On the move

“Hey, the sooner you wake the hell up, the better for all of us!” Hanz growled, shaking Shu furiously. A full day had passed since he’d slaughtered the Ox King, and the group had taken refuge in a small inn on the outskirts of Pata Village.

“Trust me,” Tobi said as he packed their things, “you’re wasting your time. He only wakes up when he’s good and ready.”

“We’re screwed,” Hanz snapped. “There has to be something we can do!”

Without warning, he hoisted Shu onto his back and leapt through the open window.

Tobi and Hannah looked at each other, stunned. After a beat of hesitation, they followed him, jumping out the same window into the cool evening air.

Once they were a good distance from Pata, Tobi stopped to catch his breath. “Can someone please explain why we’re running?”

“You’re joking, right?” Hanz replied, eyes wide with disbelief. “You can’t sense that massive dark Kantar coming straight for us?”

“Don’t blame him,” Hannah said calmly. “He hasn’t fully learned how to manipulate his own Kantar, so there’s no way he can sense others yet.”

She turned toward the horizon, her expression tightening. “Judging by how dark and chilling that Kantar is… I’m guessing it’s Dracula. If I were still a Celestial, he’d be easy pickings.”

“Well, you’re not a Celestial anymore,” Hanz said grimly. “Which means we’re all screwed… unless some miracle saves us.”

Inwardly, Hanz cursed. Damn you, Marcel. Dracula will catch up soon. I have to hold him off long enough for the others to escape.

Without warning, he dropped Shu to the ground and turned to the others. “Take him and run. I don’t know if I’m strong enough, but I’ll buy you as much time as I can.”

He turned to Hannah. “There’s a faint Kantar presence southwest of here. Go there. The person you find will help further Shu’s training. He’ll be safe.”

“You’re insane,” Tobi said. “If this Dracula guy is as strong as you say, you’ll be killed!”

“Don’t worry about me,” Hanz said with a smirk. “I’ve got a plan.”

Hannah studied him for a second, eyes narrowing in realization. Now I understand… so you’re from that time.

“We’ll meet you in the southwest,” she said. Then, grabbing Tobi and Shu, she vanished in a flash of light.

Left alone, Hanz chuckled to himself. “She peeked into my mind… figures. She is the woman who raised me, after all.”

He turned his gaze back toward Pata.

A figure appeared in the distance—flying toward him with terrifying speed.

He had long dark hair, pale white skin, a strong and chiseled face, and glowing red eyes.

Dracula.

Knowing exactly what needed to be done, Hanz summoned a massive Kantar missile and fired. It blasted Dracula out of the sky in a burst of light and energy.

But the moment the dust settled, Dracula stood back up—completely unharmed. In a blink, he appeared right in front of Hanz.

He studied him with eerie calm. “So… you’re here too. I saw your brother not long ago. He’s the one who summoned me. So tell me—what are you all doing in this time?”

Hanz smirked. “Skip the small talk. Let’s get to the action.”

He summoned his sword—it rose from the earth, gleaming with power.

Dracula’s grin widened. “Still the same as the first time I met you. Just know… this time, I won’t be sparing your life.”

“I’m not planning on keeping you alive either,” Hanz shot back.

And then, they clashed.

Their battle had begun.