Interlude 1: Prior Riots of Underworld (1)

Monstrous creatures whose appearance resembled humans lived among us for centuries. They often involved behind the scene at many historical events, pulled the strings from the darkness where human knowledge would never reach. Manipulating the truth and fabricating evidences came as easy as breathing for these people.

Still, not every one of them was schemer. Just like humans, most of vampires were normal citizens. Many of them lived among human with their identity kept hidden. The rest might prefer to stay among their own kin, in their own city. Yes, there were number of cities which the residents are vampires. If this was revealed to public, humanity would be terrified of the threat and stirred a war.

But this never happened since vampires hide themselves pretty well. They were either using abandoned towns, dark markets, or build their own city on a secluded place. These places where non-human resided were referred as underworld.

This side of world was on disturbance for quite some time. An incident happened two years ago was the trigger. Because the incident resulted on the death of a royal and a big scandal.

Rumours spread like wind blowing to every direction. Ones could no longer tell which was the truth nor confirm the root of the rumours. All they knew was how everyone being drunk by these baseless rumours that became topic of everyday chats. The same scene was seen at a bar with dim light in one of an old forgotten underground city.

"So, the crown prince's whereabout remained unknown?"

"Yeah. People started call him the lost prince."

"Was is true then? That he was the culprit for the crown princess death?"

"No way …."

"But, it's plausible."

"Watch your words, kid! His Highness is a royal! There's no way he did anything so sinful!"

"… have you never heard rumour about His Highness personality? They said that the crown prince is very cold and heartless."

"There's also rumour that he's a ruthless ruler and will use any method available to gain whatever he wants."

"That can't be … His Majesty who is also his father is benevolent."

"That aside, what should we do if a war breaks soon?"

"You mean, there's going to be a war to memperebutkan right for the throne's successor?"

"High chance about it. Other princes' factions have been making some moves."

"If you're going to involve yourselves, better choose a strong candidate to side with."

"Then whose side is stronger?"

The discussion stirred further, but since their source were rumours, it was more or less factual about the princes of vampire kingdom. Currently, there were four princes, including the crown prince whose whereabout was unknown. The crown prince was the king's only son, Archibald Rainier. Prior the incident two years ago, he was the strongest candidate as throne successor. He got big figures in his faction that even said to rival the king's. As crown prince he had been involved in governing the kingdom and took order directly from the king. There was no doubting his capability as ruler.

Although, there were also some bad talks about him. It was said that he was a cold tyrant and issued order to all of his underlings to get things done without as much as lifting a finger. People said his success in maintain his position as crown prince mainly pure luck. Somehow, good tidings tend to came supported his decision.

"Well, luck is a talent too. In fact, it's the best talent we could expect from our ruler," said a bar girl. "If he was born under lucky star, then why not trust his luck to lead us?"

"You woman, know nothing about politics. There's no one willing to depend on luck. Say, even if it's true, what if he run out of luck someday?"

"I'd rather take another side …"

"What about prince Lucas from Northern Lands?"

Lucas W was the ruler of Northern part of continent, kin to duke. He was actually the oldest prince. His position less strong because he was not a Reiner, the main royal family.

An old saying among vampire said that blood means everything for vampires. Turned out, it was not a metaphor. As evident, family with the strongest blood of Rainier had been major rulers since former king era.

The remaining two princes were also Rainier, Aaron and Damian. Prince Aaron was older and held stronger supporters. Rumours said he was prideful and bad tempered. But it was also said that he was the strongest among four princes. Prince Damian rumoured to be less active in politics, but his friendly approach invited some supporters.

Last but not least, there was a figure that rise in power these last past years and said to be rival a prince. He was the supreme commander of palace army, Luke Evander. A military man, exceeded in strategy and had won several battles. With the absence of crown prince, some important figures invited themselves around Luke, forming a new faction.

"The commander has remarkable achievements."

"But they said that he is in bad term with the crown prince."

"That must be the crown prince's fault. Even his people said he's cold and indifferent."

"Yeah, but if so, then who's His Majesty going to support?"

"His son, I bet."

"Hm, yes, the crown prince had been assisted in govern for years."

"Don't be stupid. Since when it's matter if they're in good or bad term? The strongest will rules."

Strength made might. For vampires, it worked literally. That was why caste norm based on blood remained within society. Royal blood held strongest power. Many of royals born with gift, some supranatural power that allow ones to create a phenomenon, like controlling wind or fire. While the true nature of the gift those royals held remained hidden to some extent, there were people who witnessed them in action. And rumour would spread nevertheless.

Still, not all rumours were true. As the same time, not all of them were baseless. The young commander, Luke Evander was known as Storm God while prince Aaron was called as Beast of Darkness. As for prince Lucas, who didn't involve in many battles, the gift had not revealed yet. Rumour said he had a strong gift, presumably in the same kind of the king's gift, telekinetic ability. Same case for prince Damian who appeared to live carefree.

As for the crown prince, there were several battles where people get to witness his gift. They said it was undoubtedly one of the strongest gifts, although no one sure of its true nature. According to rumour spread from witnesses, crown prince gift allowed him to control several elements. Thus, he got nicknamed as King of Elementals.

"Let's betting for the winner then. I'll bet fifty dollars for prince Aaron," declared a bearded man.

"Sixty for the young commander."

"Then, one hundred for the Northern Ruler, prince Lucas."

"Five hundred for the crown prince." A hooded tall man chimed in. This muscular figure suddenly stood next to this crowd table after hearing they make a bet.

"Hey, hey, young man. I see you got a fatty pocket. But a bit of kind advice: just bet on another prince. The one you wager is nowhere to be found. Not to mention, there are many bad rumours about him. Better call it off now."

The man gave no respond, he simply wrote his name on a paper where the crowd write down gamble participants. The crowd stared at him in awe and curiosity. For most of them, wagering on the crown prince whose position only get worse as time passed was a fool game. But someone apparently did. They saw the man walked out of the bar with eyes full of sympathy, like they just witnessed a person who had given up on his own life.

***

The hooded tall man went into a narrow path between some old buildings. He walked down a stair and entered a small pub with eerie interior. It had a rather bad lightning, with stone wall that was left naked with no paint or wallpaper. The furniture inside mainly made of wood, yet they had pitch black colour.

The man sat on one of seats in front of the counter. Then he ordered usual drink. An old bartender stood in the opposite side of counter moved aside and prepared the drink without saying anything. Right when the drink was served, another customer came in. His face was also covered in hood. But his emerald eyes glowed under his dark brown bangs. He ordered usual drink and sat right next to the tall man.

"Have you never bored with that bitter cocktail?"

The tall man snorted. "You too never bored with the same whiskey."

"That's for sure. I love sweet things," said the emerald eyed man cheerfully while his drink was served. "By the way, I never know that you like gambling".

The tall man aware that his company was talking about the wager just now.

"I'm not."

"Heh? Then why did you make such a big wager?"

The tall man gave no answer. His eyes stared at the glass in hand as if he was trying to look for an answer there.

"It's not like you to wander on that kind of place. You know people in such crowded place would be parroting any rumour came to their ears. Why did you go?"

"I … tried to copy you. Gathering information from the crowd."

"Pfffttt …. Bwahaha."

The tall man brought one of his hands and covered his face. "Never expect it to be tough."

Emerald eyed man wiped some tears from corners of his eyes that welled up as he laughed out loud. "Now, would you have more respect for me?"

The tall man snorted. "I'll think about it." He then gulped down his drink. "By the way, how's your trip?"

"Hmm? It's wonderful. I got to meet like hundreds of beautiful ladies each month. Like a heaven, literally."

"I have no interest in women. Can't you just cut to the case?"

"You really sounded like him just now. What, is it deliberate?"

"Negative. It's your fault for talking too much nonsense."

"It's not nonsense. It's my way to get the right sense."

Perhaps upon noticed some twitch in the tall man's temple, the emerald eyed guy stopped playing around.

"To tell the truth, I got almost no clue whatsoever. But I found an interesting place and I think I'll try digging up information from there."

"So, you are not getting any order either, right?"

"Why do you sound happy about it?"

Unable to answer, the tall man gulped down the last of his drink. Not even he knew exactly why. But, he figured, if only his companion get order while he get nothing, he would fall to absolute depression. After all, he had decided to dedicate his life for his lord.

"Anyway, that's it. I'll need to stay there for quite a while. So, I figured you're gonna miss me a lot. And that's why I called you here."

"The hell 'miss me a lot'." The man let out a long sigh. His companion's character had been so twisted, even more than before. "Then, I better go back now."

"What? Already? Were you even listening to me? I won't be able to come for a long time."

"That's fine by me."

"Eeh … so cold …" lamented the emerald eyed man. He then focusing his eyes on the golden coloured whiskey in his glass, until he suddenly remembered something and called his companion. "Oh, Zane, you needn't worry about the wager."

The tall man stopped right before the door, replied without turning his head. "I'm not."

The lips curled up similarly on their faces. It was the only thing where they could be like-minded. The faith on their lord's victory.

***