Chapter 8: Stalkers

Since the day of his encounter with the parasite vampire, Rae has been having trouble sleeping at night. It feels like he's been missing something. The creature's gone and yet he feels like something's off.

He's been tossing himself to bed as he recalled the events.

'I've read about parasite vampires but never encountered one in my life. It was said they can have multiple bodies as their host... What if that vampire we have fought back then wasn't the real one?' He solemnly thought.

Suddenly, the scenes of those events flashed back on his mind. Witnessing how his schoolmates have turned out to be insect vampires under his watch. How ashamed he was for not being able to protect them!

'That's because you've been holding back!' Said a low and deep voice inside his head.

'You've been given such amazing power. You can take anyone down with a single gaze, yet you didn't do it when you had the chance. How pathetic!'

Rae held his head, "Shut up..."

'It's your fault why they've become monsters. You always hesitate!'

Rae shook his head, "Stop..!"

'You've been too kind to your enemies. That kindness would be your downfall!'

"You're wrong!" Rae mumbled, "Kindness isn't anyone's weakness... It's a strength! If you think you can take over me like the last time, you are definitely wrong!"

At his words and conviction, the voice faded inside of him. His head has become light and the pain has gone.

With that, the lad rushed towards the bathroom and washed his face. When he gazed at the mirror, his eyes are in bright red.

"I shouldn't let him control me for the third time." He mumbled and calmed himself. When he opened his eyes, his pupils have turned back to blue.

Now that he can't fall asleep, he decided to come out of his room and get down to their underground basement. As he was told, this is where his mother, the Vampire Queen, used to be kept hidden from the other vampires. Now that his mother's back in the vampire world, the basement has become empty. Not until that fateful ambush in their school gym happened.

When he called Damien that day, he quickly rushed towards their school and fixed their mess. With his help, they took those victims with them and kept them here in his basement. As for those students' parents, Rin helped him hypnotized them so that they won't worry about their children's absence.

'As much as I hate tricking people, I have to use my ability on them for the meantime. Not until we finally find the cure to turn them back to normal.' Rae thought as he managed to reach the basement.

Damien was there, still examining each student placed on a huge capsule.

"Can't sleep again?" He asked knowing it's him who's approaching.

"Not much. How are they?"

"Their pulses are normal, like yesterday. I've checked their genes and they're the same as the mortals. It's hard to locate the parasite inside their body. It feels like it's moving on its own." Damien explained.

"I can feel it..." Rae said as he gently touched one of the capsule glasses, "It is as you said. The parasite is moving freely inside their bodies. I want to take them out so bad." He closed his eyes.

"Young Master, it's risky and dangerous."

"I know," Rae opened his eyes, "One wrong move and it would be the end of them."

Damien can feel the pain and suffering in his eyes. The feeling that you wanted to help but you can't do anything. It must've been torture for the lad knowing how much he wanted to save them.

"Don't worry," Damien said, "I'll do everything I can to create a medicine that can kill those parasites."

Rae smiled, "Thank you, Damien."

Then, he glanced at one of the capsules and leaned his forehead on the glass.

'I'll never stop until I find a way to cure you all. I promise!' He said as if he's communicating to all of them.

***

It was his usual midnight stroll patrolling all over the city. It has been always the same night not until something came off.

The lad was jumping from one building to another and landed to take a break.

'It's been three days...' He thought, 'I'm being followed by two beings for three days. And during those times, they're not making any move... yet.'

He gazed at the cars and vehicles passing by the roads below him, pretending he didn't notice his so-called 'stalkers'.

'At first, I tried to ignore them. Maybe I was just imagining things. And I can still find a way to escape from them when I wanted to go back home.'

The cool breeze of wind blew as he gazed upon the city lights.

'For the second time, they spotted me again. They're definitely following me as if observing my every move. I can still recall how hard it is for me to escape from them. Now that it has come to this, I guess I have to confront them. I can't risk for anyone to find out about my identity.' He said to himself and quickly vanished.

The two men flinched.

"He's gone! Where did he go?!" Isaac panicked.

"Stay alert! He might be out there somewhere." Gideon narrowed his eyes.

"So it's you guys." They heard a voice from behind. When they turned around, the Vampire King was standing beside them.

"I was wondering who could be my stalkers. But looks like I've expected much. You hunters really don't know how to rest." Rae sighed and shook his head.

The two men exchanged glances as if they can read each other's minds. The one with curly hair attacked first. He took his golden knife and swing it over his face. Quickly, Rae dodged his attack. But it seems like he was expecting it. The other man was waiting for his chance to attack. With his index finger, a golden surujin appeared and strike at Rae. If it wasn't for his vampiric abilities, he wouldn't be able to dodge their attacks in a short span of time.

"Looks like you two didn't come in peace."

"That's our line," said Gideon, "Vampire King, have you come in our world for peace?"

Rae blinked, "And if I do, would you believe me?"

Isaac pointed an accusing finger, "Hey we're the ones asking here! Don't answer our question with another one."

The lad shrugged, "Fine. But I'm not even obliged to answer you anyways."

"Oh?" Gideon scoffed, "Then I just have to make you then." He raised his right hand filled with golden rings. And on each ring, there are golden chains connected to his golden bracelet.

By moving his index finger, the golden surujin moved and attacked Rae once again. The lad bit his thumb and turned his blood into a whip to deflect Gideon's attacks.

He wrapped his whip around the surujin and pulled Gideon with his incredible strength. He wasn't really planning to hurt any of them. Just enough power to constraint him.

But soon as he was about to tie Gideon, an arrow suddenly came flying towards him. If he didn't notice in time, he would be shot not long ago. When he gazed at his side, the man with curly hair is the one who shot the arrow. He was holding a golden bow and that's all. He can't see any bag of arrows in his possession.

'Where does his arrow come from?' Rae thought.

Just then, Isaac pulled his bowstring and mumbled some words.

"O light from above, heed my prayer. Give me strength and power. Pierce this arrow and be his shadow." Suddenly, a golden light formed an arrow shape and came flying towards the lad.

'So that's how it is!' Rae thought and dodged the arrow.

But much to his surprise, the arrow turned around and chased after him.

"What the--!?"

"I cast a spell on that arrow. It won't leave not until it'll hit you." Isaac smirked.

"Nice one!" Gideon snickered and swing his surujin once again. Now Rae's been avoiding two attacks at the same time and at such speed.

'Strange... All he did was to avoid our attacks.' Isaac thought.

'He's not even doing something that could freak us out. Were the rumors about him all untrue?' Gideon was thinking the same as his partner.

Suddenly, Rae bit his thumb once again and released some red strings that constraint both attacks. Then, in such speed, he appeared before Gideon and was about to punch him.

Good thing, Isaac was fast enough to summon a force field before Gideon. Much to his surprise, the lad's punch almost tear the shield into pieces. The cracks were evident before him.

But he shouldn't faze. Otherwise, he wouldn't be called an elite of the Ministry.

"You shouldn't come closer." Gideon mumbled and cast a magic circle below the lad.

Too late to avoid the attack, Rae was electrified and was unable to move for a minute. The red strings faded and now the two hunters can control their weapons.

Using his pinky finger, Gideon released a golden chain and wrapped it around the lad.

"Well then, I guess you're obliged to answer now." Isaac sighed.

Rae raised an eyebrow, "And if I don't?"

Suddenly, he has electrified once again that he groaned in pain.

"That's what will happen." Gideon responds.

'Damn! These two hunters were wiser and quicker! I shouldn't have confronted them.' Rae thought as he panted.

Then, Isaac came forward and grabbed the collar of his coat.

"Tell us, what exactly did you come here for? We've been observing you for three days and all you did was to roam around the city."

Even Rae cannot clearly see his face because of his thick rounded glasses, he's certain how serious this hunter is in seeking the answers.

'Would they believe me if I tell them the truth? And if I lie, would they see right through it? No, I shouldn't do that. It'll make matters worse.' He said to himself.

The lad took a deep breath, "I am... no king." He said, "But I wanted to become one, to set the balance between this world and the other."

Slowly, he looked at them, "I don't mean to hurt anyone, I just want peace."

For a moment, the two hunters were in a daze. It was as if their eyes are playing tricks on them. The Vampire King's eyes became gentle and calm. He wasn't even afraid of what they might do to him at this state.

With that, Isaac glanced at Gideon. Knowing what he means, he shook his head in response.

'Strange... If this vampire brat is lying, the chains should've reacted a while ago. But it made no response. Does it mean... he's telling the truth?' Gideon solemnly thought.

Isaac sighed, "Well then, why aren't you saying anything? You always give trouble to hunters like us."

"Do you really think they'd believe me?" Rae retorted, "I tried once and all I received was your holy attacks."

"W-well... You have a point in there." Isaac rubbed his cheek gently and feel a bit ashamed.

Then, he glanced at Gideon, "I-I'm... out of questions to ask!"

"You idiot!" Gideon sighed in frustration and switched positions with Isaac.

"I have only one question for you, kid..." His fierce eyes glared at him, "How can we trust a vampire's words?"

Rae knew that moment, they weren't easy to please as the others. He can't blame them though. They're just being certain. After all, the world is cruel and filled with liars. It's indeed hard to prove your own innocence through words alone.

With that, he pursed his lips. But before he could utter the words he wanted to say, suddenly, he felt the presence of some vampires heading their way. And he wasn't wrong.

They were being surrounded by a group of vampire bats all of a sudden.

"Is this your response?" Gideon frowned.

"I-it wasn't me! I didn't call any of them!"

The chains didn't react for the second time. Which basically means he's telling the truth.

Then, one of these giant vampire bats growled as if it was telling something to them.

"Uhh... Did it just talk to us?" Isaac frowned.

"He said they wanted me and asking to let me go." Rae answered. He can understand their words that humans don't.

"Ha! And why should we do that? If you want your king back, you guys have to go through us!"

The vampire bats growled as if they're talking to each other.

"What did they say?" Isaac turned to Rae.

The lad furrowed his brows, "They said they're not afraid. And they're going to shave that thick curly hair of yours." The lad bit his lower lip, holding himself not laugh.

"What!?" Isaac grabbed Rae's collar, "What did you say just now?"

"W-why are you mad at me? I'm just the translator here!"

"Enough of this nonsense!" Gideon's firm voice came in.

And while they're distracted, the vampire bats suddenly attacked altogether. Quickly, the two hunters spread out and avoided their sharp claws. Gideon used his surujin, carefully controlling its attack with his finger.

"Stand back!" Isaac exclaimed as he pointed his golden bow upwards. After pulling the string and shooting a single light from above, suddenly, it multiplied and the arrows came down like drops of rain.

'Scatter!!!' The vampire bats did their best to avoid these golden arrows or it would be the end of them.

While this is happening, one vampire bat, who stood earlier sneaked in and rushed towards Rae.

'Vampire King...' He called.

"What do you want from me?" Rae asked as he was struggling in those golden chains.

'Use this opportunity to escape, we'll buy you some time.'

The lad was surprised at what he heard, "Y-you guys are not after my life?"

'We don't. We came because we're looking for you. We need you. That's why we can't afford you getting captured by the hunters.'

"Need me?" Rae echoed.

'There's no time to waste. We'll distract the other hunter so escape from those chains, now!'

Rae nodded, "I understand."

With that, the vampire bat quickly flew and fought Gideon, knowing he's the one controlling the chains. Rae noticed the hunter was frowning as he takes those vampires altogether using only one weapon. Also, he can't seem to put his pinky finger down since the time he captured him on these golden chains.

'Seems like it's hard for him to control his powers at once in this kind of situation. And if he can, maybe there's a huge side effect on him. So he's being careful.' The lad thought and noticed the chains being loosened up.

'Thanks to that, I'll be able to move now.'

The lad took the chance and break free from the golden chains. The hunters saw what happened and they're now heading towards his way.

'Flee, Vampire King!' The vampire bats shouted.

Rae spreads his wings and said, "Sorry, but I'm done running away."

All of a sudden, he appeared in front of Gideon and Isaac. It was so fast that they have no time to react. Rae grabbed Gideon's right wrist while he grabbed Isaac's left wrist. The two hunters were surprised, the holy weapon of Sophrosyne didn't react at his touch at all. It didn't make a single spark nor a stingy pain on him, not even a scratch.

"Let's take a break, shall we?" Quickly, he twisted their arms on their backs and pinned them on the ground.

Rae bit his lip and turned the blood into red sharp strings that were wrapped around their wrists.

"One move and you'll lose both of your hands."

"Are you threatening us?" Gideon glared.

"Nope, I'm just informing you of what those strings do." He grinned.

'What the heck is wrong with him?!' Isaac thought.

'I can't believe it! I'm certain he made physical contact with Sophrosyne. But why doesn't it affect him?' Gideon pondered, 'There's only one possibility on that...'

'You're right, Gideon...' The female voice responds, 'I don't sense any dark nor malicious intent towards him. And, he's not a pure vampire.'

'What!?' Gideon glanced at the lad after learning the truth. Then, he gazed at Isaac who has the same expression as him. Looks like his holy weapon revealed the same thing to him.

"Cernunnos*, you've gotta be kidding me!" He mumbled out loud, "All this time, the Vampire King is a half-blood?!"

"Lower your voice, idiot!" Gideon scolded.

"It's fine, I've heard it." Rae said as he walked towards the wounded vampire bats.

"I won't lie about it, it's the truth. I'm a hybrid. My father's a human and my mother's a vampire." He wounded his palm and let the vampires drink his blood.

"W-what are you doing?" Isaac asked and both of them became alert of what might happen next to those monsters.

They're thinking he's giving his blood so that these vampire bats would become stronger to devour them. But instead, what they witnessed surprised them more.

The vampires' wounds healed and slowly, they turned back into humans.

"H-how is this possible?! Level-D vampires can't even return to their human forms anymore." Isaac mumbled. He wanted to rub his eyes in disbelief if it wasn't for the sharp strings wrapped around his wrists.

Rae sighed, "I don't want to show this to anyone but I can't leave them on the verge of death." He glanced at the two hunters, "This is one of my abilities. My blood can turn back any lower rank vampires into their human forms."

"So the reason why you're roaming around the city... was to look for these lower rank vampires and bring them back?" Gideon asked.

The lad nodded, "But it wasn't perfect. My blood would only suffice to suppress their hunger and bloodlust." He gazed at the human victims with such sadness in his eyes.

"Vampire King..." Called one of them, "There's someone... there's another one who needs your help."

"Who is it?"

"He's the one who gathered us around and told us about your ability. He wanted to return just like the rest of us. But he's in trouble, he can't get to you right now. He's still bound under his master. He's been fighting since the time we left."

"Where is he?"

"Over there--!" The man pointed in one direction where there was a thick smoke smoldering around. He was surprised seeing the fire has been spread out.

"It has begun!"

Quickly, Rae spreads his wings. But before he left, he removed the red strings on the hunters' wrists before he flew away.

"Are we going to follow him?" Isaac asked.

"What else?" Gideon replied and they quickly jumped from building to building, chasing after the Vampire King.

'What could it be this time? Is the Vampire King always facing these kinds of trouble every night?' Gideon thought. But no matter how many times he asked, the answers surely lie when they reach that place. That's what his instincts tell him.

***

Right after her class, Ella went to the bus station which leads in a different direction from her house. She was asked by her mother to come back to their old house to get some things for her.

'Time sure flies fast.' She thought as she gazed upon the window, noticing how the sun quickly sets.

'It has been a few days since Mr. Gideon left for another mission. And since then, I paused my investigation in finding dad. I feel like, I don't have much confidence without him by my side.' The lass heaved a sigh.

Then, she flinched when she came upon a realization.

'Wait! Does that mean... I-I missed Mr. Gideon?!' She can feel the heat rising and her cheeks burning just by thinking about it.

'Get yourself together, Ella! There's no way I already missed him! It's been just a few days, why am I already so fond of him?' She shook her head and took deep breaths.

Then she realized, she has finally reached her destination. If she didn't happen to gaze at the window, she might've missed the chance to come out of the bus.

"I should hurry up before it gets late." Ella mumbled as she walked on the streets. Good thing the lamp posts are well lit, she won't get scared of the dark.

When she reached their old house, she noticed that the lock on the gate was nowhere to be found.

'I'm sure it's right here before we left. Don't tell me... there's a thief inside?!' She gulped nervously at the thought.

But even she's afraid, she still gathered the courage to carefully go inside the house. She grabbed her pepper spray inside her bag as she cautiously looked around.

Instead of going straight to the main door, Ella came in using the back door. Good thing she still has the keys with her. It was dark and the lights were off. She used the flashlight from her phone as she silently creeped out inside.

'This was supposed to be our house yet why am I the one creeping like the bad guy?' She grumbled.

When she reached the living room, the lights were suddenly turned on.

"Oh my, oh my, what do we have here?"

As Ella turned around, she saw a teenage girl sitting comfortably on the sofa while having that dangerous smirk. She has such pale white skin, pointed ears, and red eyes which she can quickly tell that she's a vampire. On top of that, her curly blue hair tied in a ponytail also stands out.

"I never thought I'll have a guest at this time of the night." She giggled.

Ella raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me? But this is OUR house. If there's a guest, that would be you. But technically speaking, you're no guest but a trespasser." She crossed her arms to her chest.

"Oh? Is that so?" The girl said and suddenly, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

Her instincts tell her that what she's facing right now is a great danger.

Ella gulped, 'Looks like I dig my own grave...'

The girl snapped her fingers, and from the kitchen, a giant vampire bat appeared. Walking slowly as it drooled with its ferocious red eyes.

'T-that vampire... it's the one we've been chasing!' Ella recognized the monster who once called her name.

"You see, my pet here hasn't been eating properly since I got him." The girl said, "But looks like we're in luck that food came to us all by herself." She giggled.

And suddenly, she coldly gazed at Ella with her glowing red eyes, "Kill her."

The monster jumped towards her. Ella was about to use her pepper spray when it swings its claws and shoved her arm, ended up wounding her, and tossing the spray aside. Too late to grab the only weapon she has, the monster bat jumped at her as she fell on the floor.

Quickly, she drifted her eyes around the house and she noticed the umbrellas scattered on the floor due to her collision when she fell. Swiftly, she grabbed one of these long umbrellas to block the vampire's jaw before it could ever bite her. With all her might she's pushing the monster's face away from her. But looks like her human strength wasn't enough.

The girl giggled, "That's right! Kill her and don't disobey your master!"

Ella closed her eyes as she's slowly losing strength. Is this the end for her? Will she not be able to find her dad again?

As she was thinking these thoughts, she suddenly felt something wet and warm fell on her cheek.

When she opened her eyes, the monster before her was shedding some tears.

'W-why... Why is it crying..?'

'Run... away...' She heard its voice.

'R-run... away... Eh-lla...'

Right there and then, she suddenly felt how this vampire was urging itself not to bite her. It was complete torture, but she can definitely feel how much this vampire has been suffering.

'Eh-lla... Eh-lla...'

Since the day she heard it called her name, a strange feeling of connection suddenly sprung within her. And now it's been calling her again, everything has finally been clear for her. Upon that realization, her eyes began to water as well.

She reached for its face and gently touched it, "Dad... I'm glad you're alright..." She cried.

The vampire bat was surprised, it wasn't expecting her to recognize him right away but she just did. And that was enough for him.

But of course, the vampire girl wasn't happy about it.

"You dare to disobey your master, huh..." She mumbled in a cold voice, "This is your last chance, kill that girl and eat her!" Her eyes became bright red.

Suddenly, the vampire bat held its head and groaned in pain.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Ella panicked and glared at the vampire girl, "What did you do to him?!"

"I'm teaching that puny human who the real master is." The girl grinned.

"You're not a master but a monster!" Ella was about to go towards the vampire when the giant bat suddenly blocked her way and attacked her.

"I'm sorry, dad..." Using the umbrella in her hand, she strikes its face as hard as she could that broke the umbrella.

While it was distracted from the pain, Ella tried to escape but the monster grabbed her leg. And with that, she tripped on the floor.

Now that the umbrella's broken, Ella thought of an alternative weapon that she could use without giving much damage. Noticing the phone in her hand, she quickly took a photo of the monster's face. Good thing, it was in a flash mode. When the light flashed in front of it, the vampire bat groaned and covered its eyes.

Ella used this opportunity to crawl away and noticed the pepper spray on the floor which accidentally slipped through her hands earlier. Secretly, she grabbed it as fast as she can.

The girl giggled, "That's right, human. Crawl like a worm. That suits you well." She mocked.

"I don't care what you call me..." Ella mumbled, "But I won't forgive you for tormenting my dad like this!" Suddenly, she sprayed the pepper spray on the vampire girl's face.

And then, she groaned in pain and covered her eyes, "Argh! It stings, it stings! You'll pay for this human!"

With that, her curly hair tied in a ponytail suddenly burned in blue flames.

"I've had enough of you... Now, burn!" Flames spread out all over the house as it came out of her hands as well.

Ella almost got burned when the vampire bat jumped at her and used its body to protect her.

"Dad!"

'Eh-lla... No.. worry...'

The lass cried seeing how her dad's face twitched in pain.

"If you didn't disobey me earlier, none of these things would've happened..." The vampire girl said and her eyes suddenly came back to normal like nothing has hurt her earlier.

"This will be your punishment. Burn to ashes, mortals!" She stretched her arm and threw her blue flames at them.

But much to their surprise, even they can feel the heat, the fire didn't even burn their skin. When Ella held her head up, they saw someone standing before them, wearing a black coat. This man also has pale skin and pointed ears. But his hair is as red as blood. And before she noticed it, they're being surrounded by some red crystals that protected them from the blue flames.

'Who... was that?' She thought.

"Hmph. So you have appeared..." The girl said and narrowed her eyes at the lad in front of her, "Vampire King!"

"I don't think we've met but..." Rae's eyes glowed in red as he seriously gazed at her, "I won't forgive you for hurting these humans!"