The Crimson Reaper-Chapter 84: Between Two Worlds

Scarlet and Alex observed the cave in awe during their descent.

Numerous light blue crystals lit up the glittering wall while illuminating the path.

"What is this?" Alex questioned, stopping to inspect one of the crystals, and giving it a few knocks.

"River’s soul. A crystal made from water, infused with my Qi." Nosferatu replied, enjoying the sight of the hunters who observed his creation in wonder.

"Qi?" Scarlet questioned. This was the second time Nosferatu had mentioned it, but she had never heard of it before.

"Yes, the life energy of every living being. It flows through me, Melisa, Luciel, and even you two."

"Hm... I see..." she muttered, already grasping the basics. The way he described it said it all.

"And those abilities you guys are using, that’s with the help of Qi, right?"

It was the only conclusion that Scarlet was able to reach. Nothing in this world appeared from the thin air.

According to the Church, their divine arts drew power from the divine realm, but vampires couldn’t use those, so the next logical solution was Qi.

"Oh? You are a smart one!" Nosferatu said excitedly.

With a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the place he was standing and appeared in front of Scarlet, stroking her cheek.

"Care to learn?" He asked, his tone turning darker for a moment as he licked his lips at the beauty in front of him. He wanted her among his vampires.

"Sorry, but I’m not interested." Scarlet apologized politely to the old vampire, carefully moving away his hand.

She was wary of him, making sure that her actions wouldn’t anger him. He might act friendly, but she saw what he was capable of.

And his offer? There’s no way he wouldn’t want something in return. And taking into consideration that he was a vampire, it couldn’t be good.

"Hm... That’s a shame," His smooth, flawless voice made Scarlet feel furious, but tried not to show it.

"Some other time then. Let’s go, you humans must be tired. It’s late for you while the day for us just started."

Nosferatu went back to the front in an instant, continuing to lead the group until they arrived at the big cave hall with water flowing right next to the walls.

"Everything that you see here had been carefully crafted over hundreds of me, all by me." Nosferatu praised himself after hearing the gasps coming from the hunters.

Once they passed the cave, there was a small stone gate, guarded by two vampires who bowed their heads.

"Welcome!" Nosferatu turned around, allowing the newcomers to enter first.

Scarlet and Alex were to enter first. They stepped on a large platform that was glued to the wall and below them was something that seemed like a huge stone city.

If Nosferatu was telling the truth and he was behind all of that, then what’s the extent of his powers?

"That’s a lot of vampires..." Alex commented once he looked down. All of those red eyes were staring at them.

It was terrifying to know that so many vampires were hiding close to their colony.

If Nosferatu wanted to do it, he could conquer Paradise in less than a week given his power and the numbers behind him.

Luciel and Melisa walked in after Alex and Scarlet, going to stand right next to them.

"You know, I saw this a few times already, but I still can’t get used to this," Luciel commented, leaning onto the railing as he looked down. It was hard to admit, but the place felt like home.

"So that’s where you were after you disappeared after a month." Alex hit the palm of his hand with his fist, having a moment of realization.

"Honestly, it was better than the shelter," Luciel added with a hint of sadness in his voice.

Those vampires accepted him better than the humans, even after killing hundreds of them.

Some despised him, but for the most part, they were welcoming.

Alex caught a glimpse of Luciel’s sorrow, constantly switching his gaze between his friend and the other vampires.

"You know... After all of this was over, maybe you should stay here."

Alex finally said it with a heavy heart. The more he observed Luciel, the more obvious it became that his old life was over.

Even if Luciel was still standing, the truth was undeniable. He lost the fight that night and now he was paying the price.

And while Nosferatu was strange and he was against whatever he did to Luciel, he doubted that he would harm him.

All those vampires seemed to be in good condition. They didn’t seem to be starving, otherwise they would try to get their necks already. And they had something that seemed to be a community of their own.

Training areas, playgrounds, an arena, shops and bars, you name it.

The place didn’t look bad.

"Besides, if you stay here, it wouldn’t mean goodbye forever." He added, placing a hand across his back and nudging him slightly.

"Alex is right, you know," just like Luciel, Scarlet went to lean against the stone railing.

A blind man could tell that this was where Luciel belongs and while he did have an accident, he never showed a desire to intentionally hurt a human, even when thirsty.

"Guys, calm down, all right?" Luciel lowered his head a little with a smirk on his face.

He had good friends. And while Scarlet was questionable, it wasn’t like she had a cold heart as she makes it.

"You know that I can’t do that."

The stakes were high and he couldn’t leave Helen, especially now.

There would come a time when Luciel would have to leave the human world behind, but only after Helen’s death.

He was fully aware that he would outlive her and the child, but truth be told, as long they would die from a natural cause, he wouldn’t be sad.

It wasn’t like he didn’t want to be with them forever, but nothing is eternal. Even vampires would face their end one way or another.

As long as his family and friends would live their lives to the fullest, he would be happy, glad that he had the honor to stand by their side.

The only time when Luciel would actually consider turning his friends and family was in case of incurable sickness, or unnatural death, and would consider it if asked.

He didn’t know how to turn someone without them becoming a bloodhound, but there were those who could.

"But staying with Helen might put her at the greater risk." Scarlet pointed out. There might be many enemies that might come for him and Helen was Luciel’s weakness.

Cold it might be, but for Scarlet, the best option for Luciel would be to put some distance, tell his wife to stay low, and move somewhere else.

No one should know where she would be, not even Luciel.

"That’s why I made a deal with him. For which I’m paying a price now." Luciel looked at his hand, making a fist.

He could feel Nosferatu’s control over him, but there was no time to be depressed. He brought this upon himself and he was going to make sure to break away from it one day, no matter what.

"Are you children done?" Nosferatu was late with his entrance.

He allowed the three to have a small talk, it was interesting to listen, especially when Luciel’s friends wanted him to stay. Nosferatu loved that idea.

Getting closer to the group, he placed his hands on top of Melisa’s and Luciel’s heads, messing with their hair.

"I think that they are done," Melisa spoke in the name of the group, wanting to get away from them already.

They were starting to get a little bit annoying and with the speed they were going, it felt like they would never take her brother and return to Helen in this lifetime!

"Great!" Nosferatu smiled and walked between Luciel and Melisa.

"Gather around everyone!" He clapped with his hands a few times, calling the vampires in the nest to gather.

He didn’t have to shout due to vampires’ excellent hearing and the news spread around fast.

"I have an announcement to make!" Nosferatu started, waiting for everyone to gather.

"I would like to officially introduce Luciel Ashford into our clan! I know we had our... Differences, but please treat him nicely. We all have the same fangs after all."

Luciel looked down at the vampires who started to cheer him on and whistle, it was a completely different atmosphere than the one inside the human shelter.

He felt welcomed somewhere for the first time after vampirism, almost bringing a tear to his eye.

"As the next announcement," Nosferatu continued once everyone started to calm down, "I would like you to meet our human guests, Scarlet and Alex! Be nice to them and remember, they are not food."

The vampires started to clap and cheer for their human guests, sounding excited. After all, it was the first time that humans visited them.

During both announcements, minor complaints and ’boos’ could be heard, but they were being overpowered by those who had a positive outlook.

"Ah... What a cheerful bunch," Nosferatu smiled to himself, they were music for his ears.

"Let’s go, I’ll show you a place where you can rest until the rain stops." Nosferatu waved with his hand before leading the hunters towards the sleeping chambers with no privacy.

It seemed like Nosferatu never heard about privacy.

He lead them deep inside a nest where there weren’t a lot of vampires, it was near a room where Luciel used to rest.

"You can use those two and don’t worry, no one should bother you." Nosferatu pointed towards two small, identical rooms, both having a bed, table and a chair made from stone.

"While you rest, I have to exchange a few words with Luciel." He added, placing his hand on Luciel’s shoulder as he glanced at him.

It was time to show him a few more tricks and reveal the farm, to show him that it wasn’t as he thought it was.