CHAPTER 16: TWO HALVES MAKE A WHOLE:

Back in the depths of Alun's outpost, the red portal closed with a resounding crack, and Alun stood alone. Suddenly, he was attacked by a young vampire dressed in a flowing red robe, adorned with intricate patterns that shimmered ominously in the dim light.

"Alexander Bloodlan! Is that you? Why are you here?" Alun asked, frowning as he regained his footing.

"If you know it's me, then you should know why I am here. It's time for my father to rise again," Alexander declared with a wicked smile.

"No! Did... Did Dacardly send you here?" Alun gasped, his heart pounding with fear.

"This madness, I would never allow it," Alun said, his voice trembling.

In a flash, Alexander rushed forward and knocked Alun out cold.

"You don't have much of a choice," Alexander said, lifting Alun's unconscious form over his shoulder. "Time to bring back the king."

Back at the main branch of High House, the council members were in a state of panic.

"This isn't good; if it was just Alexi alone, we would be able to handle him, but Marcus is almost free as well. We need to leave," Jake said, urgency in his tone.

Peter slammed his fist on the table, frustration evident on his face. "We can't just leave! What about all the work we've put into taking over this place?"

Natly glared at Peter, her patience wearing thin. "You stupid idiot, we are going to leave Dacardly in charge. It's the only option we have left."

After a brief discussion filled with heated words and accusations, all seven council members boarded their shuttle, flying away from the crumbling stronghold of High House.

As the shuttle soared through the vastness of space, the council members contemplated their next move. The tension hung thick in the air, each of them wrestling with the fear of there past sins coming back to bite them in the ass.

"We need to regroup and devise a plan to stop Alexi and his allies," Natly declared, her voice steady despite the chaos that surrounded them.

"I have contacts in the outer realms; maybe we can rally some support," Patrick suggested, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Don't forget, we have enemies lurking in the shadows. Alun is still out there, feeding information to Alexi's group," Jake reminded them.

"Let them come. We have the advantage of numbers and resources," Peter said confidently, trying to reassure the others.

"Numbers mean nothing if they are not loyal," Natly retorted sharply. "We need to be strategic. And we need to find Marcus before he unites with Alexi."

Meanwhile, after the council members left, Alexander arrived at the High House main branch with Alun. He took him to Dacardly, who was waiting eagerly.

"Well done, Alexander! Put him down here on the ground," Dacardly said with a grin.

At that moment, Alun began to stir, consciousness returning to him.

"Dacardly! Stop, please! We shouldn't bring him back," Alun gasped, fear evident in his voice.

But before he could finish, Dacardly rushed forward and killed Alun with a swift, merciless motion.

"Now two halves shall become one," Dacardly said as he and Alun began to fuse together in a flashing red light. A man with black hair and red and blue eyes stepped out—a perfect fusion of both halves.

"Father, welcome back," Alexander said with a smile, then turning to the other vampires. "All hail Dracula, the vampire king!"

All at once, five thousand vampires knelt down in reverence.

Dracula looked around and smiled, his presence commanding. "It's good to be back, and the first thing we are going to do is destroy the Kingdom of Lightmit."

In the Kingdom of Lightmit, the citizens were blissfully unaware of the impending doom that approached. The sun shone brightly, illuminating the streets as families went about their daily lives. But the peace was about to be shattered.

A scout rushed into the castle, breathless and wide-eyed, urgency written all over his face. "Your Majesty! The vampires are coming! They're gathering outside the kingdom!"

King Scott Roaring Good-heart stood at the castle's ramparts, his heart pounding in his chest. "Ready the defenses!" he ordered, his voice steady despite the fear that coursed through him.

As the first wave of vampires crashed against the gates, the kingdom's defenders stood resolute, arrows nocked and swords drawn. The clash of steel against fangs echoed through the night, the air thick with the scent of blood and the cries of battle.

Dracula watched from above, a wicked smile on his lips. "Let the games begin!" he roared, relishing the chaos that unfolded before him.

Back in the Outer Realms, the council members had reached a hidden enclave, a sanctuary for those who would kill for the right price. They were greeted by a group of fierce warriors, each one marked by the scars of battle.

"Welcome, council of High House," the leader, a formidable woman named Jane, greeted them. "We were not expecting you."

Jake stepped forward, urgency in his tone. "We require your aid to kill two people, so name your price; we have enough money to pay."

Jane's eyes narrowed. "I never thought I would see the day that the High and Mighty Council of High House would come to us for help," she shouted, and all the warriors started laughing. "Who is it you would like us to kill?" she asked with a sneer.

Rolan spoke up. "Their names are Alexi Centry and Marcus Millennium."

Jane sighed, her expression turning serious. "That is a request we cannot fulfill."

"Why the hell not? It's just a simple task, so why can't you do it?" Tana and Merry asked in unison, frustration evident.

Jane looked around at the warriors and spoke. "How many of you have been saved by Alexi Centry and Marcus Millennium?" Instantly, five hundred warriors raised their hands, including Jane. "This is why we cannot accept your requests. Now I think it's time for you all to leave."

Without another word, the council members left, their spirits low as they realized they had exhausted their options.

The only thing they could do now was, to return to their home planet of Celestian.

Back in the Kingdom of Lightmit, the sky darkened as Dracula's army descended upon the unsuspecting townsfolk. King Scott stood firm at the castle's ramparts, determination etched on his face.

"Ready the defenses!" he shouted, rallying his troops. The air crackled with tension as the vampires approached, their eyes glowing with hunger.

"Hold your ground!" Scott commanded, raising his sword. "We will not falter!"

As the armies clashed, the kingdom fought fiercely, but the sheer numbers of the vampires began to overwhelm them. Scott fought valiantly, but he could feel the weight of despair creeping in, the realization that they were outmatched.

"Fall back! Protect the civilians!" he ordered, recognizing that regrouping was their only chance to survive the onslaught.

However, it was futile. With a flick of his wrist, Dracula unleashed a bolt of red light that tore through the defenders, killing them instantly and obliterating the Kingdom of Lightmit in a single, devastating blow.

"I have done it; the Kingdom of Lightmit is no more," Dracula cheered, his laughter echoing through the desolation.

The vampires roared in triumph, celebrating their victory as the ashes of the kingdom swirled around them. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the ruins, a testament to the darkness that had consumed everything in its wake.