THE AWAKENING OF A VAMPIRE

After the defeat of Dracula, Shu carried his fallen friends and teleported them back to the mage’s home so they could be healed. The mage, who had been meditating in the forest, felt their kantar as Shu appeared in his house and rushed to their aid.

“I’m glad this was the only damage done,” the mage said grimly as he began to channel his kantar into Hannah and Hanz’s bodies. As far as he was concerned, what had happened was actually the best-case scenario.

“There’s more,” Shu said as he gently laid Tobi down. “I don’t know if it means anything, but before Dracula died, he bit into Tobi’s ankle.”

The mage froze for a moment, his face paling. Then he composed himself and spoke in a low, grave tone.

“Boy… I’m sorry, but that is terribly bad news. If he was bitten immediately before Dracula died, then that bite was a safe ticket—Dracula’s way of ensuring he could return to the world of the living.”

Shu’s eyes widened. The mage continued.

“To create a vampire, Dracula must bite a living or dead person, passing fragments of his DNA and kantar into the host through his blood. When he bites, his fangs cut his gums, causing blood to drip into the wound. The more kantar he transfers, the more powerful the vampire. The more blood he gives… the higher the chance the host can serve as a vessel for reincarnation.

“I believe your friend over there was turned using the second method. If it had been mostly kantar, Tobi might have been able to control the vampire side. But Dracula was dying—he needed a vessel, and he chose your friend. Soon, Tobi will begin to lose himself, taking on Dracula’s persona, his battle instincts… even his physical form.”

Shu felt his chest tighten. “Is there any way to stop it?”

“You have two options,” the mage replied solemnly. “We can kill him now… or you can journey to the Plebian civilizations. There’s an ancient mystical object called the Eraser. With it, I could remove all traces of Dracula’s kantar and DNA from his body.”

Shu clenched his fists. He already knew which choice he would make. “How long until he fully turns?”

“If we’re talking about vampirization alone, it’s already too late. He is a vampire. But as for becoming Dracula… that will take more time,” the mage said, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. “About one month for Dracula’s consciousness to upload into his brain. Then, another three months for him to begin fighting back against Tobi’s own consciousness. During that stage, he’ll suffer blackouts—episodes where Dracula takes temporary control. After another month, his personality and physical structure will start mutating. By then, Dracula will have fully returned.”

“So, five months total,” Shu said, a flicker of hope in his voice. “That’s more than enough time to find the cure.”

The mage, as if reading Shu’s thoughts, spoke more sternly. “Do not get comfortable. If Tobi experiences physical or emotional stress, the process will accelerate drastically.”

Shu swallowed hard, the weight of the responsibility settling on his shoulders. His best friend’s fate was now in his hands. If he succeeded, Tobi would live a normal life. But if he failed… Tobi would die.

An hour later, Hannah and Hanz finally woke up, feeling refreshed and completely healed. The only reminders of their battle were their memories—and a massive boost in kantar from their near-death experiences.

They looked around, quickly realizing they were in the mage’s house.

“What happened?” Hanz asked, scratching his head. “The last thing I remember was fighting that kaiju… then boom, I’m here.”

“Same here,” Hannah said, frowning. “I remember losing to Dracula.”

“Don’t worry too much. I brought you guys back after I killed him,” Shu said, offering a smile to mask the storm of worry inside him.

Hannah smirked. “That’s amazing. So, mission accomplished, huh? Guess we can go back to moving at our normal pace.”

The smile on Shu’s face vanished.

“I wish,” he said quietly. “Before Dracula died, he bit Tobi. If we don’t find the Eraser in the Plebian civilizations, Dracula will use Tobi as a vessel for reincarnation.”

“What did you say?!” Hanz and Hannah exclaimed in unison.

“Where is he?” Hannah demanded.

“He hasn’t woken up yet,” Shu replied, his voice low. “The old man said it’s part of the vampirization process. Apparently, his body is adjusting—reconstructing itself. That can only happen while he’s asleep.”

Shu led them down a narrow corridor into the basement. The air grew colder the deeper they went, the stone walls lit only by flickering candles. At the far end was a room. Tobi lay inside on a simple mat, his skin pale, his once-chubby frame becoming leaner and more defined—stronger, but eerily unfamiliar.

A tear slipped from Shu’s eye. Hannah saw it and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“This isn’t your fault,” she said softly. “Dracula is the one responsible. Besides… we still have time to fix this. We’ll start our new mission tomorrow.”

Shu turned and embraced her tightly. “Thanks, Mum… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

The next day arrived quickly.

Before the sun had risen, Shu and the others were fully prepared for their journey. They left Tobi—still unconscious—in the care of the mage, and departed using the maps he had given them as a guide.

A new mission had begun.