The Vampire Queen's System

The Vampires

“Is everyone ready?” Deithard, a man with graying hair asked.

Even in the darkness of night, one could see a kind of sorrow in his face through the glow of moonlight. Evident in his sunken red eyes and the long scar that stretches from his right eyebrow to his left cheek. Part of it being hidden by his graying beard that stretches from the side of his ears down to his chin.

With him are four others. All of them wearing black cloaks which hid their faces and their clothes. They stand on top of a watchtower. With the body of a dead guard lying at the side. They have already taken care of all the guards on the left wall of the Citadel. Giving them the short pause they need before continuing with the operation. Giving Deithard enough time to check the disposition of his allies.

“If by ‘ready’ you mean impaling a couple of Helsings...then yes, I’m ready.” A younger and beefier man commented. Making everyone else give him a questioning look.

“I’m kidding.” The man added. Raising his hands beside his chest.

“We don’t have time for jokes Adrian.” Deithard said. “The target is supposed to be at the topmost floor of the Citadel. We’ve come this far and, I’m not going to allow the efforts and sacrifices of our fallen comrades to be in vain because of some personal vendettas.”

“Calm down old man. I’m just messing around. Plus, it’s not only your allies who are working to make the distraction we need you know.” Adrian added. “So you should at least cut me some slack old man.”

Deithard didn’t make any further comments. After all, what Adrian said is true. His forces, along with the forces backing up the ones who joined in the raid of the Citadel; a lot of lives have been sacrificed for the glimmer of hope that they are holding on to.

“But we’re probably going to die. You do know that…right Deithard?” A woman said. Her luscious crimson hair being hidden behind her cloak.

“If we’re going to acquire Dracula’s Seed, then I don’t care what happens to us anymore Hex.” Deithard mentioned. “Our lives will be noble sacrifices for the cause. Now, what is your answer?”

“For darkness.” Seth, a black-haired teen said. Placing his hand on his chest as the veterans with him chuckled while following the teens action.

“For blood and freedom.”

Cold wind began blowing stronger – forcing the clouds to cover the moon as, the red eyes of the five vampires gleamed in the darkness. Nodding to each other as they turned to shadows of the night, activating their Blood Curse.

The operation needed to be quick and precise. And for this to happen, the five vampires avoided as many of the normal soldiers that they could. All in an attempt to brush away the Helsings who would surely come out once they feel any vampiric energy.

Hence, that is exactly what they did. With Hex spreading a thin mist of blood around her companions, they have remained undetected by the Blood Hounds and the sensors of the guards. This is aided by Seth’s illusions. Covering the five and allowing them to blend with the surroundings as, the vampires leapt in the dead of night.

Normal humans say that vampires can fly but, that cannot be further from the truth. Just like everyone else from their race, the five simply had superior bodies. Giving them a hundred times of a human’s normal capabilities which, makes a simple leap look like flying.

But nobody saw them that night of course. Both Hex and Seth’s spells are impeccable. Making them seemingly vanish into thin air as, they finally got off the walls and towards a Citadel window.

There was no instruction needed. Seth was the one who made the next step – throwing a rope made of blood and making it latch on the cobblestoned surface of the wall. He then pulled on this; drawing the blood back to his body as his fingers dug through the wall’s surface. He then created four strings which tied to the bodies of his allies. All of them getting pulled by it as they grabbed on to the wall themselves.

“I gotta admit, you learn quickly kid.” Adrian commented.

“I learn from the best.”

“Aweee...”

“Not you Adrian.” Seth commented, knowing that the self-centered bruiser of the team would think of himself. “I got it from Zei.”  He added. Mentioning the fifth member of the group who chuckled at the declaration.

“Well, I gotta show mister rookie here how it’s done then.” Zei mentioned as he positioned himself in front of the window and began deconstructing the runes placed around it.

With Citadel housing Dracula’s Seed, there were defenses after defenses set up. Hence every opening of the Citadel has one of these. A barrier which prevents vampires from entering without permission. But even this can be countered by a vampire knowledgeable in runes – one of these being Zei who, began his work. Using his blood curse to own the runes placed on the window.

Everyone could see a light coming from the runes which finally appeared. There is a white glow to these and, as all of the runes came out, the vampires finally saw the physical manifestation of  the barrier. Seemingly made from thin glass and places right in front of the window. Shielding the Citadel from the vampires…but not for long.

“Licht ver sez.” As Zei casted this, the runes on the barrier began changing color. Getting a hue of crimson as Zei took control of these one by one. Until he finally got a hold of all the runes, shattering the barrier and allowing the vampires entry into the Citadel.

They found themselves in the middle of a normal looking room. There were no guards nor any Helsings around. Nevertheless, Hex maintained her blood mist and, Seth did the same with his illusion.

“Anything?” Deithard asked.

“Three soldiers...one of them is definitely a Helsing.” Hex said, using another Blood Curse in order to see heat signatures nearby. “They are the ones guarding the topmost floor and...inside...”

“Is the Seed there?” Deithard asked.

“I’m not sure. But there’s definitely a safe that’s preventing my Blood Curse from accessing it.”

“That’s all I need to know.”

The five vampires continued their move. Without making any sound and, without making their presence felt. Normally this shouldn’t be possible but, because of the preparations they made, they have gained access to the most secure anti-vampire facility in the whole of Luminous. And as they neared the topmost floor, Deithard and Adrian finally did their part.

These two suddenly ran faster than the rest of the group. There were a couple of sounds which followed this. A muffled scream. The sound of sharp claws piercing through armor. A short resistance made by a Helsing which, would be a cause for alarm if it wasn’t for the fact that the strongest vampire, Deithard, was leading that charge.

By the time that the other three have reached the floor, the humans have already been taken care of. Their bodies placed at the side of the room as Zei did his work once again. Touching the runes around the door as he began claiming them with his blood curse.

Meanwhile, Seth simply looked at the body of the poor Helsing. It wasn’t supposed to be that easy to finish off one of these. Normally, one Helsing is stronger than a common vampire. That is why the teen got even more impressed by the man who is called the uncrowned king of the vampires – Deithard Clement.

“Alright, we’re in.” Zei said, opening the door as his allies entered one by one.

The five vampires found themselves in a properly lit room. With lamps sticking to the walls, revealing the round structure surrounded by cobblestones and steel. Making the area even sturdier than the regular rooms within Citadel.

The group didn’t focus on these details however. All their eyes were set on the thing in the middle of the room. Surrounded by a circular rune pattern and, held by a steel vault placed on the ground, is none other than the object of all their efforts and sacrifices. Dracula’s Seed.

“How long will it take you to shatter the runes?” Deithard asked.

“With Seth assisting me? This shouldn’t take more than ten minutes.” Zei said.

“Okay. We’ll guard the perimeter while you work.”

“Roger that.” Zei said as he and Seth began taking over the runes.

One by one, the colors of the runes began changing into crimson red. Everything was going according to their plan. It was so perfect in fact that, Seth couldn’t help but feel a certain restlessness from it all.

“Hey, focus on your work kid.” Zei ordered, seeing the distracted state of his partner.

“Right. Sorry about that.” Was all that Seth could say as his mind focused on his work.

Eight minutes passed and, most of the runes have already turned to the control of the vampires. With this much being done, the vault in the middle has finally began opening. Letting out a kind of chill which penetrated even the cold-blooded vampires as, a crimson glow shone from below it. Revealing a small part of Dracula’s Seed.

“There it is.” Deithard mentioned in astonishment and, almost in disbelief.

“So that’s the thing that would save us huh. I guess it really lives up to its fame.” Hex said in reply.

“This won’t take long guys. Just a few more minutes and we’d be done.” Zei said. Exciting everyone in that room but, this is when trouble finally began.

With the presence of Dracula’s Seed being brought out, the Helsings have begun making their move. There was no way to contain such a massive amount of Vampiric Energy and so, Deithard, Hex, and Adrian all prepared for battle as they felt the bloodlust of these humans closing in.

However, the enemy was actually closer than they thought. With all of the runes finally being controlled, Seth saw a scheming grin being drawn on Zei’s lips. And even before he could understand the true horror that this brought, stakes of blood pierced through the other vampires.