A New World, an immersive game experience

"Return," she commanded the surviving E-vampires, who had been frozen on the spot since her command to halt.

They did so without a fuss. Eldrian was impressed until he realized they were likely just a slight step above the thralls. 'Most likely can't even determine their own futures, truly the perfect guards... I guess they didn't charge me because they wanted. Are they aware?'

Eldrian was unsure if he should feel sad that he had killed them so heartlessly, or consider that he had released them. He went with the second. After all, they fell under the unwilling category. Surely, that meant they would wish for death, or at least welcome it when it arrives.

He was unsure how much intelligence they retained. None of them had attempted to speak, though they had incanted the chants and words of power for their spells.

"Do you truly think we will surrender the fort just because you asked? We've had it for what—" Levana paused, realizing that for an elf, the period of time would not even make up a childhood.

Like most natives of ANW, she did not know that the Chosen could choose their race and were all originally human. "We've held the fort for many years," she rephrased.

Vampires should have a similar time sense to elves. However, few made it to ten thousand years of age. Internal strife was everywhere, and surviving till your thousandth turning was a commendable achievement.

Levana herself had been born a vampire, one of the few natural vampires in existence. They aged much like humans. As for her age, she was approaching her thirtieth birthday.

"Indeed, you have." Eldrian would not argue that fact. It had been a few generations for centaurs, who commonly lived until two hundred. Three hundred if they had admirable magical talents and did not live a hard life.

"Yet, it was originally part of the kingdom." Eldrian continued. "Because of certain reasons, I require a secure location separate from the kingdom." Eldrian's way of speaking was both irritating the vampire princess and causing an unknown fear to bubble inside her.

He was talking as if they were friends, yet he demanded they retreat. And although she should be the stronger individual, she felt no fear -not even concern or a shred of worry- from Eldrian. None of her attempts to establish herself above him had worked, either.

Honestly, his lack of reaction to her torrent of bloodlust was making her curious how his blood would taste. She had yet to meet someone so weird. His strange strength and mana flow was sure to enhance the taste.

"Then, should I take it you are not here on behalf of the kingdom of Taurus?" Levana asked. Wishing to confirm her speculations. Pondering if she should ask for a treat as the cost. It could hardly be considered a worthy trade on their side.

However, she felt that if he was dumb enough to agree, she would strike when his guard was lowered. 'There might still be a way. No life is immortal. Not even the gods can claim true immortality.' She had no backing for this thought—only a few ancient myths passed down in her family.

'They say Chosen can't die, but no one would be willing give over their weaknesses. Perhaps...soul attacks might do lasting damage...?'

'If he were to let me get so close, I would certainly have the best chance possible...' For some strange reason, she shivered at the thought. An instinctual fear budding inside her again, telling her that if she tried, she would be the one ending up dried and dead.

"You may." Eldrian replied to her question of whether he was here on behalf of the kingdom. "I do have the kingdom's support in this."

"Of course." She scoffed. No kingdom would say no when someone wanted to reclaim their lost lands. The question was how much support had they given him. "However, you must realize that your request is not something simple to fulfill."

"Actually, I didn't think you would listen for this long. Right, I guess you are moving to capture or kill me." Eldrian commented off handedly. His words causing Levana to freeze.

"Elec didn't move. I guess you guys thought it a waste of his time to come after me. A simple Tier 5 elf... But you did send guys at Tier 6. I'm impressed. You didn't let my low Tier beguile you too much."

Hearing that Eldrian even knew their strength, and somehow the name of their strongest vampire, the young vampire princess suddenly felt naked. If Eldrian not only knew their strength, but was also able -as it seemed- to follow their movement at real time. He would be a veritable monster in war.

And worse, he was incapable of dying. Or at least very hard to kill.

She did not want to make an enemy of him. Yet, he was part of the kingdom of Taurus. A kingdom they were destined to face in war. And his demands were absurd. She could not accept them even if she wanted.

'I will have to enter negotiations and attempt it. Even at the cost of my life, I can't let him live!' Realizing the danger that Eldrian was, she steeled her heart.

Eldrian was clueless about the cruel thoughts in the young vampire's heart. He simply felt the negotiations were going far, far better than expected. Smiling, he felt it was time to show some of the support behind him. Especially since those vampires were still closing in.

'Sofiera, as discussed.' Eldrian had to pause for a second to leave time for Sofiera to accept the message. 'Send the spell to me, and add the will of having it listen to me.' Another pause, 'Like when I tried to take over the construction.'

A few seconds later, Eldrian received a reply. 'It is on its way.'

Levana noticed a burst of fire in the distance, a bird of flame flying at the speed of sound towards them. It circled Eldrian a few times before landing next to him. Its size was comparable to the Roc, Mneme. Easily surpassing two meters in height as it stood next to Eldrian.

"Since you've moved, I asked one of my friends to send me some help. So, are we going to fight or talk?" Eldrian asked, replacing most of Sofiera's will with his own while making sure to not let the spell dissolve.

'Mmm, this is harder than I thought. Gosh, this is a complex spell...' Within seconds Eldrian felt a drain on his mind. He had to let go of his control over the surrounding mana as he took control of the firebird.

Once he had control, he had the bird casually look over at the directions where the vampires were approaching from, with a sharp gaze of a bird of prey. He tried to control it to imitate a roc looking at its meal.

Levana, noticing the subtle threat in its movements, was covered in a cold sweat. The elf before her was an anomaly. That much was certain. To take over the control of another's spell, that was not something simple to do.

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