His name was Ryan, known as the Red Shadow, due to his crimson cape.

Ryan was the first person who ventured out of the city of light, to search for soul fragments of the lost.

He had one goal, to revive the one he loved.

After eons of travel, he was missing just one soul piece. After eons, he still didn't give up and forget.

Ryan traveled to the boundary of the unknown. He stood in the middle of a pool of blood. The sky was red and a cyan sun was setting down.

Ryan approached an ancient structure made of white marble and surrounded by pillars. He looked at his compass, the last fragment was there.

"Don't enter." - Twelve voices called the man.

Ryan looked at ripples in the blood, from beneath it emerged twelve faces with long, lush white hair. Their eyelids were shut by sewed threads.

Ryan prepared his axe and shield. He sensed the smell of a monster.

Twelve silhouettes fully emerged, their beauty was beyond this world, but their presence would fill anyone, even the hero – Ryan, with dread. He knew their pale skin and long, steel fingers. They were lesser vampires.

"Let me pass. I wish not to disturb your slumber." - Ryan was wary, he knew how hard a fight would be.

"She does not welcome you." - Twelve voices answered.

"I know." - Ryan answered. - "But I'm looking for the last fragment of the soul of my dearest one."

Twelve voices were silent and looked at each other, then six disappeared underneath the pool of blood.

"We value your efforts." - Remaining voices answered. - "We will allow you to pass, but under one condition."

Ryan nodded and waited.

"You may not touch or harm our lady." - The voices demanded.

Ryan nodded. - "I swear, on the honor of a warrior."

"Swear on the love of your dearest one." - A single voice from the temple instructed.

Ryan hesitated, but the risk in the refusal was too high. He didn't come this far just to die. - "I swear."

The six figures moved aside and Ryan could enter.

"Welcome to my domain, traveler. I know the reason you come." - A sweet voice welcomed Ryan from her throne.

"I've come to bargain." - The warrior responded.

"You, a hero, want to bargain with the fallen ones?" - Vampire queen's lips formed a vile smirk. - "Marvelous... state your offer."

"I will... give my life." - Ryan was resolute.

"Ohh... a declaration worthy of a hero... I see you hesitate, but what you give is not enough..." - The vampire revealed its two upper fangs and licked her lip seductively.

"Don't play any games with me!" - Ryan's hand quickly moved to his axe, but before it reached it, the vampire pointed her finger at an axe and a ray of violet struck it. The weapon melted into liquid silver.

"You fail to understand. The ending, where after all these years you two are separated, won't satisfy me."

"What do you want, then, foul beast!?" - Ryan answered in a challenging tone.

"Ohh... how rude... and I only want to help you."

Ryan remained unmoved.

"It's simple... we will form a soul contract that you can't break. You will have a child, and bring me your first newborn."

Ryan's face froze in terror. - "I... I will never do that."

"Would you rather, die here... after all these years of search and struggle? Will you let your efforts be gone in vain?"

"I will find a way... If I have to... but don't make me."

"My, my. Just as a hero would say. The famous Red Shadow..." - The vampire pointed her finger at Ryan. - "...would you like these to be your last words?"

Ryan bit his tongue and clenched fists, his mind was clogged.

"That child, will either be mine or never be born... think about it, could my wish really be a fate worse than at least two people not coming to life."

"I..." - Ryan couldn't speak. - "I... won't let my child become your mindless servant."

"You seem to undervalue the loyalty of my subjects. It seems like we won't come to an agreement." - The vampire feigned sadness and flicked her fingers. A pillar of blood erupted in the place where Ryan was standing.

The vampire's bored look turned into light surprise when she noticed that Ryan survived, surrounded by a sphere of silver fluid. There was a small silhouette next to him. - "Ohh... and you... are?"

"I apologize, but my name must remain unspoken." - The small character responded.

"I see... but I think that I may know who you are. What do you want here, monster?" - The vampire asked.

"A happy ending." - The monster lifted its pointy hat, revealing its white hair.- "Do you remember me?"

Eons have passed, but the vampire remembered. - "I do. Are you happy with what you had created, monster?"

The monster hid its face in the shadow of its hat again, not answering.

"You could always stop me. You didn't."

The monster remained silent. It suffered.

"I am the monster you've made. You know my deeds, what will you do? You can't change me, you can't cage me, you can't kill me. If you do, I always win, his love will never come back."

"The contract is already accepted." - The monster replied.

"What!?" - Ryan looked at his forearm, there was a symbol similar to a tear, surrounded by glyphs.

The vampire checked her own arm, she was delighted.

"What have you done!?" - Ryan despaired. - "I never accepted this! Reverse it!"

"I... I can't." - The monster replied. - "It is irreversible."

Tears started rolling down Ryan's cheeks as he fell to his knees. - "No."

"I won't let her hurt your child. That's all I can do." - The monster spoke, but its face was gloomy. It summoned a portal, then vanished.