Milan stood alone in the middle of the battlefield, his eyes consumed by darkness as he silently waited for Marcus to approach. Around him, dozens of vampires charged at full speed, their bloodthirsty screams echoing across the ruined camp.
Without flinching, Milan bent down and lifted a massive boulder from the ground as if it weighed nothing. With one swift motion, he hurled it into the charging horde. The gigantic rock tore through the crowd, crushing vampire after vampire before finally crashing into the earth. Bodies and blood were scattered everywhere. Marcus slowly rose to his feet, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
The deep wounds covering his body began healing before everyone's eyes. Flesh reformed, broken bones mended themselves, and within seconds he looked completely refreshed.
"What incredible power I possess," Marcus said proudly, stretching his arms.
"I can't wait to lay waste to this entire world."
Milan slowly drew both of his swords.
"You and I have never met, but your greatest mistake was underestimating our bloodline."he said coldly
With explosive speed, Milan rushed toward Marcus, both blades aimed straight for his heart.
The instant he reached him Marcus caught him by the throat. His grip tightened like steel before he lifted Milan effortlessly into the air. Flapping his massive wings, Marcus flew high above the battlefield while choking him mercilessly.
Then…He slammed Milan straight through the roof of a nearby building. The entire structure shook violently as they crashed through several floors before smashing into the ground beneath. Dust exploded throughout the room, making it impossible to see anything. Milan slowly climbed to his feet, coughing as he searched through the thick cloud.
"Where are you…" he muttered.
Suddenly— BANG! Marcus appeared behind him, swinging a massive iron beam with terrifying force.
The metal crashed into the back of Milan's head.
The impact launched him across the room before he smashed violently into a concrete wall. Blood poured from the back of his skull as his body slid helplessly to the floor.
His vision blurred. His strength vanished. Everything slowly faded into darkness. Marcus walked toward his unconscious body with a cruel grin. Without hesitation, he began smashing Milan's face with one brutal punch after another. Each blow echoed through the building.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Milan slowly opened his eyes. He found himself kneeling inside the endless dark dimension once more. His body was covered in blood. Every wound Marcus inflicted in the real world appeared here as well. He struggled to breathe as blood dripped onto the black floor beneath him. Slow footsteps echoed through the darkness. The Vessel emerged from the shadows behind him.
"Well… well… well…Looks like somebody finally met his fate."the Vessel said with a wicked smile.
Milan remained silent, keeping his head lowered.
"You claimed you were strong enough," the Vessel continued.
"Look at you now. That monster is smashing your face to pieces while you're slowly dying."
Every punch Marcus landed outside caused Milan's body inside the dark dimension to bleed even more.
The pain became unbearable.
"You know there's still a way out of this." The Vessel slowly knelt beside him.
"Surrender yourself to the darkness.Kneel before us. Let Victor become your master. And together…We shall rule this world." Milan remained silent for a few seconds.
Then… He began laughing. Softly at first. Then louder.
The Vessel's smile disappeared. He instinctively took several steps backward. Milan slowly rose to his feet.
"You've lived inside my body all this time and yet… you still failed to notice something about me."Milan said calmly
The Vessel stared at him in confusion. Milan slowly turned around. His eyes glowed a terrifying dark crimson. The Vessel froze.
"No…" His voice trembled.
"That's impossible.How…? How did you steal my power? How are you controlling it?"
Milan smiled.
"Through pain…Torture…And suffering." He stepped closer.
"I didn't surrender to the darkness. I conquered it."
The Vessel stared at him in complete disbelief.
"Be careful…You may have taken my power… but don't abuse it.The darkness you're using isn't ordinary.Use too much of it, and it will consume you completely. This is your first time wielding it. I am merely a human… just like you."the Vessel warned nervously.
He slowly pointed into the endless darkness surrounding them.
"But the darkness you're carrying…that is the true Vessel." Milan looked directly into his eyes.
Without saying another word, he placed his hand on the Vessel's forehead. Instantly, the Vessel's eyes rolled backward. His entire body collapsed into an unnatural sleep.
"I'll lock you away, And you'll never control me again."Milan whispered. The dark dimension shattered.
Back in the real world… Marcus raised his fist for another punch.But this time…His fist stopped.Milan's hand had caught it.Marcus frowned.
His eyes widened as Milan's grip slowly tightened.
Bones began cracking.Marcus screamed in pain.
Milan slowly opened his eyes. They burned with an overwhelming dark crimson glow.
Every wound on his face healed instantly. Broken bones repaired themselves. The blood disappeared as though it had never existed. Without hesitation, Milan drove one of his swords deep into Marcus's chest. The blade pierced straight through him.
Marcus dropped to one knee, coughing blood.
Milan leaned forward and stared directly into his eyes.
Then…He unleashed the darkness. Black energy poured into Marcus's body. Marcus let out horrifying screams as the darkness devoured him from within. His skin shriveled. His muscles withered away. His body became thinner and weaker with every passing second. Milan simply smiled. Cruelly. Without mercy.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out several grenades.One by one… He forced them into Marcus's mouth. Marcus desperately tried to resist but couldn't. Milan vanished in a blur.
Seconds later—
BOOOOOOOOM!! The entire camp erupted in a massive explosion.Fire consumed everything. Buildings collapsed. The ground trembled with such force that nearby forests shook violently.
Miles away… Zero slammed on the brakes of the van.
Everyone turned around in horror as a gigantic pillar of fire rose into the sky behind them.
The camp was gone. As they turned back toward the road… Someone stood in front of the van. It was Milan. His eyes glowed with complete darkness.
Dark crimson. Pure hatred radiated from his body. Ayanna stared at him in shock.
"Brother?" Milan slowly smiled. It wasn't a smile she recognized. It was cruel, Heartless.
"No," Nutaila said quietly. Her voice trembled.
"That's not your brother…that's the Vessel." Ayanna's heart nearly stopped.
Suddenly, Milan pulled back his fist. Dark energy gathered around it. Zero immediately threw the van into reverse.A split second later, Milan's punch struck the ground. The earth exploded beneath the impact, sending enormous cracks racing across the battlefield. Everyone inside the van stared in complete disbelief. Zero slammed the accelerator. The van sped away.
"Scarlet! Nutaila! It's your turn now!"Zero shouted.
"He's a monster! Why is he chasing us?"Ayanna cried.
"He's not after us, He wants you."Zero replied. Ayanna's breathing became uneven.
Suddenly— Milan vanished. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared directly in front of the speeding van.
Nutaila exchanged a worried glance with Scarlet.
Just as Milan prepared to destroy the vehicle A blast of brilliant blue energy slammed into him.
BOOM! He was launched through the air before crashing into several enormous trees. Scarlet stepped out of the van. Her entire body radiated a brilliant blue light. Both of her swords glowed like living stars. She glanced back at Zero and Ayanna.
"You two have a lot of explaining to do later."
Before anyone could answer, Milan ripped an entire tree from the ground and hurled it toward the van. Scarlet calmly raised one hand. The massive tree froze in midair. With a simple motion, she sent it flying back toward him. Milan dodged effortlessly before landing gracefully on top of the spinning tree.
"GO!" Scarlet shouted. Zero didn't hesitate.
The van sped away, leaving Scarlet alone to face Milan. Silence filled the battlefield. Milan stared at Scarlet with his crimson eyes. He wasn't attacking. He was studying her. Scarlet remained perfectly still, patiently waiting for him to make the first move.
Without warning Milan disappeared. He instantly appeared behind her, raising his sword to stab straight through her back.But…He froze. His body refused to move. Scarlet hadn't even turned around.
Using only her power, she held him completely still.
With another gesture, she forced his own sword to rotate toward him. The blade slowly pointed at his own chest. Scarlet finally turned to face him. For a brief second, Milan found an opening. His crimson eyes glowed brighter as he unleashed the darkness, attempting to invade Scarlet's mind through her vision.
The moment their eyes met Everything changed.
Scarlet's brilliant blue energy surged violently through her eyes and transformed into streams of pure light.
Instead of entering her mind…The darkness was overwhelmed. The blue energy rushed directly into Milan's eyes.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!!" Milan screamed in unbearable agony. He dropped to his knees, clutching his face.
His crimson eyes instantly turned completely white.
The darkness vanished from them. He continued screaming.
Then…Silence. Milan collapsed onto the ground, crying in agony. Blind. Scarlet's glowing aura slowly faded as she returned to normal.
She placed a hand against her aching head, breathing heavily.
When she looked down…She saw Milan lying helplessly on the ground. The terrifying darkness had disappeared. Only a broken, blind young man remained.
"My God… Milan, what happened? What did you do?"Scarlet rushed toward him.
Milan's eyes burned like crimson embers. The strange symbols that had once covered his face were completely gone. Scarlet froze. Shock overwhelmed her before she collapsed to her knees, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She broke into uncontrollable sobs.
Inside the van, Nutaila suddenly gasped.She felt it.
Her eyes widened with fear.
"Stop the van!" she shouted.Everyone looked at her in alarm. Zero slammed on the brakes.
"What happened? Nutaila, are you okay?" Raven asked. Tears slowly rolled down Nutaila's cheeks.
"We have to go back… now. Something happened to Milan. I can feel him." Everyone fell silent. Ayanna's heart immediately sank.
"Turn around!" she shouted.
"Go back! Now!" Without hesitation, Zero spun the van around and sped back.
Scarlet and Milan were still kneeling on the ground. She refused to let go of him.
"I'm so sorry, babe… Please forgive me… please…"
She cried against his shoulder while Milan silently wept. Moments later, the van arrived. Everyone stepped out and saw the two of them embracing in the middle of the road. Milan kept his head lowered.
"Don't let my sister see me like this," he quietly pleaded. Scarlet nodded before standing. Ayanna was already running toward them. Scarlet quickly stepped in front of her.
"Ayanna… stop. You can't see him right now."
"Move!" Ayanna shouted.
"That's my brother!" She tried pushing past her.
Nutaila ignored everyone else and slowly walked toward Milan. The moment she saw his face… Her entire body froze. Her knees gave out beneath her.
Tears streamed down her face as she stared at him in disbelief. Everyone noticed her reaction. Ayanna became even more desperate.
"I said MOVE, bitch!" She drew her knives.
"Please, Ayanna," Scarlet pleaded.
"For your own good… I don't want to fight you."
Ayanna lunged forward. Her knives flew one after another. Scarlet dodged each blade while trying to stop her without hurting her.
Then Ayanna landed a powerful punch across Scarlet's face. Scarlet crashed onto the ground.
Ayanna sprinted toward Milan but Zero grabbed her from behind.
"Zero… not you too." Her voice cracked.
"Please… let me go."
At that moment…Milan slowly stood. He finally raised his head. Everyone saw him. Silence consumed the road. Ayanna's eyes immediately filled with tears. She let out a heartbreaking cry. Behind everyone else, Nadia quickly covered Zara's and Ben's eyes.
Dr. Patel, Ivory, Layla, Emma, and the others stood speechless. Scarlet quietly explained everything that had happened. When she finished… Ayanna's grief became anger.
"You did this to him!" she screamed at Scarlet.
"No…It was my fault. The Vessel took control of me. I tried to steal Scarlet's power."Milan interrupted.
Nutaila finally found her voice.
"It could have killed you, Milan." Her voice trembled.
"And you knew that." Emma quietly walked back to the van. After searching beneath the driver's seat, she found dark glasses. She returned and handed them to him.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"But these should help… at least for now."
Milan accepted them and put them on. His glowing eyes disappeared behind the dark lenses.
The sun was beginning to disappear beyond the horizon Cold winds swept across the empty road.
"It's almost night, We're making camp here." Zero spoke He disappeared into the nearby trees and returned with firewood. Soon, a warm fire crackled beneath the dark sky.
The van remained parked nearby while everyone gathered around the flames.
Scarlet and Nutaila spent the next hour explaining everything to those who still knew nothing about the Vessel, the Pure Blood, or Scarlet's true purpose.
By the end… No one spoke. They simply stared into the fire. Ayanna quietly sat beside Milan. After several minutes, she finally broke the silence.
"So…" She looked toward Scarlet and Nutaila.
"What makes you so sure that I'm the Pure Blood?"
"Because we felt you," Nutaila answered.
"The moment we met you, we knew. Our destiny is to protect you… and help you restore humanity."
Ayanna looked unconvinced.
"It's true," Milan added.
"I never knew about the Vessel inside me either. But now… I finally know the truth." Raven looked around the group.
"So where do we go now?"
"Milan mentioned someone called the Wise," Nadia replied.
"I think that's where we should head." Zero slowly shook his head.
"We can't take everyone." He looked toward the children sleeping inside the van.
"The road ahead is far too dangerous. Milan's right."
He continued,
"We've survived because we fight every day Vampires. Cannibals. Monsters. Cults. And who knows what else we'll find." He glanced toward Dr. Patel, Ivory, Layla, Lucy, Ben, and Zara.
"But these people…They need somewhere safe." Milan nodded.
"Before we continue our journey, we have to find a place where they can stay." Dr. Patel sighed heavily.
"And where exactly do you plan to take us?You destroyed the camp. It was the only safe place left. People scattered. Some died. How are we supposed to survive now?"
"We'll find somewhere A place the vampires can't reach. Somewhere with water, shelter… somewhere people can rebuild."Nutaila said confidently.
Layla gave a tired laugh.
"I don't think a place like that exists anymore."
Silence returned. The fire crackled between them. Finally, Milan lay down beside the flames.
"We all need rest. We'll decide everything at dawn."
Ayanna silently lay beside her brother.
Inside the van, Nadia tucked Ben, Zara, Lucy, and Ivory into bed before lying down with Dr. Patel.
Emma, Layla, and Raven settled near the fire.
Nutaila remained awake, keeping watch over the camp. Meanwhile…Zero quietly walked away into the darkness, needing a moment alone beneath the cold night sky. Zero walked a fair distance away from the camp, staring into the silent forest, The night was cold.
A gentle breeze slipped between the trees, making the branches whisper to one another. He stood quietly, taking a slow breath.
Then Footsteps approached from behind. He turned and saw Scarlet walking toward him.
"Hey…" she said softly.
"I'm sorry if I scared you." Zero gave a small smile.
"Don't worry. I'm used to surprises by now."
Scarlet stopped beside him. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"I… wanted to apologize.Ever since we met, we never really had a chance to be friends. I used you. I misunderstood you. I judged you. I'm sorry, Zero."She looked down.
He looked at her for a long moment before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"Took you long enough." Scarlet couldn't help smiling.
Zero folded his arms.
"We've all done things just to survive.In a world like this…trusting someone completely is almost impossible.You were being careful. I can't blame you for that." He looked toward the forest.
"People have changed."
"Sometimes the monsters look more human than the humans." He turned back toward Scarlet.
"You don't owe me an apology." He held out his hand.
Instead of shaking it…Scarlet stepped forward and hugged him.
"Thank you…" She whispered Zero sighed before gently returning the embrace.
"You're welcome."
Hours later…The camp had fallen completely silent The fire had burned down to glowing embers Everyone was asleep. Even Nutaila. Not a single soul noticed what happened next.
Inside the van…Ivory slept peacefully beside Lucy.
Then Without making a sound A pair of eyes slowly opened from the metal floor beneath them.
A woman's face emerged from the surface of the van as though the steel itself were liquid. Her skin was completely black, blending with the darkness.
Slowly…The rest of her body rose from the floor. She stood over the sleeping children. Without a word, she gently placed one hand on Ivory's forehead and the other on Lucy's. A soft silver light flowed from her body into theirs. The glow lasted only a few seconds before fading away. The woman lowered her hands.
Her body began melting back into the floor.Within moments She became one with the van again.
She traveled beneath its surface before slipping into the earth below. The ground accepted her like water.
She moved silently beneath the soil until she reached Milan. Directly in front of him Two eyes slowly opened from the earth.The woman emerged once again.
She stood over him. Milan breathed peacefully, unaware of her presence. She slowly reached out toward his head.
Just before her fingers touched him Nutaila's eyes snapped open.She immediately sat upright.
Something She felt something. She looked around the camp Nothing No one The presence had vanished.
Nutaila quietly stood and walked away from the others Each step was careful.
Silent She followed the faint energy through the darkness until she reached a clearing far enough away that no one would overhear.
She stopped The forest became completely still.
Then she spoke.
"You've been watching us for quite some time. You never attack us while we sleep. You never help us during battle. You simply follow us." She slowly looked around.
"I can move through shadows. I sense things others cannot. I know you're here.So Why don't we stop hiding? Come out. Let's meet face to face."
Silence.
Then Directly beneath Nutaila's feet A pair of eyes slowly opened within the ground itself. She looked down without moving.The earth rippled The mysterious woman slowly rose from the soil until she stood face-to-face with Nutaila. Neither of them blinked. Neither of them stepped back.
The woman's body was completely colorless, like living stone.
Then Her appearance began to change. Dark colors spread across her skin. Her clothing formed piece by piece until it perfectly matched Nutaila's own attire.
Twin swords materialized on her back. Even her posture mirrored Nutaila's. Nutaila smiled.
"So You've been following us all this time. What exactly do you want from us?"She looked down.
The woman remained silent. She simply stared into Nutaila's eyes with an unreadable expression.
The forest held its breath.