Festival

Takada came to, with his eyes suddenly forcing open.

“What the?!”

He shot forward gasping for air. As he looked around, he realized he was in his room back at the mansion.

“What happened?” he muttered.

My head’s spinning… I thought I was dead…

He wiped his forehead with arm, wiping away the cold sweat. The light in his room wasn’t on, so the moonlight streamed in, leaving an ethereal glow.

Damn…

“Just how late is it?”

He pulled off his blanket and got out of bed. His clothes were neatly folded and resting on his chair.

“What am I still doing here? I need to get out there… I’m supposed to be patrolling.”

After getting dressed, Takada stepped out into the winding hallway. The red rug, wooden floors, the lamps on the walls—everything was as should be.

Seems like no one is here.

“Well, I’d better get to it.”

He walked to the stairs and descended them. The mansion was dark, and the only sounds came from his echoing footsteps.

Boom!!

“What was that?!”

After hearing the explosion, Takada ran to the front doors and opened them. When he stepped outside, he merely saw sparks falling from the sky.

“Are those… Fireworks?”

Seriously? What a southern thing to do…

He watched as another shot into the air, whistling on its way up.

Boom!!

It exploded into a beautiful green flower shape. Upon the sparks' descent, his eyes followed, watching them fall down to the earth.

“I wonder if they put up the lanterns yet…” he whispered. “Man, they must be having a good time.”

Looking out from the hill the mansion rested on, he was able to look down at the brightly lit village. It was about half as lit up and illuminated as Yoshida City was, but with a reddish hue.

I’m the worst.

“I don’t deserve to join them,” he said, walking away. “I hope Ms. Tsukiyuki is doing alright.”

He locked the doors to the mansion and began walking around the property. It took him over ten minutes to make his rounds, but when he finished, he stopped to watch one more firework.

Boom!!

This one resembled a blue snowflake before it faded away.

I’m going to miss him…

Suddenly, he heard the sound of glass shattering—only, it was followed by rippling. He frantically looked around and saw the sky doing exactly in the direction of the cemetery.

Wasting no time, he ran there as fast as he could.

When he arrived a minute later, he shoved the large gates open and entered the graveyard. Takada looked around, searching for any immediate threats before he started running.

I’ve got to get to the back!

“That’s where the barrier ends! I sense a powerful presence from there!”

Once he found the source of the disturbance, he glared and took a stance.

“Who are you?” he asked.

A man strolled casually towards him with his hands in his pockets. Behind him was a visible fissure in the invisible barrier.

He wore a dark pair of sunglasses and his hair was long—all the way down to his shoulders. He was dressed in southern wear, decked out in a full suit with a tie, and his hair was white.

The man continued walking then stopped. “The name’s Feavor. And just who might you be, Psycho Hunter?”

Takada’s expression hardened even more.

Just who is this guy?

“The fact that you’re here obviously means you’re a vampire. Am I correct?”

Feavor laughed. “Yeah, you got that right. So, you got a name, kid?”

Takada unsheathed his sword and gripped it tightly.

“I don’t exchange names with spectral apparitions,” he stated flatly. “Also, you are trespassing. I’ll have to ask you to leave before I exorcise you.”

Feavor’s eyes began to glow a bright red and he adjusted his tie. “Is that right, little man? Let’s see what you got!!”

“Manifest Pathos: Winter Katana!”

A frozen blade of ice formed in Takada’s right hand, giving him a second sword.

“A dual wielder, huh? Well this’ll be interesting!” Feavor exclaimed. “Manifest Pathos: Blood Gauntlets!”

Blood seeped out of the pores in the vampire’s hands and formed into a pair of gloves. He pounded his fists together and started running at the Psycho Hunter.

“Hope you’re ready, cuz it’s time to die!!”

Time to take him out.

The two dashed at each other, both preparing a strike.

Shnk!!

Takada’s swords sank into the vampire’s left arm, and Feavor pulled his right fist back.

“You’re wide open!!”

His fist cut through the air, straight for Takada’s ribs.

Damn it!

There wasn’t time to dodge the blow—all the hunter could do was turn into it.

When the blow struck, it hit his stomach and he went flying.

Boom!!

He bounced a few times upon landing, and didn’t get up.

I can’t even think straight… I’m tired of getting my butt kicked.

Slowly, Takada climbed to his feet and wiped the blood from his nose and mouth. He realized he’d thrown his swords and was now empty handed.

“Manifest Pathos: Winter Staff,” he said through grit teeth.

A frozen pole of ice formed from the air into his hands.

Feavor lunged and closed the distance between them instantly. As he threw one punch after another, Takada dodged each one. Occasionally, he’d parry an attack or two, maintaining his distance.

He’s a brawler… Can’t let him get close.

The vampire threw a left punch. Then a right. This time there were four uppercuts.

He’s fast!!

Takada took a half step back.

He then flicked the pole up, hitting the monster in the jaw. Saliva flew from its mouth, some landing on Takada’s face.

He flipped the staff around and hit him on the head.

“Let’s put an end to this. I’ve had enough combat for one day.”

Grinning, the vampire shot his head back up. “Is that all you got?”

Takada slowly backed away and began twirling his staff.

This guy’s dangerous. He’s the strongest vampire I’ve faced so far.

“Tell me something, you monster. Why are you here?” he asked.

Feavor shot him a look of confusion.

“You’re stopping our fight to ask me that? Come on…”

Takada sighed.

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll just have to beat the answer out of you.”

The vampire taunted him, motioning for him to come closer.

“Is that so? Then come at me!!”

Both of their eyes began to glow as they took their stances—

—And Feavor dashed ahead, launching a barrage of punches.

His staff clashed with Feavor’s fists repeatedly, chipping away at the ice with each strike.

I can’t let up even for a moment!

As soon as he saw each attack, he adjusted the angle of his staff, just barely blocking each hit. Despite his careful movements, he just wasn’t able to keep up. The vampire got even faster than before.

“Flash Fist!!”

Here it comes!

He positioned the staff and braced for impact.

Crack!!

Feavor’s fist began to glow as it shot right through the staff and—

Bam!!

—made contact with his face.

Upon impact, it detonated.

Boom!!

Takada’s mind went blank. His eyes stung. His ears were ringing. All of his senses went numb.

Even breathing was intense labor, as his lunges burned.

“Ungh...”

What was that?

Badum!

Badum!

As his hearing slowly returned, the first he heard was his heartbeat. The second was the vampire laughing.

“Hahaha!! Bet you didn’t think I could do that, huh?”

“...”

He still couldn’t tell where he was. It took everything he had to open his eyes. When he did, all he could tell was that they weren’t near the edge of the graveyard anymore.

“Rise and shine little boy! I’m not quite done with you yet!”

I can’t… I can’t move…

His eyes closed and he felt as if his consciousness was slipping away. The last thing he heard was, “Since you won’t get up, I’ll just need to find Saiken’s grave myself.”

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

What do you think will happen to Takada?

If you have any thoughts, theories, or feedback, I'd love to hear them in the comments!