Chapter 34:A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE
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Chapter 34: A Dangerous Alliance
The tension in the air was thick as Rio stood his ground before the vampire lord. The faint rumbling beneath the castle had grown stronger, and Iris's eyes narrowed as her beast vision locked onto the source.
"Rio," she murmured, her voice sharp, "the energy is… unstable. Whatever's down there… it's waking up."
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Unveiling the Threat
The ground trembled beneath their feet. A low, guttural growl echoed through the air, sending chills down their spines. The earth beneath the ruined castle cracked, and from the depths emerged a colossal figure—an ancient abomination.
An Abyssal Ghoul.
Its form was monstrous—towering over them with rotting flesh fused with dark magic, its hollow eyes glowing with unholy power. Chains of cursed energy bound it to the castle's core, but they were weakening.
"By the gods…" Retina whispered, her face paling. "That's… not something we want to fight."
Even the vampire lord's confident smirk wavered. "The Abyssal Ghoul… I sealed it centuries ago."
"Looks like it's waking up," Rio said grimly. "And if it breaks free…"
"Not just this castle," the vampire lord murmured, his tone grim. "The entire territory will fall."
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The Truth Revealed
Rio exhaled, his mind racing. He knew they couldn't let the creature escape, but this was his moment to shift the balance of power.
"Vampire lord," Rio spoke, his voice steady, "we're not your enemies. We ended up here by mistake."
The vampire lord's eyes narrowed. "A mistake?"
"We're traveling to the Land of Demons," Rio continued smoothly. "Our goal is to confront the Demon Lord."
At the mention of the Demon Lord, the vampire lord's expression darkened, his eyes burning with hatred.
"The Demon Lord…" His voice was filled with venom. "That beast has tormented us for centuries. My kin… slaughtered. Our kingdom… reduced to ashes."
Retina's eyes widened. "You… fought the demons before?"
"Many times." The vampire lord's jaw clenched. "And we lost. Every. Single. Time." His eyes gleamed with unrelenting hatred. "We have waited for an opportunity to exact our revenge."
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Rio's Plan: A Dangerous Gamble
This is it. Rio's mind worked at lightning speed. If they hate the demons… we can use that.
Rio's eyes met the vampire lord's. "What if I told you… we could help you get that revenge?"
The vampire lord's expression shifted, a mix of intrigue and suspicion. "And why… would you do that?"
"Because our goals align," Rio replied smoothly. "The Demon Lord is our enemy too. But we can't face him alone."
The vampire lord's eyes narrowed. "What are you proposing, mortal?"
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The Plan: A Deadly Alliance
Rio's plan was already forming in his mind. He spoke with unwavering confidence.
"We form an alliance," Rio said firmly. "Your forces… and ours. Together, we stand a chance."
The vampire lord raised an eyebrow. "An alliance with mortals and beasts?"
"Not just any mortals." Rio's gaze was sharp. "We defeated a high-level dragon. We destroyed your castle. And we're standing here… alive."
The vampire lord's lips curled into a dark smile. "You make a compelling argument… but why should I trust you?"
"Because," Rio said, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous promise, "if we fail… the Demon Lord wins. And you'll never get your revenge."
The vampire lord's eyes gleamed as he weighed the possibilities. The hatred for the Demon Lord was too deep, too consuming. He couldn't ignore the opportunity.
"And if we succeed?" the vampire lord asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Then the land of demons will fall," Rio said, his eyes burning with determination. "And your revenge will be complete."
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A Risky Bargain
The vampire lord's gaze lingered on Rio, searching for any sign of deceit. But Rio's confidence was unwavering.
"Very well…" The vampire lord's smirk returned, but his tone was deadly. "But if you betray me…"
"We won't," Rio promised, his jaw set. "We need each other."
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A Dangerous Deal Sealed
The vampire lord extended his hand, his crimson eyes glowing with ancient power.
"Then we have an accord."
Rio met his gaze, his own eyes gleaming with resolve. He clasped the vampire lord's hand, feeling the weight of the deal they had just struck.
This is a gamble… Rio thought, but if it works…
"The Demon Lord won't know what hit him."
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