Chapter 18 — A journey's start

The sun hung high and was painfully bright for a day that felt wrong from the start. Food and supplies had finally reached them. Packs were tightened, weapons were checked, and the march resumed toward the Death God's castle. Three more months were all that remained.

​Arin walked ahead of the group faster than usual.

​"Move," he urged while glancing back. "We're wasting time."

​Before anyone could answer the air twisted. A presence dropped behind him which was heavy and suffocating. Blue armor gleamed like polished sapphire as veins of crimson white light ran across its surface. In the monster's hand rested a massive axe with an edge that was humming with restrained violence.

​"Arin—get away!" Byukoten shouted.

​It was too late. The figure stepped forward with a voice that was calm, ancient, and absolute.

​"I am Shiyeko Nufokreta," it said. "The last pureblooded vampire. Emperor of my kind."

​In a blink the axe moved. Arin felt the world snap sideways as he was hurled through a crumbling building while stone exploded around him. He hit the ground hard as breath was torn from his lungs.

​"Arin!" Hanase ran to him with her hands already glowing as she dropped to her knees.

​Byukoten turned sharply. "Neblaheim. Protect her."

​Neblaheim hesitated. "Then what about you?"

​Byukoten smiled. He was not wide or confident but just steady.

​"Don't worry. I won't die here."

​Another presence landed. Shetako stepped out of the shadows with his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.

​Shiyeko tilted his head slightly. "Ah. You arrived at the perfect time. Watch closely. You may learn something."

​Shetako lunged but his kick never landed. Shiyeko caught his leg effortlessly and spun while hurling Shetako straight into Byukoten.

​"Do not interfere," Shiyeko said calmly. "If you do, you will die as well."

​Byukoten didn't answer. He stepped forward and punched. Shiyeko caught his arm. Shetako appeared behind Shiyeko in the same instant and drove a kick into his back. The emperor slid forward while his boots carved lines through stone and then he straightened as if nothing had happened.

​He vanished then reappeared behind them. Byukoten was kicked hard and sent skidding across the ground. Shetako swung but Shiyeko caught his arm then twisted and slammed him down with crushing force. Byukoten rushed back in and struck again. Elbow met fist and the impact thundered.

​Shetako hooked Shiyeko's leg which wrenched his balance just enough. Byukoten capitalized by driving a kick into Shiyeko's side but the emperor caught his arm mid motion and brought his foot down. Shetako screamed as the stomp cracked the ground beneath him.

​Byukoten grabbed him and leapt back.

​"Every vampire in your lineage a bastard like you?" Byukoten spat.

​Shiyeko's eyes flickered. "Focus on the fight."

​Byukoten threw Shetako. Shiyeko blocked with his elbow then twisted to counter and Byukoten came down from above with his foot crashing into Shiyeko's shoulder. Shiyeko seized his leg and hurled him away.

​Shetako struck next with his fist smashing into Shiyeko's face which sent him flying. Byukoten followed by launching him skyward with a brutal kick. Shetako leapt after him as flames burst from his fist while he drove an inferno enhanced punch into Shiyeko midair.

​For a moment it looked like it worked. Then Shiyeko appeared. His fist buried itself into Shetako's chest and sent him crashing into a wall. He turned and stood in front of Byukoten.