flowed like a flood. Two more soldiers fell, one screaming as a creature's teeth sank into his arm, the other collapsing silently with claws buried in his chest. The stench of blood filled the square, widening the high vampire's grin.
"Leonardo!" Rebecca shouted, raising her staff and unleashing a wave of fire. The flames consumed one of the vampire slaves, reducing it to a howling pile of ash, but another quickly took its place. "There's too many! We need to fall back!"
"Hold on, Reb!" I yelled, driving my sword into a slave's chest. The creature collapsed with a guttural snarl, but it was a fleeting victory. My soldiers were dropping one by one. I admired their courage, but they were helpless against the speed and savagery of these creatures. Another man went down, claws piercing his back, his sword clattering uselessly on the stone. The fear in his eyes cut through me like a knife. These were my men. But with every passing moment, another person was dying
The high vampire stood by the fountain, motionless, like a god observing the chaos. His hands were clasped elegantly, his eyes drinking in the carnage. "How fragile they are," he said, his voice a mocking melody. "Your loyal dogs, Count Leonardo. Falling one by one." His face twisted in disgust.
"And you… you do nothing. You're unworthy of your title."