The Demonfire, the Hellgazer and the Black Knights

Sofie happily informed Slacovich and the others about the recognition of the legendary Black Knights as their new Queen. Upon hearing the good news, all of them lit the candle of hope inside their hearts. They'd be more prepared to deal with Volton's army. What made Sofie even happier was that by the end of the week, she and Harry would be going back to the Demonfire mansion. After seven months of staying in the UK, she'd be reunited with the one she loved. As for Harry, he made sure no evidence of her research would be left in the burned-down laboratory. Burning it again wouldn't make any difference anyway. Both of them finished all their tasks and planned to take time to buy some souvenirs for everyone.

Meanwhile, at Volton's company, he suddenly lost access to the Demonfire files. He hired hackers to bring down their firewall to retrieve information on their business transactions and plans. But suddenly, an even more secure firewall was set up by a third party. Even Li, who manages their security programs, found it odd to have a third party involved. She had been trying to eliminate the hacker from her program, yet it came back every now and then. With the new firewall in place, she was a bit taken aback, unsure whether it was an ally or an enemy. She informed Slacovich and the rest about it. It seemed the third party noticed their inconvenience and sent an emblem to them, a knight riding a black horse, new to their eyes but not for Nicholson.

"Seems like the Black Knights Society is taking action." Slacovich and the others turned their heads toward the voice, finding Nicholson smiling while looking at the emblem.

"Black Knights Society?" Li was a bit confused.

"How come they have access to the internet? Aren't they supposed to be knights or soldiers?" Diego scratched his nape in confusion.

"They were knights and always will be. But they've evolved into something better to mingle with the crowd. I think they've learned to live like the rest."

"That makes sense. Then if they're an independent society, having them as an ally will raise our position, keeping the Hellgazer down where we can see their movements." Slacovich leaned on the couch as he rested his back.

"You've been uneasy lately. What have you been doing?" Nicholson sat beside him.

"Volton's been trying to hijack our extended companies. Planting spies and intervening in every transaction. He's been fighting us through business matters currently. If this keeps up, I may not be able to track his next move."

"With the help of the Black Knights Society, you'll be able to keep track of his plans. Moreover, the task will be much easier."

"I just don't want to rely on their help. We can do something about it ourselves. But having them around raises everyone's hopes. I'll just talk it out with Sofie when she comes back."

When the new firewall was set up, Li was granted access over it. Also, the BKS sent files about the hacker's identity. It shocked her to know that the one trying to infiltrate her program was the one guy she'd trusted all her life. She couldn't believe the information she was reading. The next page related to Slacovich, so she called him up.

"Slacovich, you might want to take a look at this." Her voice was shaking as she held back tears. Diego noticed and gave her a glass of water. Slacovich took a look at what made Li feel so down all of a sudden. The same feeling rushed through his veins.

"This can't be! How come?" he blurted out.

"I could ask the same thing." Li looked at him, questioning what was happening.

"Volton's been targeting the people dear to us. Why haven't I thought about this possibility!"

"It's not your fault. We should ask them in person. Volton must have done something to them. They must be forced by him to work under his nose." Li clenched her fist.

"Diego, check on your father's whereabouts. Seems like Volton's using them against us."

"Slacovich, I already know what happened to my father. He can't use him against me." Diego's face saddened, and they already had an idea of what happened.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Carolina embraced him tightly as she gently patted his back.

"It's alright. I already prepared myself back then." He embraced her back, burying his face on her shoulder.

"Ara, how about you?"

"The three children that General Buhadden promised to take care of. But since we left the facility, I've never heard anything about them." Ara started worrying that Volton might do something to them.

"We'll ask someone from there to search for those kids." Tyler comforted her immediately.

"How about you, Tyler?"

"My mom, but I'm sure she's not someone he can mess with. We still exchange emails, and so far, they've been unable to lay a foot in our backyard." He grinned widely, proud of his mom's skills.

"Knowing you're a great inventor, you might have gotten it from your mom, from the way you grin." Diego messed his hair.

"I've told her who our enemy is, so she'll stay away from him. She said she doesn't want to be a burden, so she'll protect herself at any cost. Her safety is the greatest help she can offer."

"Cool mom." Ara smiled at him.

"I'll let you meet her one day." Ara slightly blushed.

"It's only me and Li's friends who have been working under Volton. As for Ara, we'll let our contacts search for those kids."

"Thanks a lot, Slacovich."

"We're a family here. We're going to look out for each other."

Li and Slacovich took their leave. They couldn't wait another second to know what was happening. They rushed toward Volton's company. Standing in front of the building, both of them were blocked by Volton's men.

"We're not here to fight. We just need to talk to someone we know." Slacovich stood there composed, even if the guards were ready to be hostile toward them. One guard informed Volton about their arrival.

"Mr. Hellgazer, sir, Mr. Demonfire and his secretary want to talk to some of your men."

"Let them in. Don't do anything rash."

"Yes, sir." He then signaled the others to be at ease. Slacovich and Li entered the company. Seeing the employees, they were sure everyone inside the building was a third-gen vampire. They'd be dead if Volton took advantage of their recklessness. The elevator popped open, and Volton greeted them with a wide smile on his face.

"What brings you here?" He patted Slacovich's shoulder and kissed Li's hand. Both were disgusted by his act, yet they had to stay cool.

"I've heard a friend of mine started working here. He goes by the name Dragon Claw." Li's eyes turned red.

"Oh, the programmer I hired recently. You know he's a tough one, but I managed to lure him to me." Something in his tone didn't seem right. Li was starting to lose her composure, but Slacovich squeezed her hand to remind her.

"Lure him here? I wonder how?"

"Being your friend makes him vulnerable to danger. I just accommodated him with kindness. There's nothing to worry about. He's safe and sound."

"Then can I see him?"

"I'm sorry, but that's for him to decide."

"Then if that's the case, if he wants to see me, you won't intervene, right?" Li glared at him.

"I won't. Don't worry." Volton said, but in his mind: If he can walk away alive.

"I have the same case, Mr. Hellgazer. Blu works here too, if I'm not mistaken."

"Oh, Blu? Yeah, he's been doing his job perfectly. Right now, he's in India. For some reason, I want to adopt three children and cultivate them to be Hellgazers."

"You!" Li stopped Slacovich before he raged in anger.

"Let's go. We've heard enough." Li pulled him away and left the area.

When they got back to their office, Slacovich punched the wall table down.

"What happened?" Ara rushed toward them.

"Ara, Volton's looking for those children you're attached to."

"What? That can't happen. I need to do something."

"Blu's looking for them. It's better if I go there myself."

"No! I'm going with you!" Ara insisted on going with Slacovich.

"Then let me come too." Tyler showed up.

"No, it's going to be Ara and me only. We need people here too."

"But----"

"No buts, Tyler." Ara squeezed his hand.

"Tyler, Li will need some assistance here. You can help her find a way to contact her friend. Volton's hiding him for no reason. I have a feeling that her friend's still not willing to follow Volton at all."

"If that's the case, then I'll stay here. But make sure to protect Ara."

"I don't need protection. I can take care of myself."

"I'll inform Sofie about the situation. Li, book us a flight ASAP."

"On it."

Whatever Volton's plotting against them gets more personal. Targeting the people around them, those who shared lives before turning into vampires, is a great move. Volton manages to distract them using their old friends. Now, bigger conflict will start to arise as they let themselves be distracted. The pawns have been moved; now it's time for the bishops to take action.