Milan slowly opened his eyes and found himself standing once again within the endless dark dimension. There was nothing around him except an endless void that stretched into eternity. The silence was overwhelming. A familiar presence emerged behind him.
"So, it's you again?" Milan said as he slowly turned around.
Standing before him was The Vessel—his exact reflection. This time, however, its eyes glowed with a deep, blood-red color instead of their usual darkness.
"How did I get back here?" Milan asked, staring at himself. The Vessel slowly walked toward him with an unsettling smile.
"Can't you tell?" it replied calmly. "We are connected now." Milan narrowed his eyes.
"Then I guess I'll just have to get rid of you." Without another word, he lunged forward and threw a powerful punch. Before his fist could connect, The Vessel vanished into thin air. A split second later—
BAM!
It appeared behind Milan and delivered a devastating kick straight into his back. Milan was sent crashing face-first onto the cold ground. Blood immediately began dripping from his nose as pain shot through his body. The Vessel slowly approached him.
"How many times do I have to tell you?" it said. "Whatever you're thinking, I'm already two steps ahead of you. You cannot defeat me, Milan."
Milan slowly pushed himself back onto his feet. This time… He was furious. A strange darkness slowly crept across his eyes until both irises became completely black.Even The Vessel froze.
For the first time…It looked shocked.Milan smiled. Not with confidence— But with something far more terrifying. The Vessel charged toward him at full speed. Milan effortlessly sidestepped the attack before driving an incredibly powerful punch into The Vessel's chest.The impact echoed throughout the empty dimension. The Vessel was launched across the darkness like a ragdoll.Before it could hit the ground—Milan disappeared.He instantly reappeared above it.
Grabbing The Vessel by the throat, Milan slammed it violently into the ground, creating a powerful shockwave that rippled through the dark landscape.
The Vessel struggled beneath him, trying to break free.But this time…Milan was stronger.
"You may beat me once," Milan said while tightening his grip around its neck, "but never underestimate me a second time." He pulled back his fist, gathering enough strength for one final crushing blow.
Just as he was about to strike—The Vessel vanished.
Milan's fist slammed into the ground instead. At that exact moment—Milan gasped awake.His eyes snapped open. Standing quietly beside him was Nutaila. She looked down at him before giving a small nod.
"Well done," she said calmly. Milan slowly sat up before getting to his feet.
"How long have you been awake?" he asked.
"Long enough to watch the entire thing," Nutaila replied. "We should head back to the others now."
Milan nodded.
"Lead the way."He began walking ahead while Nutaila quietly followed behind.
As they continued through the forest, she suddenly slowed her pace.Something felt wrong,She could feel someone's presence Without saying anything, she slowly turned toward the thick trees surrounding them. Her sharp eyes scanned the darkness.
"I don't know who you are," she said quietly, "or what you want from us."She paused.
"But I've sensed you ever since we arrived here."
"You've been hiding in the shadows… silently watching us."Her expression became colder.
"Remember this. You're not the only one who knows how to hide in the darkness.If any of my friends get hurt…I won't stay down." After speaking those words, she turned around and continued walking.The forest became silent once again.
Only after both of them had completely disappeared…
A pair of eyes slowly opened within the trunk of a nearby tree.A mysterious woman revealed herself.
She had merged her entire body with the tree itself, perfectly hidden from sight.She watched them silently.
Meanwhile, Scarlet and the others had already packed their belongings and were preparing to leave.
A few minutes later, Milan and Nutaila returned.
"Wow," Zero laughed. "So the training really took the entire night? Just the two of you?"
"Shut up, Zero," Raven replied without hesitation.
Scarlet remained unusually quiet, carefully observing Milan.
"So…" Scarlet finally asked, turning toward Nadia.
"How much farther do we have to go?" Nadia looked toward the forest ahead.
"If we leave now, we'll reach the city by this afternoon." She pointed toward a narrow path.
"I know a shortcut through here. It's much faster."
Everyone agreed.Just as they were about to move…
Nutaila suddenly froze.Darkness spread across her eyes.Everyone immediately noticed.
"Nutaila?" Scarlet asked.
"What is it?"
"Someone is coming." She spoke Zero smiled.
"You can actually tell that someone is coming now?"
He casually stepped forward. Nutaila immediately raised her hand, stopping him.
"Stay where you are." Her voice became serious.
"Whoever it is… they're moving incredibly fast."She closed her eyes for a moment.
"And…They're bleeding."Scarlet stepped beside her.
"Human?" She asked Nutaila slowly nodded.
"Yes." She opened her eyes.
"They're here."Everyone instantly became alert.
Raven unsheathed both of her swords.The sound of footsteps grew louder.Moments later—
A woman stumbled out of the trees.Her clothes were torn, Blood covered one of her legs.
"Layla?" Zero gasped."Is that really you?"
Layla looked up.The moment she recognized him, tears filled her eyes.
"Zero!" She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh my God… you're alive!" The others silently watched the emotional reunion.Nutaila noticed the blood immediately.
"You're wounded," she said.
"If we don't treat you quickly, the vampires will catch up." Layla slowly released Zero before looking around.
Then her eyes landed on Nadia. Her face instantly filled with fear.
"My God… She's a vampire! Zero, she's a vampire!"
Zero gently grabbed her shoulders.
"Hey… relax.It's okay. She isn't a vampire anymore. She was only being used as a Vessel. Once she gave birth, the vampirism disappeared."
Layla stared at Nadia in complete disbelief. She slowly looked at everyone else.
"Who are these people? Zero… who are they?"
Before Zero could answer—Milan stepped forward. His face was completely serious.
"What were you running from?"Layla looked at him.
"The guards… They shot me. They captured everyone inside the hall.They're going to drain their bloo…and then kill every single one of them." She was speaking so fast she could barely breathe.
"Easy," Zero said calmly.
"Take a breath.Tell us exactly what's happening. Where's Ayanna?"The moment Milan heard his sister's name… His entire body tensed. He immediately stepped closer.
"They took her," Layla answered.
"All of them. Marcus is going to kill everyone.Ayanna found an escape route. We were trying to escape with Ben and Zara…but they caught her." Nadia's eyes widened.
"Zara…My daughter…She's alive?"
Layla nodded.
"Yes. She's with them." Milan immediately reached for his sword.Scarlet quickly stepped in front of him.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, Milan?" Layla suddenly froze. She stared at him.
"You're Milan? Ayanna's brother? She never stopped talking about you.She always believed that you would come for her." Milan looked down for a brief moment.
Then he met Layla's eyes.
"She wasn't wrong." He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"We're leaving now. Before anyone else gets hurt."
Layla quickly shook her head.
"We can't just walk in there.Marcus is an animal."
Milan's expression remained cold.
"Then it's a good thing…I'm worse. Show us the route you used to escape."
Before Layla could answer, Her injured leg suddenly gave out beneath her. The bullet wound had weakened her too much.She collapsed.
Zero quickly caught her before she hit the ground.
Then Nutaila's expression changed.
"They're here." Six vampires emerged from the forest, slowly approaching the group.Layla panicked.
"We have to run!"She desperately tried to stand.
"They're here!"Zero gently helped her back down.
"Relax. You're safe now." The vampires continued moving closer. Not a single member of the group moved. Raven gripped her swords.
"I'll kill them." Nutaila calmly raised her hand.
"Wait."She looked at Milan.
"Milan…Would you mind taking care of them? Everyone turned toward him. Without saying a word…
Darkness surrounded Milan. His eyes turned completely black once again. Layla watched in absolute horror. Milan glanced toward her wounded leg.
Suddenly The bullet slowly forced itself out of her flesh. The wound instantly closed.
The torn skin stitched itself together before everyone's eyes. Layla stared in complete disbelief.
"They're here!" Nadia shouted.
Milan finally looked toward the approaching vampires.
Then He vanished. A powerful gust of wind swept through the forest.
Before anyone could even blink Every vampire fell lifeless to the ground. Milan quietly stood back in the exact same place he had been moments before.
His sword dripped with fresh blood. The forest became silent. Layla stared at him with fear written across her face.
"He's…a monster." Exhaustion finally overwhelmed her. She collapsed unconscious. Milan immediately turned to leave. Nutaila stepped in front of him.
Scarlet joined her.
"We have to wait until she wakes up," Nutaila said.
Milan shook his head.
"Look at her. She won't be able to guide us anytime soon. She said they're going to kill everyone. I can't waste another second while my sister's life is in danger."Raven stepped forward.
"We all understand. But she's the only one who knows the fastest route. Without her, we'll lose even more lives." Milan looked toward the forest.
"I'll follow her tracks."Nadia slowly approached him.
"Milan…I know how much your sister means to you.I know you're desperate to save her." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I have a child too. So I understand exactly how you're feeling. But if we rush in without a plan, many more people will die. We need to think before we act. So please Let's wait for her to wake up."
Milan remained silent. After several long moments…
The darkness slowly faded from his eyes.He finally returned his sword to its sheath.For now He would wait.