Fate, Chapter 10
It had past some weeks after the last war with the Reinhold Mercenary Brigade. The Fate Army finally established. They had settled down in Randgriõr for these past weeks.
Thanks for Klaus and Ehlen’s great connection; they gain a trading company as their temporary ally in this war to supply the armors for the soldiers. Randgriõr’s location also part of the reason they had convenience trading. It was located on the middle of the sea between the Northern Continent and Southlands with large drenched lands at both front side and backside, which connected the two continents.
Everything had gone smoothly. The soldiers had their own room, and they had started the daily training so they could get ready for the next war. The Queen’s Knights (minus Rudger) and the rest of the nobles sometimes must return to do their works, so Randgriõr often turned so silent.
That’s why Lady Iris must gather more Stars.
Iris had come back from visiting Island Nations Federation by borrowing one Dunan Naval ship as the hermit pointed that some Stars was currently at the islands. As far, they had recruited four Stars: Katarina, Demetrius, Filo, and Sydnee. The four really excited to work here. Katarina, Demetrius, and Filo helped for being buskers, while Sydnee helped training the naval fleet.
“I’m glad the castle grown crowdier now,” said Iris as she walked at the hallway in the third floor of Randgriõr with Rudger.
“Aren’t you supposed to train too, for the next war?” asked the brunette bodyguard.
“Oh please. I've grown stronger from adventuring at Island Nations Federation. Beside, the Harmonians had not made any moves since two weeks ago.”
“Hhh... absolutely...”
The two continued walking around the castle until they arrived in the castle’s yard and saw Sydnee was watching Altus from a far. Iris approached the brunette lady and patted her shoulder from behind.
“Hey there, Sydnee...”
“Whoa! What's wrong? The enemy is attacking?” Sydnee quickly drew his rapier, almost skewered the young Sindar girl if the brunette Queen’s Knight didn’t pull her backwards. “Ooops, I'm sorry, milady. My bad,” she said, regretted.
“Yeah, it’s okay,” replied Iris even she still afraid of the blade. After the older woman sheathed her rapier, she asked, “Why are you looking at Altus from distance like this?”
“Um…I just curious…I was never seen a vampire before.”
“Oh I see…why don’t you trying to look closer at him?”
“Well…he seemed not friendly,” reasoned Sydnee, “Beside…he’s a vampire…”
“He’s not sucking blood if he didn’t meet evil female,” explained Rudger, “But yeah. He’s unfriendly. He said he didn’t want to talk if it’s not about searching for his master.”
“Hmm,” Iris left Sydnee and walked to the brown haired vampire. Altus was currently leaning on the castle’s wall and rather hidden in the shade. He looks like sleeping but when he felt those teens approached him, he opened his eyes.
“Hey, Altus,” greeted Rudger flatly. “Sleeping in daylight?”
Altus didn’t answering. He only stared at both scholar partners and stayed silent. Iris raised an eyebrow. “Is something the matter? Or are you thinking about that Chief you searching for?” she asked innocently.
“That witch refused to tell me where is her whereabouts,” Altus grunted, “She kept saying if I follow you then I’ll eventually met with the Chief, but yet--”
“Lady Iris!”
Fennes was running from the backyard and heading to the castle’s master. That elf gave her a little salute before explaining, “Milady, there was this angry villager heading from north land to here. They bringing torches and swords, but I can’t seem to know the reason.”
Iris looked at her brunette bodyguard and they nodded. “Altus, Fennes, Sydnee, come with me. We’ll confront them and try to find out their will for coming here,” she ordered straightly.
The three Stars nodded. The five then heading to the backyard. If they were villagers, then they must be from near Kanakan. But as far as she knew, Iris never crossed the land nor she heard her Stars from any near place. The five finally arrived at the back entrance and saw a group of villagers heading to the castle.
“Gosh, looks like they really are mad,” Rudger frowned.
When the villagers arrived in the entrance, one of them stepped forward and shouted loudly, “Who’s the one that called as Iris?”
Iris moved forward and smiled nervously. “I am, sire,” she said.
“So, was this rumor about you had a vampire in your army was true?”
“You demand to see me, mortal?” Altus crossed his arms in front of him and stayed expressionless.
“You!” other villager exploding in anger, “You were the one who attack our village and turned half of our villagers into zombies! Explain yourself!”
Iris and the other gasped. They turned their head toward the brunette vampire, who still stayed cool. “You were the one who must explain yourself, mortals. I had no a slightest idea about what you were saying just now,” Altus replied calmly.
“Liar!” yelled the next villager, “We saw you right ahead! You had that calm expression, pale face, and…and…”
“Sepia hair, no?” asked the vampire coldly, “Blue eyes, no? Does the vampire wear black coat? You don’t see anything familiar with me, right?”
“Beside, wasn’t vampire could only turn human into vampire?” Sydnee frowned.
“Yes, I only know that vampire will turn human to vampire, and about zombies, only Neclord who mastered the skill to resurrect zombies,” added Iris firmly.
“W-well…the one we saw exactly a vampire…but I think…the vampire is a female…”
At that, Altus blinked. “Female…? Was she a white haired vampire, with the red blood eyes?” he asked, walked toward the villagers with threatening aura.
“W-well…I guess so…”
“Where did she go?” Altus shouted, “Didn’t you see her went somewhere? Tell me, where she went!”
“Uh, um…Altus...? Altus, calm down,” Iris tugged at the vampire’s black coat.
“Well, if you want to see, why don’t you come to our village, then?” offered a villager from the rear. He quickly received glares from his comrades. “I-I mean, under the tight security from us…yeah,” he quickly added.
“I guess we can…” the young Sindar girl turned to her Stars, “Well?”
“We must ask Lady Rui’s permission first hand,” suggested the violet haired elf politely. Because Iris was not really a great leader just yet, all permission to travel, and such must consulted to Rui. If the tactician allowed the Tenkai girl, then she can go in some time.
“Then let me--”
“Where will you go this time?”
A high-pitched voice cut Sydnee’s words. The brunette tactician was already stood behind them. She walked along with Klaus and Argent. Sydnee and Fennes stepped aside to let them approached Iris and Rudger.
“You really love to travel, aren’t you, Lady Iris?” Rui sighed and shook her head slowly.
“Lady Selena did say that the Stars are spread through out many countries, Lady Rui,” Klaus chuckled from behind, “That meant Lady Iris must travel to many places in order to gather them all under her lead.”
“Please let me go, Rui. Altus finally found a clue about the person he’s searching for,” pleaded Iris with her cutest expression, “Please?”
“Just let her,” suggested Argent, “Maybe she’ll find some Stars while they travel to Kanakan.”
Rui sighed. “Okay. From here to Kanakan require two days, so back forth will be total four days. I will let you go for seven days. Finish the problem in three days.”
“Okay, okay. Thank you, Rui!”
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Today’s party consisted Iris, Rudger, and Altus only. The villagers not allowed any other person to accompany them as they thought if they add more people they might be will harm the village. The Tenkai girl must gave up as they saw it as a safety guarantee act.
First, they travel from the drenched land at the north of the castle and arrived at Northern Continent, Kanakan regional. What made them annoyed is that the villagers refused to help them fight the enemies, which they came across and rather choose to not fight.
After two days walking, they arrived at Kanakan. True, the village was ruined. Some house brunt down and there was only a few villagers left wandering around the village’s small roads. Iris could saw some graveyards built along the roads, maybe for the villagers that had turned into zombies and slain.
“You never came here, right?” asked the brunette Queen’s Knight to the brunette vampire. Altus merely shook his head and stayed expressionless.
“Now, what should we do?” Iris looking around the village, “Altus, had any idea?”
“If the Chief was really here…I suppose to be able to feel her presence, even it was just small traces.”
“Hey!”
A small stone was thrown directly toward Altus. The vampire swiftly lift his long black coat to cover his face and hence the attack undamaged his face. Iris look who was the culprit and it was apparently a small village boy. He was glaring at Altus as angry as his facial expression could make.
“You're filthy demon, you! You turn my Mama and my Papa into zombie!” he cried out “Give back my Mama and my Papa!”
Altus stared back at the boy, made the little guy shuddered a little. Iris could only sigh. Rudger stopped a man who was accompanied them to the village.
“Sir, did you saw from where the vampire or the zombies appearing?” he asked sternly.
“Well…” the villager man rubbed his chin a little, “Hmm…if I’m not wrong, from the west. There was a cave to the underground…so it must be a best way for the vampires to hide.”
“Okaaay…” Iris shrugged, “Let’s explore the cave then.”
“Wait!” the small boy stopped them and pointed straightly at Altus’ face. “He can’t go! How if he resurrecting more zombies there? You must stay here and we’ll watch you over so we can see if you’re not the culprit!”
“Alright, alright,” Altus grumbled. He turned to the blonde girl, “Lady Iris, if by any chance, you happen to meet with a lady with white hair and red eyes…please bring her to me.”
“Of course,” Iris nodded firmly.
Altus smiled a little before he turned into a black bat, which made Iris scared and quickly hid behind her bodyguard. That bat flied toward the tree and slept with the usual upside down position.
“Um, kid, please watch over him,” said the young Sindar girl. The boy only nodded as he walked toward the tree and observed the now-in-bat-mode Altus.
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Iris and Rudger went to the cave at the western side of the town. A cavern goes deep into the underground. Rudger lit a wood with his Fire Rune to make a torch while they went to the deeper part. The monsters inside rather nasty, however, Iris learnt the next level of her Fate Rune because of this. It is called Growth, raising all stats temporary, and has a regen effect.
“Phew, was it still long before we reached the underground?” asked Rudger, rather tired.
Iris shrugged. “We should keep on going…two days left for us to inspect this matter. But…” the blonde girl sighed, “I wonder why the vampire is invading the town. It’s nothing special, nor is it near a large cemetery or such.”
“Point made. Maybe just thirst of blood?”
“I thought I read that the vampires had control their bloodlust since the Chief regained her Moon Rune again fifteen years ago.”
“The Chief…the one that Altus’ mentioned…?”
“Most like—Rudger!” Iris tugged at the brunette’s long ribbon, almost made Rudger yelped with the sudden stop. That girl pointed at a source of light from the deeper parts. “Someone’s there!”
Rudger led over while Iris following from behind. There was truly a person over there. He wore a red cape, so it almost impossible to see his facial expression. The Queen’s Knight Apprentice rolled his emerald eyes toward his ‘master’ and they nodded in agreement. Rudger handed over the torch to Iris and he disappeared. At the next second, he had jumped toward the stranger and swung his sword. Surprisingly, the other man successfully blocked the attack and made the brunette thrown aback.
“Rudger...!” Iris immediately approached her bodyguard. The brunette twitched in pain, but nothing dangerous. When that Sindar girl raised her head to look at the stranger, she noticed that the man had a blood red eyes and short silver hair.
“You are…humans?” asked that man slowly.
“And you’re zombie?” Rudger asked back.
But that man shook his head. “I’m human too…My name’s Ryusei” he pulled down his hood, revealing his face clearer now. “What are you kids doing? It’s a dangerous place.”
“We’re searching from the one whom responsible in making the zombies attack the village nearby,” explained the blonde girl, “From the information we got, the zombies seemed coming from this way, so…well, you got the point.”
“…Village?”
“...A village at the east from this cavern.”
The man folded his arms. For a while, they turned into a deep silent, until the silver haired one gasped and shook his head. “No…no way. I had mistaken,” he muttered, “Then again, a village? Nearby…?” the man looked at Iris sternly and continued, “Say, young lady. Did you bring another companion with you? Maybe elves or the worst is…vampire?”
“Uhm yes, our vampire companion is the one who was accused as the culprit for this incident, so we came here to clear his name. The villagers currently keep watch on him so they could believe it wasn’t his fault…,” explained Iris again.
“Foolish…” the man sighed.
“Hey, what makes you say so?” Rudger crossed his arms in front of him.
“The village nearby at the east…and even bringing vampire as your companion…you really make a big mistake.”
“Yeah, and what do you mean with that?”
“That village…was actually the village of zombies.”
Both teenagers gasped and looked at each other before looked at the man, surprised. That silver haired man continued, “I’m here because when I visit the village to kill their boss, they said the boss was currently out to this place, yet it seems like I was fooled by them.”
“No way…” the owner of a pair of black eyes widened her eyes in fear.
“Those zombies could live only by sacrificing immortal creatures, such as elves, or the best is vampires. As far, they managed to survive by capturing elves…but the elves now learned about the zombies nature, and they decided to not come across the village anymore,” that man folded his arms, “Now they got vampire to be sacrificed. Pretty good...”
“Rudger,” Iris turned to her brunette partner and grabbed his hands, “We need to get back to the village and save Altus!”
“Yeah, but--”
A sudden loud sneeze echoed and then followed by a loud bump. Something was just fallen down to the ground behind the three, and they quickly grabbed their weapon, prepared if that was a monster or something dangerous. However, they were surprised to see three ladies were appeared there.
One of them, the white haired and wore a blue cape grunted as she tried to get up. “Ow…” she moaned, “Viki, you dumb! Can you teleport us more gentle?”
“I'm sorry, Sierra! I was just had this urgent to sneeze…,” replied the woman with long black hair.
“Hhh…” the black caped woman sighed heavily. She sat on the ground and rubbed her temples, when she realized something and turned her head toward the white haired lady next to her. “Chief, Nash is gone.”
“Huh?” the called ‘Chief’ gasped and turned her head, looking at her surroundings in panic before she glared icily at the named Viki. “...Viki! You didn’t teleport Nash with us!”
“Huh? Huh? Oh no...!” Viki widened her eyes in fear. “Oh…what to do...? I’m not sure if I left him or I was made him teleported somewhere…”
As Sierra and Viki panic, the blonde noticed another thing. She looked at Iris, Rudger and the red-cloaked man with her emerald eyes. That pale woman tugged at the Chief and silently pointed at the three confused spectators. The three ladies quickly got up.
“Mortals, excuse me but could you kindly tell us where are we right now?” asked the Chief.
“Deep in an underground cave near Kanakan,” replied Rudger, still in alert. He could tell that the two pale women are quite a strong fighter.
“Oh, I see…” the white haired woman nodded, understand. She turned around to Viki. “Now, Viki...! You must teleport us back to Toran!”
“Wait!” Iris stepped forward, made the three older women looked at her. “Um, my name is Iris Atreides. You two--” she pointed at the Chief and the black coated woman, “—are vampires, right?”
“Why yes, of course we are.”
“Do you know about a vampire named Altus, perchance?”
Sierra lifted an eyebrow and crossed her arms in front of her. She thinking for a while until her follower snapped, “Altus, the half who was born through Dyane relationship with a human man. Felicia reported to me that she wished to bring the newborn baby run from the village soon after that jerk Neclord stole the Rune from you, Chief.”
“Oh that baby?” that white haired woman smiled, “Yes, I remember now. What’s with him? Are you his acquaintance, young mortal?”
Iris nodded. “He wished to meet you, and, if you don’t mind, please help us release him from a danger!”
“What?” the three women raised an eyebrow constantly.
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“Ugh…” Altus desperately tried to open his eyes. Even he was just sleeping on the tree; he felt his stamina evaporated mysteriously. When he finally able to fully open his blue eyes, he had turned to his human mode and was tied into a large cross. He tried to struggle with the chain that belted his hands, but it was useless.
The villagers around him laughed loudly. It was night, and they finally revealed their identity. They were truly zombies, with pale skin and dirt all over their body and scratched clothes. A zombie held a silver sword with him. Altus finally understood his situation. He trapped and will become a sacrifice. He had heard from his former master that there was a zombie village where the inhabitants were kept living by using bless of eternal blood that flows through immortal creatures like elves and vampires. And it seemed, this year their sacrifice will be a vampire.
“Hey, you dumbass vampire,” mocked a zombie kid from afar, “Whaddya think huh? We’re pretty genius even though we’re brainless, eh?”
Altus stayed silent.
“We’re different with the zombies in the north! They’re so stupid; they can't rebel against the order from the one who resurrected them! We’re not like that, we lived by our own, and we will live with the help of your blood!”
Altus was still silent.
“Hey!” the zombie kid got angry, but he smirked wickedly. “Hmph... Whatever! Dad, make him died for good.”
“You don’t need to ask, sonny,” the zombie with silver sword replied.
“Any last wishes, vampire?” asked a zombie from behind him with a mocking tone.
“…I wish you guys beaten and dried into the sunlight,” muttered Altus whispery.
“Okay, you say it. Unfortunately, we can’t dry under the sun light, folly,” laughed another zombie.
Altus stayed silent and closed his eyes, he wished he could sleep more to restore his stamina and kill those zombies, but that cross seems absorbed all his energy.
“Now, prepare to die!”
CLANG!
Altus opened his eyes. It was the sound of metal met metal, so that meant he wasn’t killed just yet. A vampire with long golden hair was stood before him. She managed to fling away the silver sword before it could thrust the male vampire straight into his heart. All zombies widened their eyes in shock.
“Who are you…?” mumbled Altus weakly.
The vampire turned around and slashed the chains that held Altus to the cross, with her rapier made the man fell to the ground. The vampire lady stretched out her hand and helped Altus stood on his own two feet. “Rachel,” she said, “One of the survivors from Blue Moon Villages that happen to not became bloodlust.”
“I see,” muttered Altus, “So, it wasn’t her after all.”
“If you were searching for the Chief, she was over there.”
Altus raised his head and found the zombies that kept guard the village’s entrance was being defeated by Iris, Rudger, the cloaked man, and the Chief. They slain them into two pieces, made the zombies unable to resurrect anymore. They made their way to the podium where the two vampires stood.
“Altus! Are you okay?” asked the Sindar girl, worried. Altus only nodded slowly. His attention was distracted by the appearance of the white haired vampire.
“Chief…” he called out.
Sierra smiled. “Hello. You never met me face to face, but you recognize me, eh?”
“Felicia told me about you…a lot.”
“Oh, I see…” the vampire elders giggled, but then her face showed an alert expression. She turned around, and everyone noticed that the zombies had become furious. “It’s looks like we have no time to chit-chat.”
“Ryusei, I beg your assistance,” said Iris to the red-eyed man. Ryusei was merely nodded and ready with his nodachi.
Rudger started quickly cast an Explosion to every zombies that surrounded them. They all burnt into ashes. Iris and Ryusei then charged forward, killing zombies at the next line. Meanwhile, Sierra signaled her two vampires to help her annihilated a cluster of zombies.
“It’s Hunting Time,” she smirked.
At the next second, both the Chief and Altus disappeared. The next time, they bit the zombies next, drained the rest of those undeads’s life. Rachel though, didn’t join the ‘bloodsucking’ fest; she stayed on the podium with sick expression. After the two vampires satisfied, the blonde vampire charged and slain the zombies nearby.
“Hey,” Altus stood back-to-back with Rachel, “Help me out with this one.”
“No prob,” replied the vampiress.
The full moon suddenly covered with darkness, and everything turned shady. Iris stopped attacking and took defense stance. Rudger protected the lady beside him. Ryusei was just concentrating to sense any zombies’ movements. Sierra, realized what happened, just smiling terrifying at her place.
“...The Dark Moon!”
Just as the moon finally beamed upon the village, almost all zombies were slain into pieces. To be blunt, Altus was using his power to control darkness and covered the moon so there will be no zombies could react when in the deep darkness. Rachel used this moment to kill every zombie in her reach. And thus, they managed to execute almost every zombie in that village.
“Now, run!” shouted Iris loudly.
Everyone nodded. The path to the entrance had been cleared. Viki had waiting over there, ready to teleport everyone to Randgriõr at once. When they arrived, some zombies tried to catch them. However, those zombies were excessively slow, hence Viki finished her cast, and everyone was teleported to the very Sindar’s castle.
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Iris and the others landed on the shallow path that connected the Northern Continent with the castle. Viki cheered as she successfully managed to teleport everyone safely there. The castle’s master high-fived with her bodyguard, celebrated for the ‘mission accomplished’. Ryusei only drew a tiny smile on his lips behind the cloak. Altus was still too nervous that he finally able to meet with the one he had been searching for all this time.
“Chief Sierra,” Altus started, “I…I wish I could serve under you, following you to the journey for rebuild the Village.”
Sierra blinked. “Hmm…I guess you missed some point there, Altus…I didn’t want to rebuild the Village.”
“But why...?”
“Because the Chief afraid that someone might stole the Moon Rune once again,” explained Rachel, “And none wished to die any longer. The Chief also didn’t want to turn humans into vampires anymore.”
“True, Rachel,” the white haired vampire smiled, “Beside…you had your task. I know you had offer your full service for little Sindar girl over there,” she added as she pointed at Iris.
“I can quit serving her…”
“No. A promise that had made between Stars with the Tenkai could never be broken;” Sierra patted her partner’s shoulder gently, “And Rachel here will serve under the lady along with you, Altus.”
The blonde vampire sighed. “I guess it’s really my time now…”
“Um, sorry for the interruptions,” Iris said suddenly, “But…I guess I rather lost...why are you pointing at me and know that I’m a Tenkai?”
Sierra chuckled. “That’s supposed to be a secret, little Iris. The only thing I could say is this: both my followers here, Rachel and Altus, will serve you from now on. Viki there also will aid you. And of course, it’s only until you fulfilled the Trials of Destiny. I presume you know until that far?”
The vampire elder leaned a little after seeing the young mortal girl still rather puzzled. “What I mean is the Stars of Destiny. Both of them are ones who borne under the Stars of Heaven, right?” she whispered on Iris’ ear.
“Oh…yes they are,” the blonde Tenkai nodded.
Sierra smiled and turned to the other vampires. “Now, orders from my mouth still an order. Obey your chief here, Altus, Rachel,” she commanded firmly as she placed her arms on her waist.
“Yes, ma’am,” the two responded reluctantly.
“I guess I should leave for now…your comrade had come to tell you something, Lady Iris,” the white haired vampire winked before turned into a white large bat.
“Oh…Sierra…” Viki started to cry for the farewell. “I will totally miss you…”
“Well, we’ll meet again, I’m sure of that,” the bat lady said as she flapped her wings. “However, I wouldn’t forgive you if you by any chance hurt Nash at the previous event…just prepare for an immediate punishment, Viki.”
“Aw…you’re not so nice…”
Sierra laughed. “Until next time, everyone...”
She was gone to the dark of night. Viki wept away her tears that kept flowing down as she kept overdramatic things. Altus sighed, but refused to say any other words. Rachel only bowed a little before following the sepia haired vampire’s gestures. Ryusei also stayed silent. And that was when Iris and Rudger noticed a light was heading to their way. Yes, it’s none other than the blind hermit Selena.
“Oh Selena...!” Viki blinked and quickly hugged that older Sindar girl as soon as she arrived near the group. “How are you? It’s been awhile since we last met, right? Did you still can’t see anything? Did you ever try to get out of the cave? Where is Gregory? Did you read anything for now?”
“Calm down, Viki…I’m sure the time will come when all of your questions will be answered. Please just be patience, okay?” Selena smiled as she managed to get out of the sudden-strangle. She turned to her master. “Milady…someone had waiting for you…now if you please meet her?”
Thanks for Klaus and Ehlen’s great connection; they gain a trading company as their temporary ally in this war to supply the armors for the soldiers. Randgriõr’s location also part of the reason they had convenience trading. It was located on the middle of the sea between the Northern Continent and Southlands with large drenched lands at both front side and backside, which connected the two continents.
Everything had gone smoothly. The soldiers had their own room, and they had started the daily training so they could get ready for the next war. The Queen’s Knights (minus Rudger) and the rest of the nobles sometimes must return to do their works, so Randgriõr often turned so silent.
That’s why Lady Iris must gather more Stars.
Iris had come back from visiting Island Nations Federation by borrowing one Dunan Naval ship as the hermit pointed that some Stars was currently at the islands. As far, they had recruited four Stars: Katarina, Demetrius, Filo, and Sydnee. The four really excited to work here. Katarina, Demetrius, and Filo helped for being buskers, while Sydnee helped training the naval fleet.
“I’m glad the castle grown crowdier now,” said Iris as she walked at the hallway in the third floor of Randgriõr with Rudger.
“Aren’t you supposed to train too, for the next war?” asked the brunette bodyguard.
“Oh please. I've grown stronger from adventuring at Island Nations Federation. Beside, the Harmonians had not made any moves since two weeks ago.”
“Hhh... absolutely...”
The two continued walking around the castle until they arrived in the castle’s yard and saw Sydnee was watching Altus from a far. Iris approached the brunette lady and patted her shoulder from behind.
“Hey there, Sydnee...”
“Whoa! What's wrong? The enemy is attacking?” Sydnee quickly drew his rapier, almost skewered the young Sindar girl if the brunette Queen’s Knight didn’t pull her backwards. “Ooops, I'm sorry, milady. My bad,” she said, regretted.
“Yeah, it’s okay,” replied Iris even she still afraid of the blade. After the older woman sheathed her rapier, she asked, “Why are you looking at Altus from distance like this?”
“Um…I just curious…I was never seen a vampire before.”
“Oh I see…why don’t you trying to look closer at him?”
“Well…he seemed not friendly,” reasoned Sydnee, “Beside…he’s a vampire…”
“He’s not sucking blood if he didn’t meet evil female,” explained Rudger, “But yeah. He’s unfriendly. He said he didn’t want to talk if it’s not about searching for his master.”
“Hmm,” Iris left Sydnee and walked to the brown haired vampire. Altus was currently leaning on the castle’s wall and rather hidden in the shade. He looks like sleeping but when he felt those teens approached him, he opened his eyes.
“Hey, Altus,” greeted Rudger flatly. “Sleeping in daylight?”
Altus didn’t answering. He only stared at both scholar partners and stayed silent. Iris raised an eyebrow. “Is something the matter? Or are you thinking about that Chief you searching for?” she asked innocently.
“That witch refused to tell me where is her whereabouts,” Altus grunted, “She kept saying if I follow you then I’ll eventually met with the Chief, but yet--”
“Lady Iris!”
Fennes was running from the backyard and heading to the castle’s master. That elf gave her a little salute before explaining, “Milady, there was this angry villager heading from north land to here. They bringing torches and swords, but I can’t seem to know the reason.”
Iris looked at her brunette bodyguard and they nodded. “Altus, Fennes, Sydnee, come with me. We’ll confront them and try to find out their will for coming here,” she ordered straightly.
The three Stars nodded. The five then heading to the backyard. If they were villagers, then they must be from near Kanakan. But as far as she knew, Iris never crossed the land nor she heard her Stars from any near place. The five finally arrived at the back entrance and saw a group of villagers heading to the castle.
“Gosh, looks like they really are mad,” Rudger frowned.
When the villagers arrived in the entrance, one of them stepped forward and shouted loudly, “Who’s the one that called as Iris?”
Iris moved forward and smiled nervously. “I am, sire,” she said.
“So, was this rumor about you had a vampire in your army was true?”
“You demand to see me, mortal?” Altus crossed his arms in front of him and stayed expressionless.
“You!” other villager exploding in anger, “You were the one who attack our village and turned half of our villagers into zombies! Explain yourself!”
Iris and the other gasped. They turned their head toward the brunette vampire, who still stayed cool. “You were the one who must explain yourself, mortals. I had no a slightest idea about what you were saying just now,” Altus replied calmly.
“Liar!” yelled the next villager, “We saw you right ahead! You had that calm expression, pale face, and…and…”
“Sepia hair, no?” asked the vampire coldly, “Blue eyes, no? Does the vampire wear black coat? You don’t see anything familiar with me, right?”
“Beside, wasn’t vampire could only turn human into vampire?” Sydnee frowned.
“Yes, I only know that vampire will turn human to vampire, and about zombies, only Neclord who mastered the skill to resurrect zombies,” added Iris firmly.
“W-well…the one we saw exactly a vampire…but I think…the vampire is a female…”
At that, Altus blinked. “Female…? Was she a white haired vampire, with the red blood eyes?” he asked, walked toward the villagers with threatening aura.
“W-well…I guess so…”
“Where did she go?” Altus shouted, “Didn’t you see her went somewhere? Tell me, where she went!”
“Uh, um…Altus...? Altus, calm down,” Iris tugged at the vampire’s black coat.
“Well, if you want to see, why don’t you come to our village, then?” offered a villager from the rear. He quickly received glares from his comrades. “I-I mean, under the tight security from us…yeah,” he quickly added.
“I guess we can…” the young Sindar girl turned to her Stars, “Well?”
“We must ask Lady Rui’s permission first hand,” suggested the violet haired elf politely. Because Iris was not really a great leader just yet, all permission to travel, and such must consulted to Rui. If the tactician allowed the Tenkai girl, then she can go in some time.
“Then let me--”
“Where will you go this time?”
A high-pitched voice cut Sydnee’s words. The brunette tactician was already stood behind them. She walked along with Klaus and Argent. Sydnee and Fennes stepped aside to let them approached Iris and Rudger.
“You really love to travel, aren’t you, Lady Iris?” Rui sighed and shook her head slowly.
“Lady Selena did say that the Stars are spread through out many countries, Lady Rui,” Klaus chuckled from behind, “That meant Lady Iris must travel to many places in order to gather them all under her lead.”
“Please let me go, Rui. Altus finally found a clue about the person he’s searching for,” pleaded Iris with her cutest expression, “Please?”
“Just let her,” suggested Argent, “Maybe she’ll find some Stars while they travel to Kanakan.”
Rui sighed. “Okay. From here to Kanakan require two days, so back forth will be total four days. I will let you go for seven days. Finish the problem in three days.”
“Okay, okay. Thank you, Rui!”
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Today’s party consisted Iris, Rudger, and Altus only. The villagers not allowed any other person to accompany them as they thought if they add more people they might be will harm the village. The Tenkai girl must gave up as they saw it as a safety guarantee act.
First, they travel from the drenched land at the north of the castle and arrived at Northern Continent, Kanakan regional. What made them annoyed is that the villagers refused to help them fight the enemies, which they came across and rather choose to not fight.
After two days walking, they arrived at Kanakan. True, the village was ruined. Some house brunt down and there was only a few villagers left wandering around the village’s small roads. Iris could saw some graveyards built along the roads, maybe for the villagers that had turned into zombies and slain.
“You never came here, right?” asked the brunette Queen’s Knight to the brunette vampire. Altus merely shook his head and stayed expressionless.
“Now, what should we do?” Iris looking around the village, “Altus, had any idea?”
“If the Chief was really here…I suppose to be able to feel her presence, even it was just small traces.”
“Hey!”
A small stone was thrown directly toward Altus. The vampire swiftly lift his long black coat to cover his face and hence the attack undamaged his face. Iris look who was the culprit and it was apparently a small village boy. He was glaring at Altus as angry as his facial expression could make.
“You're filthy demon, you! You turn my Mama and my Papa into zombie!” he cried out “Give back my Mama and my Papa!”
Altus stared back at the boy, made the little guy shuddered a little. Iris could only sigh. Rudger stopped a man who was accompanied them to the village.
“Sir, did you saw from where the vampire or the zombies appearing?” he asked sternly.
“Well…” the villager man rubbed his chin a little, “Hmm…if I’m not wrong, from the west. There was a cave to the underground…so it must be a best way for the vampires to hide.”
“Okaaay…” Iris shrugged, “Let’s explore the cave then.”
“Wait!” the small boy stopped them and pointed straightly at Altus’ face. “He can’t go! How if he resurrecting more zombies there? You must stay here and we’ll watch you over so we can see if you’re not the culprit!”
“Alright, alright,” Altus grumbled. He turned to the blonde girl, “Lady Iris, if by any chance, you happen to meet with a lady with white hair and red eyes…please bring her to me.”
“Of course,” Iris nodded firmly.
Altus smiled a little before he turned into a black bat, which made Iris scared and quickly hid behind her bodyguard. That bat flied toward the tree and slept with the usual upside down position.
“Um, kid, please watch over him,” said the young Sindar girl. The boy only nodded as he walked toward the tree and observed the now-in-bat-mode Altus.
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Iris and Rudger went to the cave at the western side of the town. A cavern goes deep into the underground. Rudger lit a wood with his Fire Rune to make a torch while they went to the deeper part. The monsters inside rather nasty, however, Iris learnt the next level of her Fate Rune because of this. It is called Growth, raising all stats temporary, and has a regen effect.
“Phew, was it still long before we reached the underground?” asked Rudger, rather tired.
Iris shrugged. “We should keep on going…two days left for us to inspect this matter. But…” the blonde girl sighed, “I wonder why the vampire is invading the town. It’s nothing special, nor is it near a large cemetery or such.”
“Point made. Maybe just thirst of blood?”
“I thought I read that the vampires had control their bloodlust since the Chief regained her Moon Rune again fifteen years ago.”
“The Chief…the one that Altus’ mentioned…?”
“Most like—Rudger!” Iris tugged at the brunette’s long ribbon, almost made Rudger yelped with the sudden stop. That girl pointed at a source of light from the deeper parts. “Someone’s there!”
Rudger led over while Iris following from behind. There was truly a person over there. He wore a red cape, so it almost impossible to see his facial expression. The Queen’s Knight Apprentice rolled his emerald eyes toward his ‘master’ and they nodded in agreement. Rudger handed over the torch to Iris and he disappeared. At the next second, he had jumped toward the stranger and swung his sword. Surprisingly, the other man successfully blocked the attack and made the brunette thrown aback.
“Rudger...!” Iris immediately approached her bodyguard. The brunette twitched in pain, but nothing dangerous. When that Sindar girl raised her head to look at the stranger, she noticed that the man had a blood red eyes and short silver hair.
“You are…humans?” asked that man slowly.
“And you’re zombie?” Rudger asked back.
But that man shook his head. “I’m human too…My name’s Ryusei” he pulled down his hood, revealing his face clearer now. “What are you kids doing? It’s a dangerous place.”
“We’re searching from the one whom responsible in making the zombies attack the village nearby,” explained the blonde girl, “From the information we got, the zombies seemed coming from this way, so…well, you got the point.”
“…Village?”
“...A village at the east from this cavern.”
The man folded his arms. For a while, they turned into a deep silent, until the silver haired one gasped and shook his head. “No…no way. I had mistaken,” he muttered, “Then again, a village? Nearby…?” the man looked at Iris sternly and continued, “Say, young lady. Did you bring another companion with you? Maybe elves or the worst is…vampire?”
“Uhm yes, our vampire companion is the one who was accused as the culprit for this incident, so we came here to clear his name. The villagers currently keep watch on him so they could believe it wasn’t his fault…,” explained Iris again.
“Foolish…” the man sighed.
“Hey, what makes you say so?” Rudger crossed his arms in front of him.
“The village nearby at the east…and even bringing vampire as your companion…you really make a big mistake.”
“Yeah, and what do you mean with that?”
“That village…was actually the village of zombies.”
Both teenagers gasped and looked at each other before looked at the man, surprised. That silver haired man continued, “I’m here because when I visit the village to kill their boss, they said the boss was currently out to this place, yet it seems like I was fooled by them.”
“No way…” the owner of a pair of black eyes widened her eyes in fear.
“Those zombies could live only by sacrificing immortal creatures, such as elves, or the best is vampires. As far, they managed to survive by capturing elves…but the elves now learned about the zombies nature, and they decided to not come across the village anymore,” that man folded his arms, “Now they got vampire to be sacrificed. Pretty good...”
“Rudger,” Iris turned to her brunette partner and grabbed his hands, “We need to get back to the village and save Altus!”
“Yeah, but--”
A sudden loud sneeze echoed and then followed by a loud bump. Something was just fallen down to the ground behind the three, and they quickly grabbed their weapon, prepared if that was a monster or something dangerous. However, they were surprised to see three ladies were appeared there.
One of them, the white haired and wore a blue cape grunted as she tried to get up. “Ow…” she moaned, “Viki, you dumb! Can you teleport us more gentle?”
“I'm sorry, Sierra! I was just had this urgent to sneeze…,” replied the woman with long black hair.
“Hhh…” the black caped woman sighed heavily. She sat on the ground and rubbed her temples, when she realized something and turned her head toward the white haired lady next to her. “Chief, Nash is gone.”
“Huh?” the called ‘Chief’ gasped and turned her head, looking at her surroundings in panic before she glared icily at the named Viki. “...Viki! You didn’t teleport Nash with us!”
“Huh? Huh? Oh no...!” Viki widened her eyes in fear. “Oh…what to do...? I’m not sure if I left him or I was made him teleported somewhere…”
As Sierra and Viki panic, the blonde noticed another thing. She looked at Iris, Rudger and the red-cloaked man with her emerald eyes. That pale woman tugged at the Chief and silently pointed at the three confused spectators. The three ladies quickly got up.
“Mortals, excuse me but could you kindly tell us where are we right now?” asked the Chief.
“Deep in an underground cave near Kanakan,” replied Rudger, still in alert. He could tell that the two pale women are quite a strong fighter.
“Oh, I see…” the white haired woman nodded, understand. She turned around to Viki. “Now, Viki...! You must teleport us back to Toran!”
“Wait!” Iris stepped forward, made the three older women looked at her. “Um, my name is Iris Atreides. You two--” she pointed at the Chief and the black coated woman, “—are vampires, right?”
“Why yes, of course we are.”
“Do you know about a vampire named Altus, perchance?”
Sierra lifted an eyebrow and crossed her arms in front of her. She thinking for a while until her follower snapped, “Altus, the half who was born through Dyane relationship with a human man. Felicia reported to me that she wished to bring the newborn baby run from the village soon after that jerk Neclord stole the Rune from you, Chief.”
“Oh that baby?” that white haired woman smiled, “Yes, I remember now. What’s with him? Are you his acquaintance, young mortal?”
Iris nodded. “He wished to meet you, and, if you don’t mind, please help us release him from a danger!”
“What?” the three women raised an eyebrow constantly.
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“Ugh…” Altus desperately tried to open his eyes. Even he was just sleeping on the tree; he felt his stamina evaporated mysteriously. When he finally able to fully open his blue eyes, he had turned to his human mode and was tied into a large cross. He tried to struggle with the chain that belted his hands, but it was useless.
The villagers around him laughed loudly. It was night, and they finally revealed their identity. They were truly zombies, with pale skin and dirt all over their body and scratched clothes. A zombie held a silver sword with him. Altus finally understood his situation. He trapped and will become a sacrifice. He had heard from his former master that there was a zombie village where the inhabitants were kept living by using bless of eternal blood that flows through immortal creatures like elves and vampires. And it seemed, this year their sacrifice will be a vampire.
“Hey, you dumbass vampire,” mocked a zombie kid from afar, “Whaddya think huh? We’re pretty genius even though we’re brainless, eh?”
Altus stayed silent.
“We’re different with the zombies in the north! They’re so stupid; they can't rebel against the order from the one who resurrected them! We’re not like that, we lived by our own, and we will live with the help of your blood!”
Altus was still silent.
“Hey!” the zombie kid got angry, but he smirked wickedly. “Hmph... Whatever! Dad, make him died for good.”
“You don’t need to ask, sonny,” the zombie with silver sword replied.
“Any last wishes, vampire?” asked a zombie from behind him with a mocking tone.
“…I wish you guys beaten and dried into the sunlight,” muttered Altus whispery.
“Okay, you say it. Unfortunately, we can’t dry under the sun light, folly,” laughed another zombie.
Altus stayed silent and closed his eyes, he wished he could sleep more to restore his stamina and kill those zombies, but that cross seems absorbed all his energy.
“Now, prepare to die!”
CLANG!
Altus opened his eyes. It was the sound of metal met metal, so that meant he wasn’t killed just yet. A vampire with long golden hair was stood before him. She managed to fling away the silver sword before it could thrust the male vampire straight into his heart. All zombies widened their eyes in shock.
“Who are you…?” mumbled Altus weakly.
The vampire turned around and slashed the chains that held Altus to the cross, with her rapier made the man fell to the ground. The vampire lady stretched out her hand and helped Altus stood on his own two feet. “Rachel,” she said, “One of the survivors from Blue Moon Villages that happen to not became bloodlust.”
“I see,” muttered Altus, “So, it wasn’t her after all.”
“If you were searching for the Chief, she was over there.”
Altus raised his head and found the zombies that kept guard the village’s entrance was being defeated by Iris, Rudger, the cloaked man, and the Chief. They slain them into two pieces, made the zombies unable to resurrect anymore. They made their way to the podium where the two vampires stood.
“Altus! Are you okay?” asked the Sindar girl, worried. Altus only nodded slowly. His attention was distracted by the appearance of the white haired vampire.
“Chief…” he called out.
Sierra smiled. “Hello. You never met me face to face, but you recognize me, eh?”
“Felicia told me about you…a lot.”
“Oh, I see…” the vampire elders giggled, but then her face showed an alert expression. She turned around, and everyone noticed that the zombies had become furious. “It’s looks like we have no time to chit-chat.”
“Ryusei, I beg your assistance,” said Iris to the red-eyed man. Ryusei was merely nodded and ready with his nodachi.
Rudger started quickly cast an Explosion to every zombies that surrounded them. They all burnt into ashes. Iris and Ryusei then charged forward, killing zombies at the next line. Meanwhile, Sierra signaled her two vampires to help her annihilated a cluster of zombies.
“It’s Hunting Time,” she smirked.
At the next second, both the Chief and Altus disappeared. The next time, they bit the zombies next, drained the rest of those undeads’s life. Rachel though, didn’t join the ‘bloodsucking’ fest; she stayed on the podium with sick expression. After the two vampires satisfied, the blonde vampire charged and slain the zombies nearby.
“Hey,” Altus stood back-to-back with Rachel, “Help me out with this one.”
“No prob,” replied the vampiress.
The full moon suddenly covered with darkness, and everything turned shady. Iris stopped attacking and took defense stance. Rudger protected the lady beside him. Ryusei was just concentrating to sense any zombies’ movements. Sierra, realized what happened, just smiling terrifying at her place.
“...The Dark Moon!”
Just as the moon finally beamed upon the village, almost all zombies were slain into pieces. To be blunt, Altus was using his power to control darkness and covered the moon so there will be no zombies could react when in the deep darkness. Rachel used this moment to kill every zombie in her reach. And thus, they managed to execute almost every zombie in that village.
“Now, run!” shouted Iris loudly.
Everyone nodded. The path to the entrance had been cleared. Viki had waiting over there, ready to teleport everyone to Randgriõr at once. When they arrived, some zombies tried to catch them. However, those zombies were excessively slow, hence Viki finished her cast, and everyone was teleported to the very Sindar’s castle.
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Iris and the others landed on the shallow path that connected the Northern Continent with the castle. Viki cheered as she successfully managed to teleport everyone safely there. The castle’s master high-fived with her bodyguard, celebrated for the ‘mission accomplished’. Ryusei only drew a tiny smile on his lips behind the cloak. Altus was still too nervous that he finally able to meet with the one he had been searching for all this time.
“Chief Sierra,” Altus started, “I…I wish I could serve under you, following you to the journey for rebuild the Village.”
Sierra blinked. “Hmm…I guess you missed some point there, Altus…I didn’t want to rebuild the Village.”
“But why...?”
“Because the Chief afraid that someone might stole the Moon Rune once again,” explained Rachel, “And none wished to die any longer. The Chief also didn’t want to turn humans into vampires anymore.”
“True, Rachel,” the white haired vampire smiled, “Beside…you had your task. I know you had offer your full service for little Sindar girl over there,” she added as she pointed at Iris.
“I can quit serving her…”
“No. A promise that had made between Stars with the Tenkai could never be broken;” Sierra patted her partner’s shoulder gently, “And Rachel here will serve under the lady along with you, Altus.”
The blonde vampire sighed. “I guess it’s really my time now…”
“Um, sorry for the interruptions,” Iris said suddenly, “But…I guess I rather lost...why are you pointing at me and know that I’m a Tenkai?”
Sierra chuckled. “That’s supposed to be a secret, little Iris. The only thing I could say is this: both my followers here, Rachel and Altus, will serve you from now on. Viki there also will aid you. And of course, it’s only until you fulfilled the Trials of Destiny. I presume you know until that far?”
The vampire elder leaned a little after seeing the young mortal girl still rather puzzled. “What I mean is the Stars of Destiny. Both of them are ones who borne under the Stars of Heaven, right?” she whispered on Iris’ ear.
“Oh…yes they are,” the blonde Tenkai nodded.
Sierra smiled and turned to the other vampires. “Now, orders from my mouth still an order. Obey your chief here, Altus, Rachel,” she commanded firmly as she placed her arms on her waist.
“Yes, ma’am,” the two responded reluctantly.
“I guess I should leave for now…your comrade had come to tell you something, Lady Iris,” the white haired vampire winked before turned into a white large bat.
“Oh…Sierra…” Viki started to cry for the farewell. “I will totally miss you…”
“Well, we’ll meet again, I’m sure of that,” the bat lady said as she flapped her wings. “However, I wouldn’t forgive you if you by any chance hurt Nash at the previous event…just prepare for an immediate punishment, Viki.”
“Aw…you’re not so nice…”
Sierra laughed. “Until next time, everyone...”
She was gone to the dark of night. Viki wept away her tears that kept flowing down as she kept overdramatic things. Altus sighed, but refused to say any other words. Rachel only bowed a little before following the sepia haired vampire’s gestures. Ryusei also stayed silent. And that was when Iris and Rudger noticed a light was heading to their way. Yes, it’s none other than the blind hermit Selena.
“Oh Selena...!” Viki blinked and quickly hugged that older Sindar girl as soon as she arrived near the group. “How are you? It’s been awhile since we last met, right? Did you still can’t see anything? Did you ever try to get out of the cave? Where is Gregory? Did you read anything for now?”
“Calm down, Viki…I’m sure the time will come when all of your questions will be answered. Please just be patience, okay?” Selena smiled as she managed to get out of the sudden-strangle. She turned to her master. “Milady…someone had waiting for you…now if you please meet her?”
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