Nefaria was an empire ruled by might and flamboyant negligence. The powerful built magnificent barricades to shield themselves from the dreadful terrors of their tenebrous world, abandoning the less fortunate to rummage whatever they could amongst themselves, battling ardrously so as to live to see another day.
Those who were lucky enough could set up humble business to sustain themselves, forever struggling to meet up with the payment of taxes. Failure to pay either the royal or local tribute was always met with immediate, harsh actions. Of course, the royals were exhalted, while the poorpers were nothing but scum.
But then, the unluckly ones were forced to live on the unforgiving streets, eventually picked off by the fiends inhabiting them. Though there were shadow-bound creatures, those who had a bone to pick with them would often take amble advantage of the opportunity.
What would usually follow was the bloody corpse of a vampire. If they had a family with them, then the older ones would be slaughtered, their young, capable daughters whisked away by the wretches harbouring ill desires.
Two months flew past after the Night Of Crimson, the shadowy empire resuming their daily living as usual. However, ever since that night, a constant wave of clashing powers was felt all across the kingdom, filling its inhabitants with an ever-changing landscape of concerning thoughts.
The clashes seemed infinite, dragging across days, weeks, then months. No one knew when the fearsome clashes would cease, not even those witnessing the battle with their own fear-striken eyes.
Then, after two gruelling months of unrelenting battle, a single, voluminous wail spread across the lightless kingdom like a corrosive plague. Moments after the order was given, something strange began to occur all across Nefaria.
From the corners of houses and business establishments, cloaked individuals began to emerge, their bodies sprouting from swirling masses of purple shadows. Their purple-red eyes pried through the darkness, their numbers escalating at a worrisome pace.
This phenomenon was taking place all across the kingdom, from the most magnificent of cities, to the most degenerate towns. Within each territory, a single individual was revered amongst their numbers, seemingly the leaders of their respective groups.
In Fluxton, Raphael's eyes suddenly shot open, his figure rushing out of his bed, barging out from his room as he met with some of his subordinates.
"Tell Darion and Jay to meet me outside immediately!" He barked, exiting from his enclosure soon after
Meanwhile, the guards exchanged tense glances, rushing to deliver Raphael's message to his brothers.
'What is this?!' Raphael thought, sweat dripping down his face in large amounts. 'That strange energy… don't tell me…' he finally arrived at the location where he could feel the most disturbance, wary eyes scanning his surrounding environment.
The townspeople were currently asleep, dreadfully unaware of what was going on. Minutes past, eerie silence drowning the town's pragmatic malevolence.
Then, an alluring feminine voice glided across the chilling silence, the noise of clanking boots flowing in accordance. Slowly, her figure emerged from the swirling shadows, surprising Raphael as he gazed upon her.
"My, what an observative fellow you are. Considering you capabilities, I assume you are the chief of this town?" She asked, her body swaying in rhythm to the twisting darkness. Upon gazing at her figure, Raphael was more starstruck than scared. Her long purple hair was as straight as time, gliding graciously down her back. Her features exuded a strong sense of desire, vibrant eyes gazing back at him. Coagulated meaning swayed within them, adding to her elusive demeanor.
Soon after, her movements froze, arms resting on her sides. Her eyes never left the man standing before her, eagerly waiting for his response.
However, Raphael's alertness gradually gave way for amusement, a wave of laughter escaping his lips. He straightened himself, meeting her gaze as he responded, his tone dripping with almost palpable contempt.
"A chief? My, oh my. You must really not be from this town, much less this kingdom, if you ask me. So then, tell me. Who, or better still, what, are you?" He asked, his arms radiating a subtle crimson glow. The glow of his eyes elevated slightly, power creeping from his being in noticable quantities.
Seconds waved by, deep silence colonized by the noise of flickering sparks. Then, a low chuckle escaped her lips. She raised her hand, covering her mouth as she sneered:
"A tyrant, then. Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering the level of ignorance your emperor possesses," her lips curled in condescending disgust, eyes flickering in response to her shielded thoughts.
Raphael clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he responded, saying:
"My emperor? Lady, you seem to be mistaken here," he said, blood magic forming into a crimson blade within his grasp. "I take orders from no one, especially not some rich snoob who doesn't care about his people."
She signed, waving her hand as she said:
"You say you're self-sufficient, yet you still dwell within his lands… how hypocritic," she paused for a moment, then continued. "Nevertheless, I suppose I should just get things over with." right after, her body began to change. A pair of dark purple, bat-like wings sprouted violently from her back, a pair of twisted horns surging from her scalp. A pointed tail stretched from behind, flicking constantly in the air.
Raphael gazed at her sudden change, a dark feeling curling within him. Regardless, he steeled his resolve, gripped his blade tighter, and waited for his opponent to make the first move.
"You know, scratch that. I shouldn't have wasted my breath calling you a lady," he remarked, brows twitching as the stillness scraped vigorous against his winding thoughts. In the midst of his mental spiral, a multitude of flickering sensations invaded his mind, eyes growing wide in shock as the shadows swayed once more.
Another individual arrived on the scene, then two, three, and so many more. Their numbers kept rising, quickly crowding the tenebrous space. Raphael's gaze never left the mysterious crowd, heart racing as he addressed the strange creature once more.
"These are your subordinates, correct? I hope they won't get in the way of our fight," he asked, forcing himself to remain calm.
"They won't. We are beings of honor, so you don't have to worry about being backstabbed or anything," she replied, her tone carrying a strange sense of warmth and prickling hatred.
"... Can I ask another question? Two, in fact."
She nodded, waiting for him to speak.
Raphael took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before asking:
"Just who are you? And why are you in my town? From what I've observed so far, you don't seem to harbor any good intentions whatsoever."
She paused before responding, her melodious voice taking a much darker tone.
"I am Vanessa Of The Shadows, and as for why I'm in your town… I'm simply following my master's wishes," she replied.
"Your master…? And who might that be?"
"You've spoken enough," right after, she lunged forward, dark wings propelling her sharply through the air. She threw her hands outward, sharpened nails aiming to impale the man before her.
Raphael parried her attack with his sword, gliding through the air as he readjusted to launch his own attack. However, before the blade could draw inches close to her neck, her head shot in his direction, mouth gaping open, and a purple glow brewing within.
Something urged him to run away. And soon enough, a wave of purple energy shot out, hitting the building behind him. A loud explosion followed, immolating screams drowning the fleeting sense of peace the townspeople enjoyed.
The dreadful howls drew others forcefully away from the clutches of slumber. They emerged from their enclosures, red eyes saturated with panic as they gazed upon the luminescent scope of destruction created by the blast.
Meanwhile, Raphael and Vanessa remained in the heat of combat, the crimson blade flashing several times through the air, hands and feet swiftly evading slashes from his airborne opponent. At times, the destructive purple beam would be unleashed, ceasing more lives as the locals scattered for false sanctuary, audibly lamenting the direness of their situation.
Months prior, they feared the tyranny that befell them from the Abyssal Gang, but now, from what they glanced upon, it seemed like the bane of their purgatory was a different matter. Purple energy, an abysmal form, this wasn't something vampires were capable of, at least, not from their own knowledge.
In the midst of the chaos, two new figures arrived at the scene, both sharing shocked expressions as they witnessed Raphael fight.
"What is going on here?" Darion asked, sharp eyes glaring at the crowd of strangers standing not too far away. Just from their scent alone, he could tell they were different. "Are you people deaf? I ask you a question."
However, they remained mute, barely sparing him a glance as they returned to watching the match unfold.
Darion gritted his teeth, his blood magic taking form until he heard Raphael's voice.
"Don't attack!" He yelled, eyes fully focused on the creature before him. "Wait until I deal with their leader first!"
Darion immediately halted in his actions, nodded his head slowly, and straightened. His eyes shifted to his brother standing beside him, their appearance communicating a subtle message.
Jay returned his gaze, both shifting further to the side, allowing the match to progress further.