Born in Blood

The journey continued.

Liam's mind drifted to the Rank 6 magical beast.

It was strangely reminiscent of the nightmare Liam had in the inheritance.

But that was a dream, and this was reality.

Still, both were terrifying in their own ways.

As another week passed, the water gradually underwent a change of color.

Blood.

The oceans gained a crimson tint.

[We're near,] Usan transmitted.

In reality, doing this sort of thing was difficult for Usan.

Traveling underwater while protecting Liam and keeping underwater.

Regularly using his powers was bad for his health.

If Usan was a true Rank 6, he definitely would have killed the Rank 6 beast. 

But instead, he chose not to fight it.

Nevertheless, the underwater venture was coming to an end.

At the same time, the sea creatures that passed by the pair were much more disfigured and vicious-looking.

'I've never seen sea life be so… ugly before,' Liam thought as his gaze scanned the surroundings.

The blood from so many vampires had corrupted the oceans, lands and everything in between to an ugly degree.

The waters were not as dark and murky anymore.

Liam could see clearer, but the shadow disguise was not as effective.

At one point, the ocean floor got higher and higher, forcing them to swim above the lower depths.

At the same time, the upper ocean levels were infested with blood piranhas. 

And these creatures obviously tried to attack the two invading shadows.

But their thin, fang-like teeth weren't able to pierce through Usan's shadowy armor.

Eventually, the Korsan Lands came into view. 

The island was still shrouded with a palpable layer of fog, hiding it from spying eyes.

But as Liam looked closer…

'It's even thicker than before.'

'They've updated their defenses,' Liam thought.

Indeed, the Wraith Fog, as Liam called it, was stronger than Liam remembered it.

It was taller and covered more land, too.

But these defenses did nothing to deter Usan.

The two could enter the Sea of Darkness and slowly pass into the city.

And that's what they planned on doing, anyway.

As soon as the pair made contact with the lands, they easily entered the Sea of Darkness.

From one water to the next.

Then, they swam forward.

Instantly, Liam could feel the Sea of Darkness brimming with violent ripples coming from all sides.

Usan's shadows still had to cover Liam as they passed through the shadowy ocean.

Through that, Liam could actually open his eyes and peer above!

He could see through the ground!

Liam saw the Feeding Grounds where the mindless vampires killed each other to evolve into a higher life form.

Past that, he saw the Higher Vampires that governed the Feeding Grounds. 

Along with the human farms that looked blissfully unaware of their circumstances.

Though, everything had a black and white filter, and it was a bit hazy from that distance.

Usan frowned at that sight.

One had to remember that Usan started this whole quest of revenge for the sake of his country.

For the sake of bringing to 'justice' people who killed innocents.

But then again, to Usan, the ends justified the means.

Liam followed the same line of thinking.

Allying with people who ate human flesh for the meantime was a necessity.

That said, Liam noticed how fortified and defensive the country was now.

Blood-made Formations covered the grounds, and the castles that people like the Blooder lived in were much tighter knit.

'Can't blame them. Whoever was in charge of defense must have gotten executed by now.' 

Defenses didn't mean much against someone who phased through the earth, though.

Usan ignored every little defensive measure they made and wordlessly surged towards the citadel.

Although Usan could teleport with his shadows, using that here was the dumbest way to get killed.

One couldn't waltz into another's home and demand to be friends.

It was also why Liam scrapped the idea of kidnapping an important Higher Vampire and keeping him hostage.

'There it is,' Liam thought as the Citadel appeared not far out. 

The spires and towering structures were still visible through the massive border.

Bats and aerial creatures flew overhead.

And most important of all was the elevated plateau with a shroud of fog domed around it.

Tiny canals, veins and rivers of blood from the entire region traveled up the plateau.

To Alucard's Castle.

Nobody really knew what was inside except them, though. Maybe it was a hut, for all Liam knew.

However, there was a small platform that was at the foot of the plateau. 

It seemed as though one could ascend and descend from it.

They passed the layers that the higher vampires lived in.

[No going back from this,] Usan said to Liam as they hovered beneath the platform. 

[Just don't attack at the first sign of trouble.] 

Then, Liam and Usan left the Sea of Darkness, emerging right on top of the platform.

WHOOSH!

SCREECH!

ROAAAR!

Not one minute passed before they were swarmed with Rank 4 and Rank 5 vampires riding on bats, bloodhounds and other beasts. 

They were detected by the magical Formations.

"Who are you?!" a woman shrieked at them with bared fangs. 

Like all vampires, she was pale. 

In particular, though, the woman had red markings on her lips and eyebrows. 

Red hair flowed behind her back, while her eyes constricted dangerously.

Through the King's Eye, her aura was surging with red energies. 

'She's a Rank 5.' 

All around them were similar vampires.

"Silence will result in getting attacked," a tall, muscular, broad-chested vampire with a square face growled. Another Rank 5.

Liam and Usan didn't respond.

They were both unflinching despite the demands of who they were and why they were there.

And the vampires couldn't attack either.

After all, two unknown figures appeared on their front doorstep without a single soul noticing.

From one of them, they felt their skin being pricked with needles.

And from the other, they felt the air grow dark and dangerous.

"Alucard," Usan said plainly, an unfazed look on his face. "Meeting." 

There was a fragile silence.

The vampires looked like they wanted to lurch out and attack them.

…But slowly, the platform Liam and Usan were on started to ascend!

The vampires' eyes went wide as they saw their enemy heading to their Pasha's dwelling.

Liam turned to Usan with slightly wide eyes.

[...I think he just invited us in.]