Ironhold was a sprawling city, built for function over beauty. At its center stood a massive walled city, surrounded by smaller settlements connected by wide, elevated roads large enough to accommodate an entire army.
As the sun set, Varek decided the group would rest and continue their journey the next day. Flying at night was nothing if not dangerous. The group could be attacked by wild mutated animals or worse…
With the Sanguine crest on their carriage and armored warriors in tow, their entry into the city was swift and uninterrupted.
They arrived at one of the Redmourne faction’s branches, located at the heart of the city. Malakai disembarked, his gaze lingering briefly on the large building in front of him.
“Soon,” he muttered under his breath, clenching his fists.
Despite being a direct descendant, Malakai knew the rules. Only Blood Knights, or at least apprentices, were permitted entry into the bases. At 14, Malakai remained unevolved, far behind others who had evolved by 12.
“It’s getting late, 9th Vein,” Nyx said respectfully, breaking his thoughts.
Malakai exhaled and moved toward a smaller building nearby, ignoring the stares and whispers that followed him. Because he couldn’t enter the base, he had to settle for this.
Varek smirked as he watched Malakai leave. “Garbage being treated as garbage,” he muttered, not bothering to hide his happiness, before turning away.
As Malakai walked through the compound, a sudden chill gripped him. His steps faltered, and his sharp gaze locked onto a man just entering the compound.
The man appeared pale and weary, his black hair hanging limp around his shoulders. His bloodshot eyes and unsteady steps showed his frailty.
Ever since the incident when he lost his parents, Malakai had developed a weird sense.
He didn’t know how or why. But because he had spent a significant amount of time buried under the darkness, his mother’s death wasn’t the only thing he had felt and witnessed.
Malakai had witnessed exactly 108 more deaths, each one killed by the same darkness that plagued their world.
Because of that, somehow, Malakai could feel whenever death was about to occur and the darkness was about to descend.
‘Is that going to happen here?’
A man had sacrificed himself to create a golden dome that encompassed one-third of the planet, keeping the darkness creatures away. But no defense was truly perfect.
The reoccurring darkness creatures of the south weren’t the only problem that had arisen. Within hours of the dome’s formation, humanity discovered a crisis that haunted them to this day.
And right in front of Malakai, it unfolded.
Suddenly, the lifeguard trapped to the man’s left arm shifted from green to an intense red, and in the next instant, Varek and every other Blood Knight in the area turned as their own devices emitted a sharp beep, followed by a flashing red light.
The tension in the area spiked as a robotic voice, emotionless, sounded from the man’s Lifeguard.
“ALERT: Subject life signs critical. Death imminent. Please clear the area. Blood Knights have been notified and are en route.”
The message repeated continuously, echoing through the area as the Blood Knights’ hands gravitated to the hilts of their weapons.
An intense killing intent flooded the area as each Blood Knight fixed their gazes on the man, every normal citizen in the area running off for safety.
Many Blood Knights acted quickly, and a blue veil suddenly encompassed the entire area.
“We should move, 9th Vein.”
Malakai’s gaze remained fixed on the man for a brief moment. ‘I wonder what caused it.’
He quickly turned before moving far away from the area.
The AI repeated its warning, yet everyone in the area remained unmoving.
The man appeared oblivious to the killing intent that filled the area.
Unlike the other Blood Knights, he was just a normal citizen. One coming to the end of his life. And as he staggered forward, his legs soon gave way, and he fell face-first onto the ground.
Every Blood Knight in the area watched silently as the man’s chest rose and fell, his breathing growing shallower with each breath.
Soon enough, he stopped, his body still and unmoving.
The silence that gripped the area was suffocating, and not even Malakai could move.
One second passed. An intense chill gripped the area. Another second ticked by, the silence growing heavier.
Then, abruptly, a dark pillar erupted from the man’s corpse, shooting upward and colliding with the veil that covered the area.
The darkness coiled around the lifeless body, pulsing as it suddenly consumed the corpse. Slowly, it reshaped, growing taller and broader until a hulking creature of darkness stood in its place.
Its hollow gaze, filled with intelligence, scanned the area before it let out a deep, guttural roar that shattered the silence.
“It’s a Grade 2 Enhancer!”
One of the Blood Knights roared, and in the next instant, they each surged forward, weapons blazing.
…
That evening, Malakai realized again that without evolving, survival or achieving his goal was nearly impossible.
In the old world, intellect, charisma, and appearance were valued. But in this new world, only one thing mattered: Power.
The darkness pits of the south weren’t the only problem they faced. Humanity’s next crisis came swiftly.
When someone died, their body instantly became a vessel for a darkness creature. The dome that was designed to repel the darkness outside couldn’t stop it from emerging within.
Even animals were no exception. How strong these creatures manifested depended on the deceased’s strength and the number of deaths in a given area.
The discovery forced humanity to adapt. Lifeguards were enforced to alert the nearest Blood Knight base of any impending deaths. Though it was still primitive, it was humanity’s best caution against the curse of darkness.
Malakai had tried to watch a battle between the Blood Knights and the creatures but could only catch fleeting blurs of movement before the darkness dissipated.
Returning to his assigned room, he endured yet another sleepless night plagued by his usual nightmares.
By morning, his maid Nyx informed him the group was ready to depart. Minutes later, they were airborne again, heading for the capital of the west.
…
Vitaemora.
The City of Blood.
The capital of the west and the stronghold of the Sanguine Clan was an awe-inspiring sight. Its fortress-like structure, marked by dark stone walls and the clan’s crest, dominated the skyline.
Even after so many visits, Malakai couldn’t help but admire its grandeur. But the awe was fleeting. His stomach twisted at the thought of returning powerless.
Their carriage passed through the gates seamlessly, the Sanguine crest ensuring quick entry.
Once inside, Malakai disembarked without a word, heading east toward a forest near the main building. Nyx followed silently, with Varek staring daggers at Malakai throughout.
“Let’s go make our report to the Blood Sovereign,” he muttered through gritted teeth.