A King Without Crown

The Kingdom of Blood, once known for being moderately prosperous, was currently in chaos that seemed to be endless. The streets were immersed in a thick, dark fog that barely allowed you to see the houses a few meters away from you.

Fear and hunger plagued the inhabitants of this kingdom, who did not leave their homes to buy food for fear of being devoured by the vampires who roamed the desolate streets.

"What a beautiful day..." said Varión, seeing the fog that covered the entire kingdom. "Could there be anything better?" he asked into the nothingness and then looked at the castle in the distance, apparently the fog could not cover his vision in the slightest. "Yes, a castle for a King like me."

Varión walked through the streets of the city, making his silver armor sound with each step he took. A few steps away from him were three vampires waiting for him, two of them looked calm and had a certain elegance, the last one was the vampire who had been sent to find the girl that Varión was looking for, Rhonna.

-My King!- the three of them bowed at the same time, causing a slight smile to form on Varión.

-Now, now, now. That's enough, get up- ordered Varión, seeing the three standing upright Varión looked directly at the vampire who had gone to look for Rhonna and indicated with a hand movement for him to speak, but seeing that the vampire did not understand he spoke directly to him -Well, filthy. Where is the girl?- asked Varión looking at the vampire with a little disgust.

-I'm sorry my king, apparently the rumors were true, Conner was taking care of the house- clarified the vampire -he revealed that the girl is no longer in the kingdom or anywhere nearby-

-Ach, you can't be entrusted with anything, useless- said Varion angrily then he gestured to the vampire to leave but the vampire didn't understand again -Get out of my sight!... What's wrong with you, did vampirization make you imbeciles or what?- asked Varion irritated -I really can't handle you...- he whispered

-I'm sorry about that my King- said the vampire who was watching with Varion and the other vampire as the vampire that Varion had just dismissed walked away.

The 3 of them watched the vampire arrive with what they thought was his squad and for some reason they all looked strangely idiotic. Some more than others.

-Hendrick infected those, right? Make sure he doesn't infect anyone again, he picks out idiots- ordered Varion -even the most uncivilized vampires can follow simple orders-

-of course my King- said the vampire

-this has made me remember, Jenna, how is the progress of the most uncivilized vampires? Have they shown progress?- asked Varion.

His vampire army was composed of a hierarchy of 5 levels, being the top and known as a royal vampire or royal vampire. Then there are the two vampires that were in front of him, Jenna and Grog, known as first generation vampires. Then there are the second generation vampires and so on.

-no sir, it seems your speculation was correct. The only way for a vampire to increase in level is by consuming other vampires- answered Jenna.

-The only improvements we've seen are in a vampire named Racket, he had a fight with another vampire and ended up absorbing his blood and magic- continued Grog -Apparently this helps to make a vampire's blood purer, making them stronger-

-*sigh* Anyway, we'll see about that later- said Varión -What I want you to do now is prioritize taking control of the kingdom and finding the girl. I want you to bring me that girl, dead or alive!-

Varion walked away quickly while his cape billowed in the air giving him a dramatic appearance.

-Our King has certain... mannerisms- said Grog as he watched Varion leave.

Jenna looked at him with a furious look and grabbed him by his armor bringing him closer to her to headbutt him in the nose and throw him to the ground.

-Don't you dare talk about my king again... even if it's true, you don't have the right to talk about our King- she threatened Jenna angrily.

Jenna was about to go after Varion, but she looked at Grog lying on the ground and got angry again. Jenna turned around and kicked him with her pointed heels right in the abdomen, sending Grog with great force against one of the houses.

-Mph, bastard- said Jenna turning in the direction where Varion left.

-Ugh! Thank goodness I'm immortal... - Grog said to himself, emerging from the rubble of the house as he watched the hole in his abdomen close at high speed but leaving a scar on it - or almost? -

Grog emerged from the rubble and turned into a cloud of black ashes which quickly headed towards Jenna's side where it gathered again and transformed into Grog.

- Will we organize a search party for the girl? - Grog asked as if nothing had happened.

- Definitely. Send a group of 5 level 2 vampires, the girl must be found at all costs - Jenna stated as she clenched her fists so hard that she ended up jamming her nails - As for conquering this kingdom, you and I will do it in person. We can't leave our king without a crown, right? -

Grog nodded at Jenna's words and turned into a cloud of ashes and left at high speed towards the depths of the city. The cloud entered the sewers, heading down an underground path until it reached what seemed to be a large room full of vampires who did nothing but fight and reaffirm their power over other vampires.

The cloud gathered together, transforming into Grog, who looked angry but in his smile you could see a hint of amusement.

-Let's see, you bunch of useless people, we have a new mission for you! - Grog shouted, drawing attention -I want 5 level two vampires to step forward, today is the day you can please your king! - Grog announced

Without much delay, 5 vampires stood in front of Grog, their simple appearances showed a great contrast compared to the other vampires, they looked like high-class warriors, almost like guards of the nobility.

-Well... you will serve. Your mission will be outside the city, so you will not be protected by the magical mist of the king of sunlight. And although sunlight doesn't kill you, it does weaken you, so I recommend that if you have to fight, do it at night or in a completely dark place, understand? - asked Grog

The 5 vampires nodded quickly, on their faces you could see the excitement and the desire to go out, especially on Racket's, who had recently ascended to level two.

-Sonia, you will be the leader of this team. Make sure you bring that girl no matter what happens, it doesn't matter if you bring her to me dead- ordered Grog as he turned around and walked towards the exit of the room, stopping right at the entrance and giving one last order -The others prepare, tonight we will launch another attack on the kingdom-

Then Grog disappeared in a cloud of ashes leaving all the vampires excited, especially the 5 level two vampires.

The 5 vampires were talking to each other excitedly, they all wanted to have a chance to impress the king and thus be able to receive his blood and become purer.

-Did you see how Mr. Grog disappeared?- asked Deck

-Yes, only level ones can do such things- answered Reynold -I can barely control my flight-

Racket, who had been very quiet, was thinking about all the possibilities that this exploration could bring. When he ascended to level two he realized that the purer a vampire was, the stronger he became and the more abilities he obtained. Before he only had the basic abilities of a vampire, super senses, super physique and more powerful magic, but when he ascended to level two he obtained the ability to fly, become invisible, he could heal faster and also all his previous abilities tripled and now he could survive in sunlight although he weakened a lot.

Racket thought that if he ascended to level one he could do the same things that Grog and Jenna do like turn into ashes, summon the mist, merge with the shadows and be able to regenerate parts of his body. Before Racket could continue lost in his thoughts Sonia spoke bringing him back to reality.

-You heard Mr. Grog, take your weapons and let's meet at the entrance in half an hour, not a second late- Sonia ordered.

Sonia approached the exit and turned to see her companions, telling her to hurry up and then leave at high speed, leaving behind only a small silhouette where she was.

-Sonia is a beast, if someone goes up to level one it will undoubtedly be her- affirmed Reynold

-tch, it's nothing. We can all do the same- answered Deck with a little displeasure.

-can we?- asked Collin, finally deciding to speak

Deck didn't answer the question and simply looked where Sonia had gone, even though he didn't like Sonia at all, he knew that they were on completely different levels of strength, but he would never accept that.