Aiden narrowed his eyes as a glint of steel caught the morning light.
"Well, that looks interesting," he muttered, swatting a blood-red blade out of the air with two fingers as if it were a mere fly.
Behind him, the massive wolf Fenrir growled lowly, watching the sky as a swirling maelstrom of bats and crimson mist erupted behind Ashiq's mansion. The scent of old magic and blood filled the air, carried on the cold wind that swept through the forested northern hills.
Aiden gave Fenrir a slight nod. "Do as you please. I'll have a look."
With a blur of motion, Fenrir disappeared into the trees, his shimmering white fur blending seamlessly into the snowy woods that bordered the estate.
Aiden approached the wrought iron gates of Ashiq's mansion, his every step deliberate and refined. Two vampire guards clad in ceremonial black armor bowed deeply as he drew near.
"Great Grand Duke," one greeted, his voice smooth as velvet. "This way, if you would."
Aiden inclined his head slightly, keeping his posture impeccable. He didn't dare slack on etiquette—Aisha had made it very clear what the consequences were for that. He still remembered the "tea incident" and the week of enforced curtsies that followed.
The vampire led him through the grand stone hallways to an imposing obsidian door. Runes etched into the frame glowed softly as Aiden approached. With a low hum, the door opened of its own accord, revealing a scene that halted Aiden in his tracks.
Above the open training field behind the mansion, a flurry of bats swirled violently in the air. At the center of the vortex, Ashiq reformed from mist and wing, his figure emerging with regal precision. He raised his hand, summoning a jagged blade of black and crimson energy.
Without warning, he dashed forward, slashing toward Isipho, who stood motionless with his hands in his pockets. Just as the blade connected—
Boom!
The impact shook the ground. One of the field's towering dome pillars cracked under the shockwave. But Ashiq's blade had struck only smoke. Isipho had vanished.
From Ashiq's very shadow, Isipho rose like a phantom.
"Got ya."
His foot connected with Ashiq's chest in a thunderous kick, launching him across the field like a cannonball.
"What in the hell...?" Aiden muttered, as a new blur of motion entered the fray.
Adriaan appeared behind Ashiq mid-flight, flames spiraling around his gauntlet. With a roar, he unleashed a massive punch wreathed in fire. The entire field lit up in a blast of heat and smoke.
But out of that blaze stepped another figure—Byron—his armored fist catching Adriaan's attack in midair.
"Sorry, but you can't just delete my partner like that," Byron said with a grin.
"Byron, you sneaky son of a—"
DOOM!
Before Adriaan could finish, Byron's follow-up punch hurled him through a stone wall like a missile.
"Come on, this tag team ain't done yet!" Byron shouted, the grin never leaving his face.
"Yeah! Let's knock 'em dead!" Ashiq yelled as he dusted himself off and materialized a high-tech rifle from a swirl of shadows.
"I ain't done yet!" Adriaan bellowed, erupting into fire as he rose from the rubble.
"Now that's what I'm talking about," Isipho said, emerging from another shadow to stand beside Adriaan. The two of them squared up again, flames and shadows dancing around them like twin hurricanes of destruction.
Aiden whistled as the four combatants blurred toward each other. Their movement was so fast, normal eyes wouldn't be able to follow.
Doom. Doom. Doom.
Each impact rocked the ground like an earthquake. Magic rippled through the air—flame, shadow, blood, and steel. It was a battle worthy of their titles.
"Seems we're late to the party," came a smooth voice behind Aiden.
Turning, Aiden saw Lerenso and Mans enter the training ground, both taking in the spectacle.
"So this is what he meant by a little gathering," Mans said, his eyes glowing faintly as he watched the battle unfold.
"You guys finally made it," called out Cornê, seated on the sidelines. Aiden glanced over to see Kleano casually eating at a table set up just outside the arena, apparently unfazed by the chaos.
"Don't mind him," Cornê said, noticing Aiden's gaze. "He's been there ever since he lost a duel to Adriaan."
As the others gathered around, the arena continued to shake with power. Then, the massive doors behind them creaked open, and a vampire maid bowed politely.
"Your Graces, all preparations for the banquet have been completed."
The announcement caught everyone off guard.
"Who's going to stop that?" Mans asked, nodding toward the magical warzone.
Kleano stood up and strolled toward the field.
"Wait, what's he—?"
Without warning, he slammed his fist into the ground. A giant crimson wall of magic erupted, dividing the battlefield in an instant. Silence fell. Even the combatants stopped mid-swing.
"Impressive," Isipho said, stepping back as his flames died down.
"Why'd you stop us?" Byron asked, slightly annoyed.
"A maid said the party's ready," Kleano replied simply.
Ashiq holstered his rifle immediately and turned toward the mansion. "I'm starving. Let's go."
The others followed without protest.
Inside, Ashiq led everyone into a room lined with velvet curtains and golden mirrors. Dozens of luxurious outfits were displayed, tailored for each of them.
"A merchant visited earlier. I had these made for you. If you don't like what you see, materialize something better," Ashiq said casually.
He changed into a black and crimson ensemble that screamed royalty, every thread enchanted to match his aura as Vampire King.
An hour later, everyone emerged dressed in grandeur—flowing coats, intricate jewelry, enchanted silk and armor—all customized to reflect their new nobility.
As they made their way to the banquet hall, Ashiq leaned over to Byron.
"Oh, before I forget—you'll need to give a speech."
"Wait, what?" Byron blinked.
"You're a King now. It comes with the crown," Aiden said with a smirk.
As they reached the grand banquet doors, a maid greeted them.
"Your Majesties, Your Graces, everyone is assembled."
The hall beyond was filled with vampires, nobles, merchants, and military leaders of the Twilight Kingdom. Chandeliers of floating bloodstones hung above, casting a dim red glow.
After the formal introductions and a brief ceremony, Byron and Ashiq stayed behind to address the crowd while the others dispersed.
It wasn't long before Aiden found himself surrounded by vampire lords, each one trying to curry favor. His eye twitched.
"Grand Duke Vermillion —tell me, what are your views on the trade routes to—"
"—and your stance on blood-tax policies, Your Grace—?"
Aiden politely smiled as he internally screamed.
Eventually, he, Byron, and Ashiq regrouped, finally free from the crowd.
"That was exhausting," Byron sighed, sipping a glass of wine.
"Tell me about it," Aiden said, scanning the room for the others.
Ashiq's eyes narrowed. "Looks like Lerenso's up to something."
They spotted him slipping away with a stunning vampire woman whose eyes glowed an unusual purple.
"Somewhere special," Lerenso whispered to her as his own eyes flickered purple.
But before things could escalate—
Snap!
Aiden raised a hand, dispelling the charm with a simple snap.
"Huh? What happened…?" the woman blinked. She looked around, dazed, then gasped as recognition hit her.
"You were a little tipsy," Ashiq said smoothly. "Aphrodite was helping you get around. Glad to see you've snapped out of it."
"Thank you, Your Grace. I… I'll return to my fiancé now," she said hurriedly, blushing as she rushed off.
Ashiq rounded on Lerenso with a stormy glare.
"She's one of the most powerful nobles in this kingdom. Madly in love. Do you have any idea what would've happened if you followed through?"
"I was just—"
"You were about to cause a civil war between vampires and succubi," Aiden finished flatly.
"…Right."
"You're coming with me," Aiden said, dragging Lerenso away.
Later that night, the banquet continued in full swing. Aiden and Byron sat atop a secluded platform overlooking a lake behind the mansion.
"Didn't think he'd try seducing vampires now," Byron said, staring at the moonlit water. "Already slept with a few succubi… figures he'd try his luck everywhere."
"He did what?" Aiden asked.
"He even tried seducing Aisha last week."
Aiden laughed in disbelief. "Seriously?"
"She left him limbless. I found him in the throne room covered in blood, mumbling about dragon pride."
The two of them laughed, but soon fell into thoughtful silence.
Aiden stared at the water. "Have you noticed there are no humans in our territory?"
Byron nodded. "Aisha explained it. Humans naturally fear other races. Elves are the only exception."
"Do you think we should reach out? Talk to them?" Aiden's voice was quiet, pensive.
Byron frowned. "Where's this coming from?"
"I just… I feel like a conflict's coming. We were human, not long ago. But now, I don't know if it'll be a peaceful meeting if we ever cross paths again."
Byron looked at him seriously. "Let's do what's best for this world. But let's not let our past lives dictate our future."
"…Yeah."
"That said, we should keep our humanity. That's something worth holding on to."
"You're right," Aiden said with a small smile.
Byron smirked. "Where'd all this wisdom come from? Didn't absorb it from some blue slime, did you?"
"Who knows," Byron replied, grinning.
Up on the roof, Aisha sat quietly in the wind, her long silver hair fluttering.
"A peaceful encounter…" she whispered, watching them from above.