SKARMAGEDDON

In the millennia that passed since Kaizer's disappearance, Sanguine City underwent a remarkable transformation into a technological marvel fueled by Blood Technology. Kaizer's memory faded into obscurity, forgotten by Vampire Society. The populace of New Sanguine City, now dominated in numbers by Ascended Vampires, and ruled by the original Noble Vampires, saw unprecedented power and prosperity through the transformative capabilities of Blood Tech. 

Humans, once prey, now live within a secure compound, leading relatively ordinary lives during daylight hours as essential members of the city's workforce. 

In the sequel to "Shadows of Sanguine," the Vampire princess Darcia embarks on a perilous journey haunted by a Curse, a consequence of her grief over the loss of Kaizer, the Lost Child of Nocturnastra. Bound by a mechanical muzzle that evokes a skeletal grin and cursed with hair turned white and eyes ablaze with fiery red, Darcia's constant pain is a testament to her refusal to feed. Her power wanes, and the only hope for salvation lies in reuniting with her lost love.

As Darcia navigates the streets and alleys of New Sanguine City, she seeks to uncover the truth behind Blood Technology, for she finds it peculiar how the advent of Blood Tech severed the traditional link between Vampires and their primal need for Human blood, and it came almost right after Kaizer's disappearance. Darcia becomes the linchpin of a secretive resistance group known as "The Kaizer Project." Led by the rebel princess, the group seeks to unveil the mysteries shrouding the technological advancements in Vampire Society and discover Kaizer Anderson's whereabouts.

Darcia faces a dual challenge as a looming threat emerges from the Underworld. Alessia, concealed in the depths of Acheron, stirs with a strengthening Curse. Meanwhile, Isyra's prophecy predicts an apocalypse, fueled by the fear of Alessia's potential escape.

Darcia's path is fraught with peril as she confronts not only the supernatural forces within New Sanguine City but also the relentless pursuit of her mother, Queen Hundred, the Noble families, Elites, and The Cauldron. Exiled from Vampire Society and branded a wanted criminal, Darcia must navigate her operations with utmost discretion, with every move calculated to avoid the watchful eyes of those who would see her destroyed.

Leading the "Kaizer Project", she grapples with immediate challenges in New Sanguine City while contending with cosmic forces that threaten chaos against Sanguine and the Overworld as well. Amidst the struggle for truth and the quest for Kaizer, the characters navigate a perilous landscape of Vampires, prophecies, and the supernatural, facing an uncertain future.

With her fate entwined with Kaizer's, Darcia faces a race against time, battling not only the formidable challenges of the Vampire hierarchy but also the debilitating effects of her Curse. Can she overcome the shadows of her past, break the Curse, and reunite with Kaizer to alter the destiny of Sanguine forever? The sequel unveils a gripping narrative of love, rebellion, and the quest for truth in the mysterious depths of the Vampire underworld.

Asher, an Ascended Vampire residing in the gritty corners of Sanguine City's ghetto, dreams of escaping the shadows and ascending to Elite status. Living in a cramped apartment with his sassy roommate, Celeste, a dark fairy, Asher works as a mercenary, taking on dangerous assignments for Nobles and Elites in hopes of climbing the social ladder.

Despite his lethal skills, Asher finds himself stuck in the underbelly of Sanguine society, struggling to earn the coveted ascension in rank. His mundane life takes an unexpected turn when his boss, a member of the secretive Cauldron organization, assigns him a mission to capture individuals associated with the Kaizer Project.

Cursed Girl

Arriving at the Unity Hot Springs, we presented our cards to the Elemental Salamander overseeing the area. He scrutinized us.

"Enjoy. Please keep in mind that the pools on the left side allow nudity."

The Elemental Salamander offered an odd smile, and I awkwardly reciprocated. Observing the hot spring, steam rising from the water's surface, I decided to embrace the freedom it promised. Undressing, I let the air caress my skin and, with a deep breath, slowly descended into the warm, relaxing water. Glancing at my friends, Iris confidently joined me in the same pool, while Isyra opted for the anti-nudity section. Zachary hesitated, blushing, as Iris and I exchanged a laugh.

"Zachary, are you gonna get in?" Iris called out.

Attempting to act casual, he pretended to stretch his legs with awkward lunges, eliciting laughter from us.

"Zachary, don't be weird about it! Are you not a Vampire, like us? Your body even looks like a Vampire's now! Act like it!" I advised.

Iris teased, "Yeah, get naked for us, Zachy-boy."

"Fine, fine, whatever," Zachary grumbled, undressing, revealing his muscular physique and an unexpected appendage.

"Oh…" Iris expressed her surprise.

He entered the water, sighing in relief. "So warm… I needed this."

"We all needed this. This end-of-the-world gig is draining. Hard to sleep, you know?" Iris sighed.

I agreed, wading my arms through the water. "Me too, Iris. It's only been about six weeks, and I'm starting to feel like we can do this. Shadowpaw is working hard, all for us. I can feel his determination — and with that, we might not even need 6 months."

Iris nodded, smirking. "I wonder how that conversation went."

Curious, I asked, "What conversation?"

"The one between Alessia and Isyra."

We shared an amused smile, but Zachary's gasp diverted our attention. He pointed to a different pool, occupied by Ascended Vampires, including the one who had arrested us.

"Is that the guy who arrested us?" I asked, my heart racing.

"Yeah. That's the one," Iris confirmed.

"We have to go, Darcia," Zachary urged. "If he sees us, he'll call the authorities."

"Fuck the authorities," Iris declared, conjuring a blood bow and arrow. "No need to run from the Ascended Vampires, they're all weak. I've been wanting to give this guy what he deserves."

A blood arrow shot toward Asher, but a shadowy tendril emerged from his back, snapping it in half. The mist dispersed, and Asher's red eyes turned towards us.

"That can't be good," Zachary observed.

Nevertheless, he remained unresponsive. Asher's eyes glazed over us, and he carried on conversing with his companions as if our presence hadn't registered.

We all exchanged confused glances, and Zachary shrugged.

"I guess… he doesn't care about capturing us anymore?"

"I guess not…" Iris murmured, watching Asher intently.

"Maybe he got fired," I said. "I mean, we did get away, after all."

Iris smirked, nodding. "I'd like that to be true. Yeah, let's go with that."

Laughter echoed, and Iris playfully splashed in my direction. Despite the lingering uncertainty in my mind, her presence brought comfort. The spa, too, worked its magic, helping to clear my head.

Good Riddance