Good evening

Two hundred years had passed since the eternal night began. Freed from the threat of the sun and with their rivals—the weakened Jinrou after having their moonlight stolen—the Shedo finally emerged from their icy slumber and invaded the world, unleashing the bloodiest war humanity had ever faced, one that could not be won by human strength alone. Ignoring the warnings of their ancestors, the heirs of the mystical arts broke the seals containing the ancient arcane forces, resurrecting magic. With this power, they shifted the balance of the conflict in their favor, driving their enemies back, who, as in old times, took refuge in the shadow realm, silently waiting for the chance to rise again.

Humanity set about rebuilding civilization. Yet the curse that plunged the world into perpetual darkness had not disappeared and would not do so until the last of the Shedo were exterminated. Despite their exile, they would not remain idle for long; it was only a matter of time before they began creeping back into our world. Renouncing magic seemed absurd, despite the protests of the Jinrou, who warned that keeping such unnatural forces awake for too long endangered the balance of the cosmos. It was too late to stop the birth of a new era of sorcery.

To hunt and eradicate the Shedo ones from the face of the Earth, the Helios organization was formed, composed of the most powerful masters of combat-oriented mystical arts and the strongest Jinrou, who were granted the title of Night Knights.

10/26/2221, 11:34 PM

Heros had established a base in each of Japan’s 47 prefectures, all operating under the command of headquarters in Tokyo.

In charge of the Shibuya district, Squadron 3, led by Shirotsuki Gin, patrolled the streets as a mandatory curfew was enforced throughout the district—a precautionary measure due to recent vampire sightings.

The absence of the usual bustle, especially at the crossing, and the echo of their footsteps bouncing between buildings, unnerved the young Sei Akiko, a newcomer to the team and its youngest member.

Alert to her surroundings and keeping a watchful eye over her shoulder, the novice brushed her fingers against the hilt of her katana, ready to strike at the first vampire she saw. The rest of the team appeared more relaxed, almost carefree, as if out for a stroll rather than on patrol. Akiko could not understand it. Her experience in Kyoto had taught her that, regardless of strength, skill, or power, a Night Knight should always remain alert. She had seen overconfident warriors perish by underestimating danger.

“It looks like it’ll be another quiet shift, and I’m grateful,” Nichihara Sun said, resting his head on his crossed arms atop his shoulders, a satisfied smile on his face.

“Fool! Don’t tempt bad luck!” Miyamoto Nori scolded, glancing nervously over his shoulder and sideways, fearing karma might strike for his companion’s audacity.

“You shouldn’t be happy about not earning your pay,” Akiko commented. “Lazy superior.”

“Leave her alone, Akiko,” Gi Kaito interjected. “It’s only because you’re young and a novice that you can say such foolish things.”

“That’s true,” Sun agreed. “And I’m still tired from the fight at the blood bank.”

“Oh really?” Akiko tilted her head, a playful, defiant smile on her face. “Then why don’t you sit on your spear if you’re so tired?”

“I still have enough energy to smash your face, girl,” he said, swiftly pointing the tip of his spear just inches from Akiko’s neck.

“Hey idiots, stop now!” Shirotsuki Gin ordered.

Her voice didn’t rise; it sounded more like a mild complaint. Still, Sun’s reaction was immediate and obedient, assuming a firm, military stance.

“Yes, Captain!”

Sun looked at his teammate disapprovingly, silently urging her to do the same. Akiko, still a novice, did not fully understand the team dynamics but followed the subtle hint.

“Yes, Captain!”

“Save that aggression for the Shedo,” Gin said, staring at Sun as he trembled while she approached. “The novice isn’t entirely wrong.” She placed one hand on his shoulder while stroking his cheek with the other. “You shouldn’t rejoice over a lack of action. Every shift where we fail to take the life of at least one of those pests is a failure for humanity. You want to see the stars as much as I do, don’t you, Sunny?”

“B-but… what can we do if they don’t open a rift?”

“You had to ask?” Kaito groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead.

“Good question,” Gin said, pinching Sun's nose playfully. “We’ll create one.”

The novice looked at her teammates, confused, as they swallowed hard and began to sweat.

“Captain, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Nori warned.

“It was a failure last time, I acknowledge that and take full responsibility. But this time, I am more than ready,” Gin said.

Sun leaned toward Akiko’s ear and whispered something.

“That look on her face is never a good sign,” she thought.

Akiko had heard rumors about the leader of Squadron 3—problematic behavior, high turnover—but she herself had just joined yesterday. Most other members had been in the squad for only two weeks, yet many bore scars and fresh bruises suggesting otherwise.

Gin led the team to Dodenzaka Street.

“Captain, this is where the last vampire sighting was reported, right?” Akiko asked.

“Correct. That means traces of a spacetime tear remain. For any dark magic practitioner, it’s the perfect place for a summoning.”

“So that’s the plan?” Kaito asked. “We’ll stage a ritual to lure the vampires?”

“Bingo!”

“The perfect bait,” Gin boasted. “A couple of fools trying to make a pact with the Shedo end up as their dinner.”

“Captain,” Akiko raised her hand like a student, a gesture everyone found endearing.

“Yes, Akiko?”

“So far, they’ve only been scavenging for rats. If they wanted humans, they would’ve done it already.”

“Assuming they haven’t, yesterday there were two disappearances—a girl and a boy. General Natori suggested evacuating Shibuya and staging a raid, but that would only scare off the vampires. So a curfew was imposed, and we were sent to patrol.”

“But nothing guarantees they haven’t already left.”

“The Vitagia required to traverse Underskin is too great. With only a few humans and some rats, they can’t return to the shadow realm. They’re trapped in Shibuya by the outer barrier,” Gin explained. “Hunger will soon overwhelm them. They’ll unleash a massacre if we don’t act—hence my brilliant plan.” She winked. “They’ll need more to eat, and I’ll serve them a feast on a silver platter. And when they come out, we’ll reduce them to ashes.”

“You forgot to mention to the novice that General Natori doesn’t know your plan,” Kaito said.

“What?!”

“She wouldn’t approve. Besides, as long as we kill the vampires, everything will be fine. No need for her to scold us.”

“This trap is obvious. Vampires aren’t stupid.” Kaito argued

“Any creature becomes stupid when consumed by hunger.” Gin replied

“The captain is right,” Sun said. “Let’s trust her intuition.”

“Thanks for the support, Sunny,” Gin said, ruffling his hair like an older sister—humiliating to him, though he seemed to like it.

“Also, if something goes wrong, there’s always a Plan B.”

“Plan B?” Akiko asked.

“Which she won’t tell us,” Nori sighed.

“What? Why?”

“Vampires can read everyone’s minds,” Gin clarified. “But not mine.”

“Really? Because of magic?”

“Don’t you know?” Nori asked.

“Clearly not,” Sun said.

“Focus your Vitagia on her eyes,” Kaito instructed.

Akiko did as told and discovered the silver colossus within her captain’s aura.

“You’re a Jinrou!”

“Not just any Jinrou, novice,” Sun declared. “From the most powerful, pure-blooded lineage alive today. Haven’t you heard of the Shirotsuki clan?”

“Well, I…” Akiko’s cheeks reddened. She hated appearing ignorant.

“Relax, I’m not surprised. After all…” Gin’s gaze darkened. “Eternal night ended my lineage’s ancient glory, but I… will restore it.”

Gin’s phone rang. The captain left the team to answer it.

“Hey, Sunny—what am I missing? Why is everyone so wary of the captain?”

“First, call me that again and I’ll decapitate you. Second… you won’t be the only novice here very soon.”

“I’ve heard the rumors, but if they were true, why hasn’t she been fired or arrested?”

“The captain is a loose bullet who gets results. She kills more Shedo than humans—that’s why Heros keeps her.”

“Well, I’m strong; it won’t be easy to kill me.”

“Unless you’re Thronos-class, nothing guarantees survival under the command of the lone wolf.”

Sun pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one between his lips, and fumbled through his jacket for a lighter—he’d forgotten it. Seeing him struggle, Akiko brought her hand close to the cigarette tip and snapped her fingers; a tiny spark jumped and the cigarette flared to life.

“Thanks. Dragon’s breath?”

“No—basic explosive magic from Merlin’s scrolls.”

“Really? You controlled a small, contained reaction? You’re good.”

“I know,” she said, smug. “… Sunny.”

Before a fight could break out between them, the captain returned.

“All right, everyone—attention!”

They gathered around Gin, who looked unusually worried.

“Problem. I hired trolls to make clay golems shaped like humans to act as bait, but the damned things ran off with the money—so now… we’ll be the bait.”

“Captain! Never pay trolls up front!” someone snapped.

“Well, now I know! Okay?! Anyway— I need three volunteers. Who’s in?”

Akiko was about to raise her hand when Sun gripped her arm.

“Novice—think it through. You can’t carry your katana; vampires will sense its sacred essence. You’ll have to dampen your Vitagia so they don’t detect you as a witch. You’ll be defenseless, and those monsters will take a couple of seconds to drain you dry.”

“As long as the ambush team does their job, I don’t worry.”

“Exactly. If she wants the risk, it’s her choice—don’t stop her.” Gin’s tone brooked no argument.

“As you say, Captain.” Sun let go. “Don’t regret it if you die.”

“Dead people can’t regret anyway—so what will you do?”

“I’ll try to save you,” Sun replied.

“I suppose I am lost,” she sighed theatrically.

“Go to hell!”

Squadron 3 set to work preparing the staged summoning. Gin had booked a hotel room in advance—the same room where the previous night’s occupant had reported seeing something on the balcony drinking a bird’s blood, leaving the bird’s dried corpse behind. Sun drew an invocation circle on the floor with fay ash and, using advanced weaving magic, prepared three ceremonial robes covered in blood-cult symbols imported from France.

Akiko, Nori, and Kaito struggled to memorize the cursed litany in the Black Tongue; some pronunciations seemed physically impossible. By the time Akiko studied defense against malignant forces, the Japanese government had already banned studying dark tongues after the Sons of Shinigami attacks, so she’d had to learn most of what she knew on her own. Her teammates noticed her distress and helped; embarrassed though she was, she accepted.

Minutes before midnight—the Nexus point—Gin ordered positions. Around the circle, the three baiters readied themselves to intone the cursed words while Gin and Sun masked their presence beneath some English camouflage mantles, erasing traces of their magic and the aura of their sacred weapons. Tension hung heavy; one slip would be fatal.

Akiko checked her phone; four zeros blinked on the screen. Nodding, she signaled Kaito to open the gene-gate. He drew the ceremonial knife, stepped forward, chanted the first verses, then took her wrist and made a small cut on her index finger.

In the ritual, Akiko was the High Witch—she had to invite the entity with a sample of her essence. Gin had chosen her, noting that her essence was the least “pure” of the three. Akiko joined the chant and stepped to the center, letting a drop of blood fall on the bat-shaped vampire sigil.

The moment the blood touched the symbol, the floor trembled, the air thickened, and a stench of rot flooded the room. Nori intoned the final stanzas. The tremors halted and an uneasy silence fell, as if the world itself had been muted. Each caster felt a powerful thirst for blood drawing near.

Suddenly the circle emitted a green light. The baiters had been warned to move when that happened, and they did—backing until they hit the wall facing the balcony as the circle flared brighter.

A viscous purple substance seeped from the vampire sigil, spreading across the circle and forming three globs that began to make strange noises—a mix of growls and laughter. The masses split and took on humanoid contours. The substance solidified into three grotesque figures Akiko had only seen in grim illustrations: eyeless, mouthless, skin the blue of the hung, elongated limbs, a hunched torso with vertebrae jutting out. No doubt—they were Canus, a breed of vampire.

There was no point in bargaining; their thirst was vast and the monsters’ only thought was to devour the hooded figures. Then something unexpected happened.

“Good evening.”

A voice came from one of the vampires—male, distinctly human in tone.

“What?!” everyone blurted.

The vampire laughed uncontrollably and began to claw at itself; the laughter rose as it scratched harder until it tore its own flesh. Black claws burst from its fingertips and, with those claws, it gutted itself—ripping open its belly to the throat and spilling entrails across the floor.

Squadron 3 froze in horror.

The dead vampire collapsed. The other two showed no reaction; the five squad members fought the urge to vomit. The entrails writhed, and something beneath them began to move—something alive, something that could speak.

“What a relief. Finally I can stretch a little.”

A figure rose, dripping with the vampire’s pink blood: a pale man with black hair, naked, and across his chest a tattoo any student of vampire lore would recognize—the red moon, the crest of the Dracula family.