Chapter 2: The Arrival

October 5

In a world inhabited by monsters, anyone might imagine that life was a constant state of chaos, a land ruled by nightmares and bloodthirsty creatures.

However, reality was quite different.

Although humans and monsters had not always lived in harmony, an order existed that allowed the inhabitants of this world to coexist and lead lives that were as comfortable and safe as possible.

Those responsible for maintaining this order were the rulers of each species.

Yet, among them, there were certain figures who stood above the rest.

The Vampire Families

Five ancient vampire families governed and administered Nosfera, the vampire kingdom.

Each possessed considerable influence within vampire society, and together, they were responsible for maintaining the balance within the kingdom.

The Werewolf Pack

A vast community of werewolves inhabited the Black Prairies.

They all answered to their Alpha, who was considered the pack's supreme leader and was responsible for maintaining order among its members.

The Mummy Kingdom

In the lands of Ammyx, the kingdom of sand and mysticism, the Pharaoh and his Queen ruled alongside their children.

Their ancient kingdom stretched across vast desert territories and was surrounded by mysteries that had endured for generations.

The Witches' Coven

The witches formed such a large community that, over the years, they eventually established their own country.

They lived in the Dark Forest, a place where magic seemed to be part of nature itself.

Their highest authority was the High Witch, who had the final say in matters concerning her people.

The Zombie Horde

The living dead also had a territory of their own.

In Diplas, a place where the soil was particularly suitable for burying bodies, zombies lived alongside the living.

The horde consisted not only of zombies but also of sorcerers and shamans.

Their leader was known simply as “The Brain.”

However, that title did not mean he was the smartest of them all.

He was called that because he was the most important figure in the entire horde.

The Guardians of the Night

Finally, there was an organization dedicated to protecting humanity.

They were known as the Guardians of the Night.

Their purpose was to ensure that monsters did not abuse their power or treat humans as nothing more than helpless victims.

The Guardians were led by the Von Harker family, a family devoted to hunting, capturing, investigating, and, when necessary, eliminating monsters that tormented or preyed upon humans.

The family was governed by a Family Council.

Although the Von Harkers did not directly govern the human city of Arcax, they played a fundamental role in its protection and helped maintain the safety of its inhabitants.

Every two years, all these factions gathered to discuss important matters concerning the world.

Normally, only the leaders of each group attended these meetings.

However, this time would be different.

On this occasion, a special event had been organized.

Several of the leaders' younger children had begun to awaken their abilities.

It was a new generation.

A new bloodline.

And to demonstrate the potential these young individuals possessed, a celebration had been arranged.

A party where the new generation would have the opportunity to display their powers before some of the most important figures in the world.

It was five o'clock in the afternoon when Lamia finished getting ready at the Dearg Due mansion. She wore a beautiful, bright red dress with white details that complemented her childlike figure. Her silky hair had been carefully styled thanks to the efforts of Mila and her mother.

The little girl stood at the entrance of the mansion, accompanied by Mila, who wore her impeccably clean and neatly pressed maid uniform. They were both waiting for the rest of the family so they could leave for the celebration.

While waiting, Lamia began looking around. Something caught her attention: there were fewer servants than usual.

“Mila, why are there fewer people here today?” she asked curiously.

“That is because only half of the servants stayed at the mansion. The other half was sent to the celebration venue to coordinate with the staff from the other families and prepare everything that will be needed.”

“Ooohhh!” the little girl exclaimed, understanding the explanation.

This was part of the tradition surrounding grand celebrations. Each noble house sent a group of servants in advance to coordinate the preparations, attend to their masters' needs, and ensure that the venue was in the best possible condition.

In the Dearg Dues' case, half of their staff had departed early that morning to assist with the preparations and ensure the venue would be as comfortable and safe as possible for their guests.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from inside the mansion.

Lamia turned and saw her siblings approaching.

The first to catch her attention was Napol, who wore a scarlet suit with black trim and golden clasps. The combination enhanced his elegant bearing and gave him a particularly distinguished appearance.

Walking beside him was Diana, dressed in a gold-and-black gown that made her look like a genuine princess. Her curly hair was gathered into a low ponytail, a hairstyle that perfectly complemented her elegant outfit.

The twins, Alexander and Teodora, had also finished getting ready. Both wore outfits in shades of silver and navy blue. Alexander wore a formal suit, while Teodora sported a matching dress. Her hair was styled into two medium-length ponytails that gave her a charming appearance.

As soon as Diana spotted Lamia, her eyes lit up.

“My dear Lamia!”

Without giving her a chance to react, she scooped her up into her arms and began showering her face with kisses.

“I'm so nervous! You're going to introduce yourself in front of so many people, and I can't help worrying about you! How about letting your wonderful big sister take care of you throughout the entire celebration?”

Lamia looked at her with an expression that made it quite clear just how much she was exaggerating.

“Thank you, sis, but I have to prove that I'm a Dearg Due.”

Hearing those words, Diana hugged her even tighter, her face overflowing with pride.

“Laaamíííaaa!”

The little girl barely had time to sigh before her older brother intervened to rescue her.

Napol carefully took Lamia from Diana, kissed her forehead, and set her back on the floor. He then began straightening her dress and fixing her hair, trying to restore the flawless appearance she had possessed moments earlier.

“Be more careful, Diana. Just look at her! She was perfectly dressed, and you almost managed to mess everything up.”

“And what's wrong with that? Even if she wore pajamas, she'd still be perfect!”

Napol covered his face with one hand, visibly exhausted.

Apparently, even his patience was not enough to prepare him for arguing with his sister.

While the two continued their endless bickering, Alexander and Teodora took the opportunity to approach Lamia and pinch her cheeks.

“Don't listen to them. Just relax. Everything will be fine,” Alexander assured her with a smile.

“Besides, with such a cute face, you'll surely be the center of attention!” Teodora added, gently squeezing her cheeks.

Lamia tried to pull away, but soon realized there was no escape.

Fortunately, Mila came to the rescue.

With a swift movement, she gave each twin a light tap on the head, forcing them to release the little girl. She then took out a damp handkerchief and gently wiped Lamia's reddened cheeks.

“Please stop bothering Miss Lamia,” she scolded them.

The twins held their heads while Lamia looked at her savior with profound gratitude.

Before long, more footsteps could be heard.

This time, Valentin, Natalia, and Catalina appeared, their presence seemingly transforming the entire atmosphere. All three radiated the elegance and authority befitting nobility.

Valentin wore a white ceremonial uniform adorned with blood-red details and golden embroidery. His high-collared jacket was decorated with delicate gold thread across the chest and shoulders. A red belt accompanied by golden chains accentuated his waist, while a long white overskirt with golden trim fell over his matching trousers. Black boots decorated with golden accents completed the ensemble.

His attire was impeccable: distinguished, majestic, and worthy of the head of one of the world's most powerful vampire houses.

Natalia and Catalina, meanwhile, wore formal gowns with sweetheart necklines and fitted corsets that accentuated their elegant figures. Both dresses left their shoulders bare and featured long, sheer chiffon sleeves fitted along the arms. Silver embroidery adorned the hems, while their voluminous skirts, made from several layers of fabric, included a side slit that allowed them to walk comfortably without sacrificing elegance.

Natalia's gown was a light purple, almost lavender. Her straight, perfectly styled hair framed her face with the refined elegance of a true matriarch.

Catalina, on the other hand, had chosen a dark pink dress bordering on fuchsia. Her long hair was gathered into a high, voluminous ponytail, with a few loose strands framing her face.

Her hairstyle was far from conservative. It had a wild, untamed quality, full of volume, like a mane that refused to be subdued. A simple black ribbon completed the look.

With everyone gathered, the Dearg Due family was finally ready to depart.

Valentin looked at his children with pride and cast an affectionate glance at his wives. Finally, he approached Lamia and kissed the top of her head.

“Are you ready, my princess?”

“Of course!”

Valentin smiled at her enthusiasm.

“Members of the Dearg Due house, prepare to depart!”

“YES!” they all answered in unison.

The family left the mansion and found a carriage waiting outside the entrance. Its body was a brilliant brown, decorated with silver details that stood out against the polished wood.

Several large horses stood before the vehicle, their coats black and their eyes red like glowing embers.

One by one, the family members climbed into the carriage. Mila, however, took the front seat beside the coachman.

Once everyone was settled, the horses began pulling the vehicle, and the journey commenced.

As they traveled through the city, numerous residents came out onto the streets to bid the family farewell. Some greeted them enthusiastically, while others bowed their heads respectfully in their presence.

The crowd consisted of more than just vampires. Humans, werewolves, mummies, and other creatures who shared this society could also be seen among them.

In Cryptas, monsters were not forced to live separately according to their species. Each individual was free to choose where to make their home, provided they respected the laws and customs of the place they decided to live in.

For that reason, such a diverse crowd was nothing unusual. It was simply part of everyday life in this world.

After approximately an hour of travel, the carriage reached its first destination: a building with peculiar architecture, crowned by an enormous glass dome that could be seen even from the outside.

The family stepped down from the carriage and entered the building. After passing through several corridors, they reached a room that resembled a small ballroom.

However, Lamia immediately realized that the place was far too small to accommodate a celebration of such magnitude.

She looked around in confusion before turning toward her parents.

“Is the party going to be here? But it's so small!”

Natalia smiled tenderly at her question.

“This will be your first time traveling this way, dear. So pay close attention.”

Lamia frowned slightly, not entirely understanding what her mother meant.

Then something unexpected happened.

A table slowly emerged from the floor. On top of it appeared an unsettling-looking skull. Unlike ordinary skulls, this one was not white but completely black.

Valentin approached the object, and as soon as he stood before it, the skull began to speak.

“Identify yourself.”

“Valentin Dearg Due.”

“How many travelers?”

“Nine.”

“Destination.”

Valentin answered without hesitation.

“The Other Side.”

“Access phrase required to proceed.”

The patriarch turned toward his children, who were observing the strange object with varying degrees of curiosity.

“This is a wandering skull. A means of transportation that allows you to travel anywhere in the world. However, it can only be used if you know the access phrase exclusive to a noble family.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“Every member of our family who is here will learn this phrase. You must not share it with anyone outside the family, except in an emergency. Understood?”

“Yes!” his children answered.

Valentin then turned toward Mila.

“Mila, I need you to cover your ears and close your eyes.”

“Understood, my lord.”

The maid obeyed immediately, covering her ears and squeezing her eyes shut.

Once he was certain she was ready, Valentin looked back at the skull and spoke firmly.

“The access phrase is… Blood for the world!”

“Granted,” the skull replied.

The object's eyes began emitting an intense white light. Its jaw slowly opened, and a thick black mist began pouring from inside its mouth, spreading throughout the room.

Within seconds, the fog enveloped everyone.

Lamia felt anxiety and astonishment wash over her. Without thinking twice, she grabbed her mother's hand tightly while her siblings gathered around her to protect her.

Then everything went dark.

For a moment, there was nothing but darkness.

Lamia could not see anything. She did not know whether they were still in that room or if something had gone wrong.

But little by little, the darkness began to fade.

The black mist started retreating, as though an invisible force were drawing it back into the skull. As it disappeared, the room gradually came back into view.

When the last cloud of smoke vanished, the skull closed its jaw and spoke once more.

“We have arrived at our destination. Good luck.”

The table slowly sank into the floor until it disappeared completely.

Lamia blinked several times, still bewildered.

“Have we arrived already?”

Valentin smiled, lifted her into his arms, and settled her on his shoulders.

“That's right, my princess.”

With the little girl on his shoulders, the family began leaving the room.

However, the moment they stepped into the corridor, Lamia noticed that something had changed.

The building no longer looked the same.

The lighting was different, and when she approached one of the glass windows, she discovered that the sky was completely dark.

There was no trace of the sunset they had left behind.

Lamia looked around, trying to understand what had happened. Finally, she turned toward her father, who was walking calmly alongside the rest of the family.

Valentin stopped in front of the exit.

Mila stepped forward to open the door.

Before crossing the threshold, the patriarch turned toward his daughter and smiled.

“Lamia, my dear… welcome to the Other Side.”

The door opened.

And then Lamia saw it.

They were no longer in Zipal or Nosfera.

Before her eyes stretched an impossible landscape, shrouded in darkness that seemed to have no end. There was no solid ground beneath their feet, but enormous fragments of land floating in the void, forming islands suspended in the middle of nothingness.

Along the path, strange-looking trees cast a faint glow that barely pierced the darkness. Their branches stretched toward the dark sky, while their roots clung to the edges of the floating islands.

Lamia tried to follow the path stretching before them until something caught her attention completely.

In the distance stood a gigantic structure.

It was a Gothic castle with imposing towers, sharp spires, and walls decorated in red and white. Its silhouette dominated the entire landscape, as though it had been built to reign over this world of darkness.

It was even larger than the Dearg Due mansion itself.

Lamia's eyes widened.

“What is that, Daddy?”

Valentin smiled as he gazed at the majestic building.

“We call it the Castle of Frights.”

He paused briefly before adding with a satisfied expression:

“And that is where the party is about to begin.”

The End.