After they finished the oath, the goblin handed them a black card marked with a white rune and asked, while the smell of old dust and cheap incense lingered in the air:
"Anything else, dear guest? If not, I'll take my leave here and thank you for joining the underworld."
When they stepped out of the shop, the stuffy air of the basement was replaced by a cold, damp breeze. Then Drake's stomach growled loudly. Embarrassed by the timing, he lowered his head, but Mikael told him that once they left the kingdom, he would hunt a rabbit for him to eat.
They walked toward the secret transport gate of the black market. The narrow hallway reeked of mold, rusted metal, and lamp smoke. The guards—armor scratched, breathing heavily behind their helmets—motioned for them to come forward. The rough scrape of metal echoed as they checked the cards; only then were Mikael and Drake allowed to pass.
The moment they crossed the portal, the silence of the market was replaced by distant birdsong and the soft rustling of leaves. Seeing a dirt road, trees on both sides, and a cool breeze brushing their faces, Mikael and Drake finally felt relieved. Sunlight filtered through the branches, scattering golden patches across the ground, and the scent of damp earth made it clear the area wasn't often traveled.
That secret route was far from the city walls, so no orc would find it easily, and the path was clear.
Mikael stepped off the road and into the forest, feeling the air grow thicker and the world quieter as he moved deeper between the trees. Drake followed close behind, watching his footing on the uneven ground, dodging exposed roots, and breathing in the strong scent of wood and moss.
Once they were far enough away, Mikael said he would try to contact his blood relatives. The air around them seemed to drop in temperature, and an invisible pressure settled over the clearing as he activated the racial control. His inner voice echoed like a distant call:
"My subjects, I, your leader and father, was wounded in battle, ambushed and captured by the enemy. But now I have escaped, and I ask you to gather at the great stone mountain, in the cave of crimson crystals. When the time comes for us to meet, I have an announcement to make."
At that moment, thousands of runaway, desperate vampires heard the firm, regal voice of their king ringing in their minds. To many, it sounded like a soft thunder breaking a long silence. And it restored hope to that strong and beautiful race.
---
In a wide cavern plain, the walls glowed faintly with red crystals that pulsed like living hearts. Two young women stood beside an equally handsome man. The air was cold, carrying the metallic scent of the crystals.
It was clear they were twins—the only difference was the color of their beautiful hair.
One had dark hair, giving her a dangerous, elegant beauty;
the other had white hair that reflected the crimson glow, making her look almost sacred.
The man had striking blond hair, and all three shared the same blood-red eyes that seemed to shine even brighter as they heard their leader's voice.
When Mikael's message reached them, a wave of warmth rushed through their bodies—a mix of shock and pure relief. The women cried, tears glittering in the red light, and shouted:
"He's alive! Mikael is alive!"
The man remained serious, but his clenched fists trembled with emotion.
---
After all those invisible yet intense reactions, Mikael and Drake stayed in the forest and set up camp. The fire crackled, sending sparks upward like tiny stars. The smell of burning wood mixed with the scent of roasting rabbit, giving the night a warm, comforting atmosphere.
Drake devoured the rabbit fresh from the fire, the heat of the meat contrasting with the cold night breeze. Mikael, still and silent like a statue, stood guard, alert to every sound—crunching leaves, snapping twigs, the hum of insects.
Once Drake finished eating, he asked where they were going and why Mikael hadn't transformed him yet.
Laughing at his impatience, Mikael explained that their destination was the great stone mountain. Just mentioning it sent a chill down Drake's spine—something in Mikael's tone carried both respect and caution.
The great stone mountain was dozens of miles away, and the answer to his transformation was simple: if Drake became a vampire now, he could only travel at night because of the sun, and he would suffer constant hunger. The smell of blood—even that of animals—would overwhelm him in the beginning.
So Mikael decided to save the vampiric transformation for the right moment, when they reached their destination… though he was genuinely eager to see Drake's hellfire for the first time.