CHAPTER 30: A NEW UNIVERSE AWAITS

The next universe we must travel to is Universe 1266," Jokan announced, his voice resonating with authority. He stood tall among the gathering of gods, his divine aura illuminating the chamber like a thousand suns.

Jolee, the Goddess of Destruction and Jokan's sister, raised an eyebrow. "What is the state of this universe, brother? Surely it cannot be as dire as the last?"

As the gods gathered, a sens!e of foreboding filled the air. Universe 1266 was ruled over by a pack of wolves that called themselves the Gold Paw Pack. They were so fierce that they had almost wiped out all vampires from their universe, and now they had started attacking humans.

"Does anyone have a solution as to what we should do with this planet?" Eagle, the God of Life, asked, concern etched on his face. His twin brother, Falcon, stood stoic beside him, his gaze distant.

"I say we just destroy it. Yet another universe that has no respect for the sanctity of life. I vote for destruction," Jokan said, anger flaring in his eyes.

"I second that vote," Meco added with a frown, his fingers tapping restlessly against the armrest of his celestial throne.

"Hey, wait a minute! Didn't we just agree that we would send a guardian to at least try to save the planet?" Falcon interjected with an eerie expression. His voice was chilling, yet there was a hint of curiosity in it.

James, the God of Universal Travel, looked at his friends Maxwell and Tanya, who had been listening intently. "Alright, you two are up. Remember, you only have one year to save this universe. If you can't, don't blame yourselves, because with destruction comes creation; we would just start anew," Jokan said with an encouraging smile, his eyes glinting with hope.

Maxwell Campina, the pure-blood vampire, exchanged a glance with his wife, Tanya Blood-fallen, a half-angel, half-vampire. Both nodded in determination. They had faced numerous battles together, but this one felt different. The weight of the universe rested on their shoulders.

As Maxwell and Tanya arrived on the planet, they were immediately confronted by five werewolves attacking some villagers in a clearing.

"Hey! Stop that! Leave those people alone!" Tanya shouted, her voice firm and unwavering. The villagers cowered behind trees, their faces pale and filled with fear.

"Well, well, a beautiful woman trying to tell us what to do," one of the wolves sneered, his teeth bared in a menacing grin. He transformed back into a human, swaggering over to Maxwell and Tanya. "Hey, pretty lady, my name is Earl, I am a pure-blood wolf. Why don't you ditch that string bean and come hang out with the real boys?" he taunted, the other wolves closing in around them.

Maxwell's eyes narrowed. "Not a chance, wolf. We're here to protect these people, not to play games with scum like you."

In an instant, Maxwell sprang into action. With a swift movement, he dispatched four of the wolves with lethal precision, leaving only one quivering in fear.

"What the hell are you? You can't be human! You're a vampire, aren't you? Aren't you guys supposed to be weaker than us?" Earl gasped, struggling to breathe as Maxwell lifted him off the ground by the throat.

"You wanted to know who I am? I am a pure-blood vampire. The son of Dracula. I am a true fucking vampire," Maxwell declared fiercely, his eyes burning with intensity. He then released Earl, who stumbled back, horror written across his face.

"Deliver this message to your comrades: these people are now under my protection. If I find any wolf attacking them again, I will kill them without mercy."

"You haven't heard the last of me! I will be back with numbers!" Earl spat defiantly as he fled howling into the distance.

"Thank you, sir, for saving us," a young villager named Jake stepped forward, his voice trembling. "Is it true that you are really a vampire? Because from what I know about vampires, they can't walk in the sunlight."

"That is just a myth," Maxwell replied, a confident smirk on his face.

"Don't feed his ego, please," Tanya said, rolling her eyes, but a smile crept on her lips.

Meanwhile, high above in a floating castle, the gods watched Maxwell and Tanya as they interacted with the people on the planet.

"What are they doing? They are supposed to be saving this planet, not killing its inhabitants. Not that I'm mine because those fools deserve to die," Falcon said indifferently, his expression unchanging.

"Hey, give them some time! They have only just arrived," Meco replied, his patience evident as he observed the unfolding events.

Jake led Maxwell and Tanya to the village elder.

"It's an honor to meet the ones who saved my people! My name is Roman, and I must trouble you for one more thing." He knelt before Maxwell and Tanya. "Please, great warriors, stay and continue to protect us from the wolves," Roman cried, desperation in his voice.

"I'm sorry, but we can't stay here forever. But we can train you to defend yourselves," Tanya said with a smile, her heart swelling with compassion.

When the villagers heard this, they buzzed with excitement. Hope flickered in their eyes for the first time in weeks.

Three weeks passed as Maxwell and Tanya gathered villagers to train. They taught them combat techniques, self-defense, and how to harness their inner strength. The villagers transformed from fearful bystanders into fierce protectors of their land, and Maxwell and Tanya felt a growing sense of pride in their progress.

But just as hope began to blossom, Earl returned with fifty wolves at his side, their snarls echoing through the village like a death knell.

"Looks like the little village has found themselves some heroes," Earl jeered, his voice dripping with malice. "But you won't be able to protect them this time. We're here to take back what's ours!"

Maxwell stood tall in front of the villagers, his heart racing with adrenaline. "You'll have to get through me first!"

The villagers rallied behind him, their faces set with determination. They had trained hard, and now they were ready to stand their ground.

A fierce battle erupted, the clash of claws against steel reverberating through the air. Maxwell and Tanya fought valiantly, their movements a perfect dance of combat as they protected their newfound allies.

The villagers, emboldened by Maxwell and Tanya's bravery, fought back fiercely. They remembered the lessons learned, using their newfound skills to hold their ground against the ferocious wolves. Fear turned to courage as they defended their home, the bond of community strengthening their resolve.

In a climactic battle, the Gold Paw Pack was finally driven away, the villagers shouting in triumph as the wolves fled into the forest.

"Congratulations, Tanya and Maxwell! You have done a fantastic job in saving this universe from destruction," Jokan proclaimed, pride evident in his voice as he descended from the floating castle. "However, there are plenty more universes out there that need help just like this one."

Maxwell and Tanya exchanged glances, their hearts swelling with accomplishment. They had faced their fears, battled darkness, and emerged victorious, but they knew their journey was far from over.

"Thank you, Jokan," Tanya said, her voice steady. "We will continue to fight for those who cannot protect themselves."

"Then the next step is to prepare for your next mission," Jokan replied, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

As they prepared for their next adventure, Maxwell and Tanya looked back at the villagers they had fought so hard to protect. They knew they had forged bonds that would last a lifetime, and their hearts were filled with hope for the future.

As they stepped into the portal that would take them to the next universe, they held hands tightly, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

To be continued....