by Arantes
Strong Arm laughed, “No I’m just a traveler, how about you?”
“I’m one of the locals now you can say,” said Albedo. “Are you a Pureblood or a vampire?” He could have used the Elder and find out, but he didn’t want to rely on it too much.
“Who me? I’m just a vampire kid, nothing more.”
“So tell me, what brings you out here?”
“Oh…just business kid, had to go see an old friend you can say.”
“Where are you originally from?”
“I come from a small country that used to prosper a long time ago.”
Their food arrived and Albedo wasted no time digging in. The blood had been seasoned perfectly, making the duck even more delicious. It was so delicious that Albedo ordered seconds, then thirds and fourths. Albedo had an appetite that he himself didn’t understand; he could have eaten more if he wanted to. He washed it down with a big jug of water. Strong Arm however had ordered something different Albedo wasn’t too familiar with, it was a rich wine in a beer mug.
“Want some kid?”
“No thanks, by the smell of it I think I’ll pass.”
Strong Arm started to laugh, and said, “Good choice kid, stay away from these types of drinks.”
Strong Arm and Albedo continued on talking and he thought he was a pleasant man. He told Albedo about the different kingdom he’s been to. He even told Albedo that he met one of the monarchs during his voyage. The waiter, John, came over with their bills and Albedo was getting ready to pay with the golden certificate. Strong Arm waved him off insisting and paid for everything, even tipping John with 40 gold. They continued on talking. Few minutes passed by Albedo and Strong Arm could hear a commotion with one of the customers.
“I wonder what’s going on over there?” asked Albedo.
Strong Arm now looked intense and responded, “If you ask me it doesn’t look like he wants to pay for his food.”
“How do you know?” asked Albedo.
“It’s the same in every town kid. There’s always someone who refuses to pay.”
The customer started shouting he wasn’t going to pay for the food. He said it tasted bad and had a foul smell to it.
John the waiter said, “But sir, if it was so bad then why did you eat most of it and left one bite?”
The other customers looked in suspicion as they stared at him. “Because I was hungry! That’s why I ate your filth!”
Strong Arm now got up from his stool. He griped his hands. The man who refused to pay punched John in the face drawing blood and finished by hitting him over the head with a chair.
The customers were now astounded and terrified.
“Do you all know who I am? My name is Kevin!” He looked mad holding a knife in his hand now.
Albedo quickly ran over to John lying on the floor. He locked eye to eye with Kevin, angrily. He got up, with a strong grip. He said, “I’m going to make you pay for that.” He wondered if Kevin was a vampire or a Pureblood, using the Elder he could find out. Albedo started felling something rising out him like a deep hate that wanted to kill Kevin. He could feel the power of the Elder slowly moving towards his hands and felt it was only a matter of time before his markings started to glow. This was the same feeling he felt when the bear was ready to finish him he had felt a deep urge to kill. As the Elder was about to take over, Strong Arm put a hand on Albedo’s shoulder. Albedo could feel the urge starting to diminish.
“I’ll handle this kid.” With that Strong Arm stood in front of Kevin fearlessly. You could see the comparison in size between Kevin and Strong Arm. Strong Arm was at least two times bigger and taller than Kevin was.
“You think I’m afraid of you, you oversize giant freak of nature!” said Kevin.
Kevin swung his knife at Strong Arm, but Strong Arm was fast and he grabbed Kevin’s arm. He squeezed and Kevin felt his arm being crushed. He yanked Kevin viciously up in the air and slammed him, destroying a table underneath him.
Albedo was stunned by his strength, crushing every bone in Kevin’s body. He had smacked Kevin so viciously there were cracks on the ground. This man is not ordinary, thought Albedo. His strength was of a Pureblood, not a vampire like he claimed.
The people were silenced; a man shouted, “I will run to get the guards.”
Strong Arm now looked face to face with Albedo. There was no way this man was a vampire, he was just simply too strong. He had slung Kevin so fast and easily as if he was simply picking up a bottle and lifting it to his mouth. It was super strength, powerful! Albedo turned his sensing on and his indication was right, Strong Arm was a Pureblood.
Strong Arm said to Albedo, “Be careful kid, that killer-lust look in your eyes will get you killed fast.”
“And what do you mean by that,” said Albedo. How does he know about the killer-lust?
There was an uneasy feeling in the air Albedo didn’t like. If Strong Arm hadn’t stopped him he might have had released the Elder and who know what could’ve happened.
“Just saying kid, I hate to see someone as young as you die so soon,” said Strong Arm.
They could now hear the soldiers coming. John finally woke up from his stage of consciousness and a few customers helped him to his feet. He had a broken nose and some of his teeth have fallen out. With a few drops of blood he was going to regenerate in no time.
“It was nice meeting you kid. But I must take my leave, and who knows, who’s to say our path won’t cross again.” He grabbed his bag and left before the guards could arrive.
***
Sonia was stunned when she walked in the restaurant with the royal guards. She saw Albedo looking angrily and quickly went to him. How could she have left him by himself? He was new to this town, to this type of world. She saw Kevin lying on the ground unconsciously. Albedo was in no stage to explain what happened, so the customers and John had to do so. Sonia ordered the guards to apprehend Kevin at once. John had to take the rest of the day off, the other waiters cleaned the mess and business continued.
“Who was that man I wonder,” said Sonia as they sat outside the restaurant eating. Sonia had been given the best table at the restaurant; apparently she was a local there.
“I don’t know, whoever he was he was strong,” said Albedo as he was feeling much better now.
Sonia excused herself and went to wash up. Albedo noticed all the bags Magi were carrying. His clothes, hers and her sweets that she loves so much were lying on the floor by the table. Albedo didn’t know what to make of Magi; she was shy but looked happy around Sonia. She sat there staring at the table. She was quite a beautiful young woman. She was slim like Sonia, black hair but her eyes were black instead of Sonia’s red eyes.
“How come everyone knows who Sonia is?” asked Albedo who wanted to break the awkward silence.
She hesitated to speak but said, “Besides the fact that she’s a local here and shops a lot. She’s a Black Reaper so everyone recognized her.”
“I notice that you admire her a lot,” said Albedo.
“Yes I do, Master Albedo. Sonia…once saved my life.” Albedo saw her smile for the first time.
“Saved your life?”
“Yes a long time ago. Ever since that day I’ve been serving her as a way to repay my debt.”
Albedo wanted to know what happened but she looked as if she was uncomfortable talking about it. He changed the subject and Sonia came back a few minutes later. Sonia and Magi ate and Albedo passed, he said he wasn’t hungry, which was unusual. He was thinking about how strong, Strong Arm was. Even though he was a Pureblood and Kevin was a vampire, their strength different were wide apart. It’s true that Purebloods are physically stronger than vampires, but Strong Arm was in a different level of strength.
***
“Alright Albedo, I want to see how powerful your Crimson Flame is,” said Sonia as they were in the training room.
The training room was enormous. The ground was dirt and there were weapons hanging all around them. This morning they
had went to the market and now Sonia wanted to see how far Albedo’s ability had become. After they left the market Sonia took him straight there, he hadn’t even had time to see or try his new clothes. She wanted to train him; it’s been a while. In front of him were three rocks set up by Sonia, his test today was to blow them up with his fire. He shot a fireball but it wasn’t strong enough, it didn’t even explode. He tried again but flare came out this time. He thought about using the Elder but changed his mind. He didn’t want to rely on the Elder; sure it makes your ability stronger and gives you more control, but Albedo wanted to control his ability on his own. What if the Elder failed him one day? Then he would be in trouble.
“He Sonia, can you teach me more about the Crimson Flames?”
“All right, it’s good to know you love to learn. Albedo, about the Crimson Flames, they all can practically do the same thing. Those who control the Crimson Flames are able to change its density and use it as an explosion, a light that blinds your opponents, and even to walk on walls, which I have yet to learn those last two. And much more,” explained Sonia.
“Then how come Aleister didn’t use explosion or blind me with his? When his white flames hit me I felt my energy diminished,” said Albedo. He had remembered Aleister standing upside down.
“Maybe Aleister hadn’t mastered how to use it as an explosion yet, or the light to blind his opponents.”
“Does that mean we can use the teleportation ability also!” he loved that ability.
“Let me explain Albedo. Our Crimson Flames; just because we have it doesn’t mean we can unlock all its secrets.”
“So basically all you’re saying is that I have to work harder to achieve the teleportation ability?”
“That’s not what I said Albedo, it’s harder than you think.”
“I’ll master it one day, you just watch!” he said with a bright smile.
Somehow I believe that, thought Sonia. Sonia demonstrated her explosion and destroyed the rock.
Albedo followed but wasn’t getting anywhere. After practicing for a while he was finally able to do it, but not as consistent as he wanted to. It was getting dark and Sonia told him it was time to go see the King. Albedo was hoping he could provide him with answers he was looking for. He went back to his room and showered. He opened the wardrobe and saw that Magi had hung up his clothes for him. The wardrobe was filled with prince like attire, very fancy clothing. After done changing he walked to the front door of the throne room and he could feel his heart beating faster. Sonia was outside of the hallway sitting, waiting for him.
“He wants to talk to you alone. I’ll be waiting out here for you.”
He grabbed her hand nervously. “Wait, what is he like, and what if--?”
She put a hand on his head. “---Just be yourself!”
He walked in the throne room, his feet trembled with fear. Why am I afraid? The throne room was huge. Albedo thought to himself, there are giant light bulbs hanging from all over the ceiling. The ceiling was made of glass. The throne sat at the top of a three-stepped platform, which just added to the prestige of power that Albedo felt. Albedo was nervous and excited at the same time realizing that he was finally meeting the king. Rich hues of gold and red splashed the plush carpet, furniture, and walls. The room’s walls were painted blood red with paintings and mirrors outlined in gold. Two gigantic golden statues of lions stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the throne. The ceiling was at least twenty feet high with crystal and gold chandeliers dangling from it. Albedo thought that this must have taken a lot of gold and time to build and design. But of course those were irrelevant to the King.
“Albedo, welcome.” He got caught in daydreaming forgetting the king was here.
“You’re all grown up now,” said King Victor as he gave Albedo an unexpected hug. “It’s been so long since I’d last seen you.”
“Do you know me? How come you and Aleister know me, but I don’t know either of you?” asked Albedo.
King Victor had the same build as Axil. He could tell that Victor had a powerful fist like Axil does. “How are your parents doing?”
He had so many questions for the King, “How do you know my parents?” this was déjà vu all over again, just like Aleister this man knows who he is. “How can you know so much about me, when I know so little of myself or you? Why is Aleister after me? What does he want from me?”
Victor could see he wanted answers and that nothing else matters to him, “That we don’t know, but don’t worry about him, as long as Sonia and Angelione are with you. I promise you, you’re going to be fine.”
Albedo could tell the king was holding out answers from him, he could see it on his face. The King knew something and didn’t want to tell. Just like he could tell when his parents were lying to him. He had become an expert in people keeping secrets from him. “I’m tired of this!” said Albedo angrily, slightly raising his voice to the king. “I’m tired of you, my parents, Aleister, and everyone else keeping secrets from me. For once, just tell me the truth. I have the right to know it.”
Victor could no longer keep the secret, “Yes, Albedo you are different, that you already know. Your parents are Purebloods.”
Albedo thought about all those years they said nothing to him, living life as a human.
“They used to work for me, just like Angelione and Sonia. They were the previous Black Reapers. When they had you, they decided to retire. Angelione was their student then Sonia came along later on. So when they left, they took their place.”
He had no idea his parents gave up their position to raise him. So my parents were Black Reapers huh? “How many members are there?”
“The organization in consisted of four Reapers, you haven’t met the other two yet.” The King walked around the room. “Albedo, I need you, this kingdom needs you. To protect this kingdom we need the strength of the Black Reapers. You, Dante and Axil are so young but yet so strong, talents like that don’t come along easily. The three of you have reached a level of strength that would take other Purebloods years to gain.”
Albedo didn’t know what to say, his talent has been recognized by one of the highest kings in this world.
“The reason that Aleister is after you is because you were born with a special ability. What that ability is, we don’t know.”
He still had questions for Victor. Why was he having dreams of him calling him Dawson? Why was he able to learn to fight so quickly? It felt so natural. He was able to unleash a power that would take a Pureblood a thousand years to achieve, the Elder.
He knew that Victor wasn’t going to give him anymore answers.
“So now you know the truth Albedo. It wasn’t your parent’s idea to hide it from you. But we had no choice but to do it after we learned he was looking for someone with your type of ability. He is a canny one; don’t let him plant seeds into your head. Don’t listen to what he tells you, it’s all a lie.”
It had to be, thought Albedo.
“So my parents are Purebloods huh!” he smiled, “I figured as much.” He was calm now. “So what kind of ability did they have?” asked Albedo.
“That’s something you have to ask them yourself!” said the king.
“Were you the one who sent that report to me?”
“Yes,” said the King. “I was confident that you would do what felt was right.”
“What if I had failed?”
“I thought of that, I took a big risk by leaving the situation to the three of you. But at the end it paid off.”
***
“So how did it go?” asked Sonia as she waited outside for him.
“We talked, he’s a really a nice guy, I can see why people love him,” said Albedo. Only Albedo would call a High King a nice guy.
That night Albedo and Sonia stayed up to watch the lighting. The next day he woke up and put on his brand new clothes. He met with Sonia and Dante in the hallway and they made their way if front of the castle where Axil and Angelione were waiting for them.
“At last, I get to use my skill,” said Dante. Today he had on his white vest and long white pants. He wanted to know disparately what his first mission was going to be about. They walked to Angelione who was holding a black envelope with a seal of a feather in his hand, just like the one on Sonia’s masks. Angelione fixed the glasses on his face, opened the letter and started to read it at loud.
“My name is Frank and I’m asking for the King’s help. I am the head captain of the Humans’ Special Division in north Inferno. Lately there have been sightings of corpses coming back to life and killing the town’s people. Our men are not equipped to deal with this kind of situation, we desperately ask for the King’s help.”
A chill went through Albedo’s spine, another one managed to enter Inferno. Albedo did not understand how another one got into the human’s territory. Vincent had managed to get in thanks to his special unique abilities, able to turn himself invisible. The Xs on the other hand were mysteries.
“We’re leave in the morning, so make sure everything is ready,” said Angelione.
***
The-blood rain was something Dante had been waiting for, and it rained at the perfect time too. It was the middle of the night and the rain covered the sky while the moon reflected its bright color. With the blood-rain Dante could rejuvenate his strength. Him, Axil and Angelione were outside of the castle feeding their thirst. They were going on a mission and they needed to make sure they drank enough blood.
“Drink up, it won’t rain for another while,” said Angelione gulping a huge chunk.
Throughout the kingdom people were outside with their buckets, filing their blood supplies. It would be bad for someone to go thirsty and go after a human. They knew blood only came maybe twice a month if they were lucky, stocking up was critical. Owners of restaurants filled their many buckets to make their famous blood soup and blood duck. The blood business was big in Nacune and these owners knew how to make a profit. They provided their customers, who seem to can’t get enough of blood with as much as they needed. Some had hundreds of jars outback in their restaurant. Even the castle’s maids filled up their jars for the army and the king.
