Three days went by when Kaden found himself trudging through a snowy pine forest to Demons peak. He and the other master Knights were deep in the nation of Zexus, far from it's capital.

Demon's Peak was nearly four more hours away on foot, the rendezvous point was three. The team had been told not to use too much mana or the gems they wore around their necks would break, allowing the Vympiri to smell their life force.

Kaden noticed Kariah-Belle glance his way through his peripheral. When he looked at her, she'd quickly avert her gaze. This had been going on since they left Nylin. Kaden thought it was weird, even for her. He started to ask her what was up but Lax-Rim spoke.

"Guys... I gotta take a leak. Be right back."

The young man disappeared behind a couple of trees.

"Ah, classic Lax-Rim." Kariah-Belle said with a small giggle. "He always did have a weak bladder."

Kaden knew the other young man and Kariah-Belle were childhood friends. If he remembered correctly, Lax-Rim​ had trained with Kariah-Belle using wooden swords when they were at the orphanage. Kaden could see why Kariah-Belle liked the red head. He was funny.

He knew both of them were going through a hard time with their former teammate being kidnapped only several months after another was killed. He was glad he could accompany them on this mission.

Kaden noticed Kariah-Belle staring at him yet again. Aya glanced his way too. Usually when they were out in the open, the two were vigilant.

"Alright," he said, getting ready to ask the two women what their deal was when they heard a rustle coming from a nearby bush.

The three watched the bush, their hands instantly on their weapons.

Out stepped Rygilya.

The olive-skinned Darkness Tamer gave an jagged smirk.

Kaden and Aya drew their weapons.

"What are you doing here, Rygilya?" Aya asked with her guns aimed at him.

"Wouldn't you like to kn—" Kariah-Belle interrupted the young man.

"Bastard!" She screamed as her mana flared to life around her.

Uh-oh. Kaden thought just as Kariah-Belle lunged.

She was upon Rygilya in seconds. Aya had shouted for her not to engage but she wasn't listening.

Kaden didn't blame her. He had been the one to kill her former squad leader after all.

Her sword clashed with his gauntlet, the storm cloud moving across it coursed with lightning upon impact.

"Jet! You murdered my friend!" Her arms pushed down on the hilt of her sword as she glared into his eyes.

She looked to be struggling. Rygilya however held his ground with little effort

"Jet?" Rygilya said, looking a bit confused. He then gave her a dull look. "Sorry. I don't remember every piece of trash I dispose of."

"Bastard!" Kariah-Belle snarled.

She spun on her heel and tried to kick Rygilya on the side of his head but he dodged effortlessly.

Dammit. Kaden thought as he activated his mana hull.

Rygilya was way out of her league. He had both stood with and against him so he knew first hand just how powerful the Darkness Tamer was.

Rygilya punched Kariah-Belle away just as Kaden was upon him.

He swung his blade.

"What the hell, Kaden?" Rygilya​ said with a condescending tone to his voice while easily dodging the strike.

The Knight felt the back of his rivals hand and was sent tumbling along the ground.

"Hey, hey, hey!" he said as Kaden recovered. "If you don't take me seriously, the Lightning Flame will be snuffed out here!"

He was right. Kaden knew if they held back than Rygilya would kill them even with their combined strength.

Lightning crackled around Kaden and a fire light his eyes while excitement rose within. Something that happens every time he faced his longtime rival in battle.

Rygilya grinned excitedly​, showing off his jagged teeth.

"Kaden!" Aya snapped before the young man could activate his Lightning Cloak. "Don't be foolish. If we go over the limit the gems will be useless. The mission will be botched. Is that really what you want Kariah-Belle?"

Kaden looked to Kariah who had gotten to her feet, her fingers wrapped around the gem necklace as if poised to snatch it off.

"Are you really going to leave your friend to the Vympiri for vengeance?" Aya asked her, her voice calm and even once again. "Is that what Jet would want?"

Even when things seemed as though they would fall apart, Aya seemed to have the ability to hold everything together. Just one of the reasons he admired his senior.

Kaden watched Kariah-Belle sheath her sword though her anger filled eyes never left Rygilya.

Kaden did the same. He'd settle things with Rygilya one of these days. It was inevitable after all.

"Vympiri?" Rygilya said watching Aya. "You're tracking Vympiri?"

"Yeah. What's it to you?" Kariah-Belle barked.

He smirked at her and the hazel-eyed young woman's hand flinched to her sword but a glare from Aya stopped her.

"We're heading to meet them now." Aya answered. "They have a comrades of ours."

"I see," Rygilya said. "Well they've got something I need too. I've been searching for nearly a year for Dracula's base. Leech scum. The lot of em."

"We don't know we're Dracula's base is located but maybe one of his underlings may know." Aya said approaching the Darkness Tamer.

"Aya," Kaden warned already knowing what she was about to say.

She ignored him and continued. "How about you join us? They have mature Vympiri. That could prove troublesome, even for you."

"What're you, crazy?! Absolutely not!" Kariah-Belle exclaimed. "No way am I working with him!"

"We may not have a choice!" Aya cracked. "Three days Riah. Who knows what awaits us at Demon's Peak." She peered at Rygilya. "We may end up needing him."

Kariah-Belle cursed. Aya was right and she new it. Kaden wished he could deny it but having a fighter like Rygilya could pay off big.

"So?" Aya prompted. "What do you say, Rygilya?"

Rygilya was quite for a moment as he pondered his options. The young man had always been arrogant but he was smart. He knew if there were mature Vympiri then he wouldn't survive alone. This may be his only lead to find Dracula's castle.

"Fine." He agreed. "But you pieces of trash better not slow me down."

Just like old times. Kaden thought. Kinda.

It was then that Lax-Rim appeared.

"Man, that was relieving." he said. "Sorry it took so long. I had to find a nice spot to drain the ol' pipes."

The redhead noticed Rygilya and his features twisted into rage.

"You!" He spat. His hand ignited into flames as he got into a stance. Ready to charge but was stopped.

"Lax-Rim." Aya said calmly. "He will be working with us from now until we rescue your friend."

Lax-Rim looked at her as if she had lost her mind. "Are you joking? That bastard killed my bro!"

"Lax-Rim..." Kariah-Belle looked to her.

"Riah... don't tell me you agreed to this?" he questioned, shock on his face.

She nodded.

"Come on, Ri! That bastard attacked our home! He murdered Jet! Or are we just going to forget that!?"

"Lax-Rim." The young woman said calmly. "I don't like it any more than you but we might need him. Right now, the only thing that matters is making sure another of our friends doesn't die."

Lax-Rim glared at Rygilya. Kaden understood his reluctance to work with the Darkness Tamer. To work with your enemy was a tough pill to swallow.

Lax-Rim lowered his hand. "Fine. But he makes one wrong move and I'll turn him to ash."

"As if you could, worm," Rygilya commented.

"Say that again." Lax-Rim said stalking over to him.

Aya stepped between them. "Stop it," she said placing a hand on Lax-Rim's chest, pushing him a bit. She then turn to Rygilya. "Both of you. If this is going to work then we can't be at each other's throats. Agreed?"

The two young men nodded.

Aya peered at Kariah-Belle who was watching Rygilya. Her hand gripping the hilt of her blade, half drawn. "Agreed?" She repeated.

Kaden watched Kariah-Belle's hand drop. She nodded, her features softening as she completely reigned in her anger.

Aya then looked to Kaden. She raised a questioning eyebrow.

Kaden shrugged. "Relax Ay. I'm sure another chance will present itself. I'll break his face then."

Rygilya grinned his jagged grin. "I'd like to see you try small fry."

"Enough you two." Aya said as she moved passed Rygilya. "We still have a lot of ground to cover. Let's move."

Time passed in silence before the sun started to set. The group could see a cliff that seemed to curve at an odd angle near the top. They were drawing nearer and nearer to their destination. Kaden could see their reinforcements.

"Frozen Gun. Lightning Flame." Greeted a divine Knight . His hair was an mix of different shades of green so were the scales that decorate the left side of his body. That and the crest on his armor was indication he was of Stoneheart blood.

"Sir Rylitch Stoneheart." Aya shook the man's hand. "Thank you for supporting us tonight."

"It is our pleasure. My students and I are happy to rescue any comrades." The man gave a smile that looked as if it was forced, though Kaden knew it was genuine.

His eyes held disinterest but Kaden knew those in the Stoneheart branch who suffer a great tragedy often find it heard to express emotions. It's a telltale sign of potential and promise.

His students rushed to his side with their weapons drawn when they saw Rygilya. The Darkness Tamer looked mildly annoyed.

"Semtek?" The divine Knight questioned.

"We ran into him on the way." Aya explained quickly. "Days have passed since they demanded Kariah. They could have many numbers by now. I know he is a criminal but he is skillful. He could be an asset."

The divine Knight thought for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Iris has high praises for you and has told me to let you led this mission. It's your call Frozen Gun."

"Thank you Sir Rylitch."

The older man then turned to Rygilya. "If you double cross us you will not live to tell the tale."

Rygilya scoffed. "I have my own reasons for being here."

Rylitch nodded. "Very well. Take this." He tossed Rygilya a life force cloaking gem. "We attack in forty."

After everyone rested and got acquainted, Aya went over her strategy. Kaden noticed Kariah-Belle wasn't watching him anymore. Now she would glance at Rygilya with malice in her eyes. Kaden half expected her to enter the Fallen Place on the spot.

Finally the time came for action. Kaden was getting bored of sitting around and was excited to be finally be getting some exercise.

The group was split into three teams, positioned around the camp. Aya would retrieve the girl. Rygilya, Kariah, Lax-Rim and himself would be supporting Rylitch and his students who will act as a distraction.

Rylitch and his students that attacked first. The divine Knight caused multiple massive swords made of green mana to rain down on the Vympiri camp. Then he and his students invaded.

"Try to keep up losers," Rygilya said as he blitzed the camp.

Kaden watched as he took down two Vympiri then another and another. He was using dark mana so effortlessly.

A Vympiri materialized from black smoke and struck out at Rygilya. The Darkness Tamer evaded and the two began to exchange blows. The Vympiri used mana to create a shield then a fist made of black roots erupted from the ground and hit Rygilya into the sky.

Kaden and Kariah-Belle joined the battle. The Knight was sure there would be more mature Vympiri. It was best to cut them down early on.

Kaden leapt forward, the entire left side of his body was now covered in black scales. The life force cloaking gem broke to pieces.

He activated his mana hull and lightning cloak.

His heart pounded with enthusiasm. His palms were sweaty from anticipation.

He spun and lobbed off the head of a Vympiri. Two came at him with mana powered weapons. They were fast but the Knight had no trouble dodging one strike before using his talons to pierce the following Vympiri.

Six Vympiri surrounded him, all posed to deliver a strike.

"Lightning Net!" Kaden shouted the mana he gathered around him turned into currents of lightning. The currents danced about every which way as they trapped and fried all caught within its range.

When the Vympiri dropped dead, Kaden yanked his arm from the Vympiri he'd impaled. It was too late when he noticed the menacing aura behind him.

Two huge hands made of black steel reached from the ground and grabbed his face. His skull felt like it would be crushed as he was lifted from the ground.

"Hahahhhaahh!" Laughed the Vympiri. Through the steel fingers Kaden could see the skin of the Vympiri had tan skin. His red eyes shone with glee. "Look what I caught! You'll be a wonderful meal!"

Kaden struggled and kicked but the use of this Vympiri's was stronger.

"Lightning Blitz!" He heard Kariah shout.

The Vympiri let go of Kaden only to hit him hard in the face. The shot sent him tumbling a good distance along the ground. He recovered with a slide. His vision was blurry but he saw Kariah had dawned her lightning cloak and large currents of lightning and mana covered her blade.

Kariah-Belle would be maxed out but she was no match for that mature Vympiri. Kaden rushed over and together, with Kariah-Belle, attacked the Vympiri.

Kariah-Belle unleashed a fury of attacks at the Vympiri, spinning and twirling as she did so. Kaden followed her lead. He broke through the Vympiri's guard and sent him high into the air.

"Twin Lightning Fangs!" He and Kariah yelled simultaneously.

Kaden matched her mana output as they both launched a large arc of lightning that completely disintegrated the leech.

However the two had no time to celebrate as they were completely surrounded by Vympiri.

Just as they moved in, spears made of black lightning fell from the sky, vaporizing any Vympiri slow enough to get hit.

Rygilya landed in front of Kaden as three mature vympiri gathered.

"Get lost, trash." Rygilya told Kariah-Belle.

"Excuse me?" Kariah asked annoyed.

"Scram! You'll only be in the way."

Kariah-Belle looked to Kaden. She knew the Darkness Tamer was correct. Kaden watched her grow exponentially but she still had a long way to go before facing these mature Vympiri. She wouldn't be able to keep up if he and Rygilya went all out.

Kaden nodded. "Go provide aid to Rylitch and his students. We got these three."

"Roger," Kariah-Belle said. She looked at Rygilya with malice before kissing Kaden on the cheek.

Kaden watched the girl take off in the opposite direction, cutting down weaker Vympiri on her way.

Kaden put a hand to his cheek while he watched her with confusion. That was the first time she'd ever done that.

"Oi. Kaden. Get your head in the game loser."

Kaden stepped beside Rygilya. He got into a stance just as Rygilya did.

"Don't slow me down, chump." Kaden mocked before dashing at the Vympiri.

"As if you can keep up!" Rygilya retorted.

The mana around Kaden erupted in flames. The flames took the shape of a dragon just taller than a building. A sword made of lightning formed in the dragon's hand.

He sent it crashing into the ground, effectively scattering the leeches and creating a crevice.

Rygilya was a black blur as he appeared in front of a Vympiri. The leech shot a blast of black mana at the Darkness Tamer but Rygilya easily swerved. Before Kaden could blink, the Vympiri's head was severed from it's body.

Kaden stared in awe. Black lightning danced around Rygilya. He wasn't surprised his rival gained more mastery with black mana and created a black lightning cloak.

Kaden felt something grab the tail of his avatar. He turned his head to see an avatar created from black mana with it's fingers around his tail. He was taken up into the air and crashed hard into the ground, sending debris flying everywhere.

The black avatar held a Vympiri in it's chest. It loomed over Kaden, an ax made of black mana dropped down like a guillotine. The Knight used his lightning sword to block then kicked the Vympiri away

He quickly stood to find a Leviathan closing in fast. Kaden got into a stance as the Vympiri from before moved to flank him. Kaden slipped the strike from the leviathan. He was getting ready to slice off its arms but thought of what Kariah-Belle would say about sparing creatures.

Instead, he delivered a swift punch to the face just as a ring of black lightning spears collided with the black avatar of the Vympiri.

Kaden jump kicked the creature in the face. The beast stumbled and Kaden went on the attack, launching a barrage of knees, elbows, punches and kicks with his fiery avatar. The beast blocked a punch from Kaden using it's tail.

The Knight stumbled backward from a heavy blow and the Leviathan rushed in. It was faster and stronger being controlled and amped by black mana. Kaden had a hard time finding openings that would knock it out.

Rygilya landed on the shoulder of his flame avatar. "What are you doing!? Kill that thing, loser!"

"No!"

"The hell you mean no!? Kill it, Kaden! Or did you become weak!?"

Kaden evaded a tail strike and leaped out of range.

"Shut the hell up and go be useful, dummy! Kill the tamer!"

"Fine, trash!" The Darkness Tamer disappeared.

Kaden avoided long-range attacks from a group of Vympiri. The attacks banged into the charging leviathan and Kaden found his opening.

He willed his giant avatar to charged the beast and leaped into the sky. He executed a swift combination of attacks starting with a flying elbow, knocking the beast down.

Kaden turned and hurled large balls of fire at approaching Vympiri, scorching the few that didn't anticipate his awareness.

The Knight watched as the beast got to it's feet. Kaden could see that the black mana surrounding it was no more. The beast looked around confused before letting out an agitated roar.

It began to rampage, attacking Knights and Vympiri alike. It charged in Kariah-Belle's direction and Kaden grabbed it's tail."Oh no you don't."

Kaden roared loudly as he lifted the beast off it's feet and slung it miles across the sky.

"There. Now that crybaby should be satisfied."

The master Knight took in the scenery. Large craters decorated the ground beneath them. Large constructs made of various materials: rock, metals, branches, we're scattered about from the use of different crafts. Some contracts had a black tint.

The landscape had completely been reshaped.

There were casualties on both sides.

Kaden heard a scream and his heart began thumping wildly in his chest.

He turned to see Kariah-Belle being held by the throat. A Vympiri had her arm through the Knights chest. Black mana mixed with her blood surrounded the Vympiri's arm.

Kaden's flame avatar turned to ambers as he fell to the ground. He began hyperventilating as his lightning cloak and mana hull dissipated. He dropped to his knees clutching his chest. Grief and pain washed over him.

Vympiri rushed at him but he could only see Kariah's lifeless body.

He'd be dead if Rygilya hadn't slain them. "What the hell are you doing?! Get the fuck up and fight loser!"

He couldn't hear him though. He could only hear Kariah's scream replay over and over in his mind.