Olorun and Chiyo trudged through the snow, bruised and exhausted from battle. Their breaths puffed visibly in the cold air, and Olorun's shoulders slouched with each step.
"Damn... my legs feel like lead," he muttered.
Chiyo sighed, arms crossed, "I thought vampires didn't get tired."
"Yeah, well... I'm emotionally exhausted," he replied with a sarcastic flick of his hair.
As they rounded the ridge, a warm sound broke through the cold silence.
"YOU GUYS MADE IT!!!" Timmy's happy voice chirped, bouncing up and down next to the others, who were seated around a makeshift fire built.
"ELEO!" Olorun didn't even get to finish before the bunny launched into him with a massive hug.
"I've missed you, Olorun!"
Olorun chuckled, returning the hug. "I've missed you too, Eleo."
He turned to the others. "Kenji—you good?"
Kenji stood tall, arms folded. "Yeah. Of course I am."
"So you beat Agharna?" Olorun asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kenji looked to the side. "Well, uh…"
Tony cut in with a sly grin. "Actually… Agharna and Kenji did fight, but uh… Agharna got bored and walked away. Right, Kenji?"
Kenji nodded quickly. "Yep. Totally it."
Eleo squinted. "But you said he knocked you out."
Kenji's eyes flared. "ELEO, YOU BASTARD!"
Eleo backpedaled. "Haha—oh, you guys were lying? Uh, never mind, Olorun!"
Olorun burst out laughing, falling flat on his back, shaking in the snow. "BAHAHA! Kenji! That was pathetic!"
"I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS, ELEO!!!" Kenji growled, storming toward him as Eleo scampered behind Tony for cover.
Chiyo blinked. "Wait… who's Agharna?"
Tony leaned back casually. "The strongest animal in World 1."
Timmy added quickly, "Yeah. Extremely dangerous. And scary. He's this giant terrifying bear that—"
"He also stole our ship," Eleo interrupted.
Olorun and Timmy's eyes widened instantly.
"WHAT!!??" they both shouted in unison.
Tony smacked his forehead. "Ohhh, crap. We forgot to mention that."
Olorun gritted his teeth. "God damn! The strongest bear has our ship?"
Timmy's voice dropped. "And he has Amai and Kawai too…"
Kenji nodded solemnly. "Yeah. That's why we're going to get it back. Right, Eleo?"
Eleo stood tall with a confident smirk. "Yup. And I'll kick Agharna's ass!"
Chiyo, watching the chaotic but tight-knit group, felt something unfamiliar stir in her chest. Warmth. In her mind, she thought: Man… these guys are weird. But… they did help me. And I kinda want to stick around.
Olorun glanced around, scratching his head. "Wait. If he took our ship... how the hell are we getting off this island?"
Eleo raised a hand. "Oh! There is one Ascendant ship left. It's not destroyed—we could use it to get outta here."
Timmy nearly cried. "Oh, thank goodness."
Eleo turned to Chiyo, bright eyes wide with excitement. "Chiyo! How about you join our team?"
Chiyo blinked, caught off guard. "Y-you really… want me—a vampire—on your team?"
Kenji stood up slowly, his hand resting on his swords. "Eleo… I know Amai's been begging for us to get a girl on the team, but… having a vampire might not be a good idea."
Timmy stepped up. "Wait, wait! Chiyo is nice!"
Olorun gave a small nod. "Yeah… and her dad's after her. She didn't ask for this."
Chiyo looked down, then up again with fiery sincerity. "I'm a nice person. I wouldn't ever want to hurt the people who protect me."
Eleo put a hand on Kenji's shoulder. "Yeah, Kenji."
Kenji hesitated… then looked away. "Tch…"
Tony crossed his arms, cocking a bony brow. "Come on, Kenji. You gave Olorun a chance when you found out he used to run with the Scorpions. You can give her one too."
Kenji sighed heavily. "…Alright. Alright. But if you even try to hurt us…"
Chiyo put her hands up quickly. "I wouldn't! I swear!"
Eleo grinned. "Then it's official. Chiyo, would you like to join our team?"
Chiyo's expression softened, and a smile tugged at her lips. "Yes. I'd love to."
DING!
A glowing blue system message appeared in the air:
CHİYO HAS JOINED ELEO'S TEAM!
ELEO'S TEAM:
Tony, Kenji, Olorun, Timmy, Chiyo
CHİYO:
Age: 16
Height: 5'7
Race: Vampire
"Okay guys, let's leave this place," Eleo said, his voice light as he took the lead.
The rest of them responded together with an enthusiastic, "Yeah!" and they all headed toward the shore.
The sun was beginning to rise, casting a warm orange glow across the horizon. Yet despite the dawn light, a strange mist lingered all the way out to the sea. It felt off, but nobody commented on it. They just stood there for a moment, quietly taking it in.
"Man, the sun is beautiful," Eleo said softly, staring out.
"It really is," Timmy agreed, his small hands clasped behind his back as he looked up in wonder.
"Like me," Olorun added smugly, folding his arms.
"Shut up, Olorun," Kenji muttered without looking at him.
"So where's this Agharna Bear supposed to be?" Chiyo asked, scanning the hazy waters ahead.
Tony pointed straight ahead. "Animal Kingdom. We just keep sailing that way."
"Well, let's go then," Eleo said, starting to walk again.
As they approached the ship, Kenji suddenly stopped, eyes narrowing.
"Kenji?" Olorun asked. "Come on, man, let's go."
But Kenji didn't move. He stared ahead, past the mist—then Olorun followed his gaze.
"…Wait."
One by one, the others turned and looked. Shapes began emerging from the fog—ships, dozens of them. Some floated in the air with humming engines, others sliced through the water with glowing hulls.
Timmy screamed first. "AHHHHH!"
Eleo joined him. "WE'RE GONNA DIE!!"
"NOOOOOOPE!" Olorun added with a panicked yell.
Tony squinted. "Yeah, uh... I don't think we'll be able to handle all that."
"Wait a minute," Kenji muttered, stepping toward the shore where one of the armored bodies lay crumpled in the wet sand.
He crouched, grabbed the uniform, and tossed it to Chiyo. "Put this on."
Chiyo blinked. "What? Why me?"
"They already know our faces. But you're new. They don't know who you are yet."
Eleo, Timmy, and Olorun all looked at her, pleading.
"Please," Timmy said, his ears drooping.
"C'mon, you're our only shot," Eleo added.
"Fine, fine!" Chiyo said, yanking the coat over her own clothes. She shoved the hat on, adjusted the collar, and took a deep breath. "Alright, get on the ship. All of you. Now."
The others rushed onboard and quickly ducked into the lower deck, hiding beneath crates and behind supply barrels. The moment they were out of sight, Chiyo turned the ship out toward the sea lane.
She gripped the wheel, trying to look relaxed, but her thoughts raced. Please don't figure me out. Please… if they do, we're done for.
Below deck, the others were wide-eyed.
"Wow…" Timmy whispered. "Their ship looks completely different from ours."
"It's like… clean," Eleo said. "And cold."
Tony walked along the narrow corridor, running a bony hand along the smooth steel wall. "Polished. Efficient. No character."
Timmy pointed to a panel. "What's this do?"
"Don't touch anything!" Kenji snapped.
Timmy still pressed the button. A drawer slid out with small metal cylinders stacked neatly.
"Whoa…" Eleo leaned in. "Are those… snacks? Or weapons?"
"I don't care," Olorun said. "I'm not eating mystery pellets."
They moved from one room to another—barracks with rows of tightly made beds, a locker room filled with sharp uniforms, and a control room lit with blinking buttons and strange glowing maps.
Tony peered at the equipment. "It's like a warship. Nothing about this says 'friendly.'"
"I don't think they do 'friendly,'" Kenji said, standing still at the entrance of a sealed door, listening.
After a few more minutes of quiet exploration, they returned to their hiding spot, a little more tense now than before.
"We shouldn't stay down here long," Kenji muttered. "As soon as we're clear of the fleet, let's head back up deck."
Timmy nodded quickly. "Yeah… I don't like it here."
No one argued.
Meanwhile up top
Chiyo gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles pale from the pressure. Her heart pounded in her chest. The mist still lingered, and dozens of Ascendant ships drifted past on either side. Every second felt like an eternity.
She kept her gaze ahead, breathing slowly through her nose, trying to look composed. Just keep sailing. Just a little further. Don't make eye contact. Don't—
A sudden whoosh of wind and heat rushed across the deck.
In an instant, someone appeared before her—tall, poised, and striking.
The man stood at six feet tall, his flaming red hair practically glowing in the early morning light, flickering like fire itself. His deep purple eyes sparkled with a dangerous mix of confidence and recklessness. He wore a pristine formal uniform laced with golden trim, his cloak bearing the crest of the Supreme Council itself.
There was no mistaking it—this wasn't just another officer.
This was Shinsei, one of the Supreme Council.
Chiyo's breath caught in her throat. Her hands nearly slipped from the wheel.
Though his slender frame appeared unassuming, the way he carried himself radiated authority and power far beyond the battlefield. At his hip hung a long, elegant sword that pulsed with an aura of gallantry and unmistakable danger.
"Good morning, Miss," Shinsei said, his voice smooth like velvet, every word laced with grace and calm control. "Forgive the intrusion. I simply had to verify something for myself."
Chiyo froze. Her mouth went dry. "Y-you scared me, sir…"
He bowed his head ever so slightly. "My apologies. That was not my intention. I am Shinsei, one of the Supreme Councilmen. I commend your survival—it is no small feat given what occurred here."
Chiyo forced a shaky nod, heart hammering. "Y-yes, I… I killed the last vampire."
Shinsei's purple eyes gleamed with admiration. "Impressive. You have my sincere respect. To stand alone against such creatures… not many can say the same."
Chiyo forced a nervous smile. "T-thank you, sir…"
His expression shifted slightly, still kind, but more focused. "Tell me—have you, by any chance, apprehended Chiyo? Her presence is required. The Council would prefer her brought in alive, if possible."
Chiyo stiffened. Her mind raced. But her voice came steady—barely.
"No… I couldn't find her," she said. "But… there's still an old vampire on the island. And… a yeti too. I barely escaped."
Shinsei narrowed his gaze slightly, though there was no hostility—just sharp discernment.
"I see…" he murmured. "Disappointing, but not unexpected. Still, your report is of value." He smiled faintly. "You've served well. Your loyalty is noted."
Chiyo lowered her head quickly. "Thank you, sir."
With a flare of red light, Shinsei vanished from the deck.
Moments later, she saw him reappear aboard the lead vessel. His presence alone brought silence to the ranks.
"Scour the island," Shinsei commanded, his voice calm but firm. "Sweep every stretch of land. If Chiyo is there, she must be found. And please—be mindful of our touch upon this world. Let us not mar it needlessly."
"Yes, sir!!" the Ascendants echoed in unison.
Their ships surged forward, quiet and precise, gliding past Chiyo's vessel without a second glance.
Chiyo stood frozen. Only when the last ship had vanished into the mist did she fall to her knees on the deck, her body shaking.
She exhaled a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
"…I can't believe I pulled that off…"
She laughed once under her breath, half in relief, half in disbelief, staring up at the clearing sky.