In a small room inside the old hotel they had rented in Darkova, the five of them finally gathered under one roof. Ken sat on the bed, his back against the wall, holding the paper President Grim had given him.
He unfolded it slowly and began reading in a low, steady voice:
"The gala will take place the day after tomorrow… Saturday night. The sword is inside the main ballroom."
Ken lifted his eyes and looked at the others. Akio sat on a chair with restless excitement, tapping his feet together. Ann was trying to look serious, but she still avoided meeting Ken's eyes after today's disaster. Mabushi was lying on the floor, arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling with complete disinterest. Silvara stood near the window with her back to them, listening in silence as if trying to absorb every detail before they did.
Ken looked back at the paper and said:
"Grim wrote here that the sword won't be in a vault, nor behind a secret door… but inside the ballroom itself."
Akio raised his hand halfway, full of half-baked enthusiasm:
"So… we're stealing it in front of everyone?"
Ken replied:
"No. We're stealing it despite everyone being there."
Darkness swallowed the corridors of Terracula's gothic palace. Inside, Steve walked down the long hallway in quiet steps, carrying a large tray filled with cooking pots, steam drifting out from the sides.
He pushed the door open slowly, revealing the familiar scene: a long table that could seat twenty people… yet Terracula sat alone at it. She sat at the far end, her back is straight, one arm resting lightly on the chair.
She spoke in a calm tone:
"You're a little late… Steve."
Steve bowed slightly, then said in his usual low voice:
"My apologies, Lady Terracula. I brought your dinner as you requested."
He placed the tray before her and lifted the lid. The aroma of luxurious food filled the hall, but Terracula's eyes showed no real interest.
She lifted her gaze to him and tilted her head slightly, speaking with a smile barely visible:
"Steve… do you remember when I first met you?"
Steve replied:
"That was two years ago, when I was fifteen. That day… you gave me a new life, just like you did with the others."
[Two Years Ago – The Streets of Darkova]
Darkova was overflowing with shouting and merchants. In the middle of the crowd, a thin boy in torn clothes appeared, sharp blue eyes glinting with a fierceness that didn't match his age… Steve. He snatched an apple from a vendor's cart and ran.
The vendor yelled angrily:
"You brat! Bring that apple back!"
But Steve wasn't just a hungry kid. His steps were quick and calculated, as if his body already knew how to fight long before he learned. Men from the market chased him down and cornered him.
Steve stopped abruptly, planted his feet, then charged. A punch to the first man's jaw. A kick to the second's chest. A leap over the third. His body moved with an unnatural mix of flexibility and strength, knocking down everyone he touched.
He shouted in anger as he forced a path for himself:
"Leave me alone!!"
Everyone was panting… except one woman standing fearlessly at the end of the path… Terracula.
She said with a smile:
"Interesting… this boy carries more power than his body suggests. Perhaps… I'll need him."
Steve froze. For the first time, he felt something he couldn't run from standing before him.
She approached with measured steps:
"How about you leave the streets behind? I can give you something no one else can."
He hesitated, then asked defensively:
"What do you want from me?"
She replied:
"I want your loyalty… and in return, I'll give you the life of the wealthy… one you could never dream of."
Steve nodded. And at that moment… his life changed forever.
[Back to the Present – Inside the Palace]
Terracula cut a small piece of chicken, then spoke while looking at Steve:
"You know, Steve… I don't like eating dinner alone."
Steve stood up straight.
"I know that, Lady Terracula. Akira, Nyoro, and I are here to serve you… and to make up for Count Dracula's absence."
Her fingers tapped lightly on the table, her tone drifting with boredom:
"I often wonder… if I hadn't met you that day, would you still be that lost boy stealing apples from merchants?"
Steve paused for a second before replying:
"Maybe… but my life wouldn't be anything like it is now without you. That's why I owe you."
Terracula smiled faintly… more pity than satisfaction:
"You're one of the few who know how to appreciate the gifts I give."
Steve lowered his head slightly, speaking with a hint of hidden tension:
"Yes… my lady."
An hour later, Terracula ascended the stairs slowly toward the upper floor. She stopped before Lionel's cell. She didn't even need strength to open the door; a single touch made the locks tremble before surrendering completely. She pushed the door and stepped in.
Lionel was lying on the floor, his head on his small arm, breathing deeply… asleep like a child unaware he was at the heart of danger. Terracula stood over him for several long seconds, watching his small chest rise and fall. A dark smile curled on her lips. She leaned down, her short red hair brushing his cheek.
She whispered:
"Have you ever thought… about the consequences waiting for you here?"
She lifted her cold hand and placed it on his forehead. She leaned to his ear again and whispered:
"Wake up, little one… it's time."
Lionel felt a coldness tear him out of sleep. His eyes snapped open, his body trying to rise, but he couldn't move. Invisible pressure pinned his limbs to the floor. Terracula lifted her head from beneath his chin, then leaned toward his neck, and his eyes widened in terror.
Lionel whispered shakily:
"W-What do you want from me…?"
Terracula tilted her head slightly, her eyes shining with a vicious sort of delight.
"I want to taste you… nothing more. And you don't need to run… I didn't hold you down for that."
She didn't give him a chance to understand. She leaned in… and sank her fangs into his neck. A sharp gasp burst from his chest, followed by a long, strangled scream. Tears streamed down his face instantly. The pain was far too much for his small body to bear.
Lionel cried:
"No… please…!"
But his voice disappeared beneath the slow, agonizing sound of draining… as if his life was being pulled out of him drop by drop. Terracula didn't hear his screams. She was savoring the taste of his blood.
Terracula let out a faint laugh as she wiped the corner of her lips.
"Oh… you're delicious. Weak… but delicious. You'll get used to the pain, little one… it's the nature of your existence here."
She lifted her head slowly, leaving Lionel trembling on the floor. His face had gone pale, his eyes half-open, his pulse slowing… the world around him fading. She stood, adjusted her shirt with no concern for the chaos she'd caused, then stepped out of the cell, locking the door tightly before heading down to the middle floor.
Minutes later, Akira returned to the castle, and the first thing on his mind was checking on Lionel. He went straight upstairs, opened the cell door quietly, and stepped inside, trying to make out the boy's features in the dark. But the moment he reached the corner, he froze.
Lionel was lying on the floor, pale, eyes dim, blood pouring heavily from his neck. His small body trembled as if his soul was fighting to stay.
"Lionel… what happened to you?"
He rushed toward him, knelt beside him, his eyes scanning the wounds and the boy's fading color. A harsh tightness pierced his chest, a feeling he had tried to bury.
'That witch! She moved fast!'
Lionel opened his eyes with difficulty, his voice is faint and broken:
"Akira… I… it hurt so much… I can't breathe…"
Fury surged through Akira, but fear crept in too. He had no power to face Terracula… not yet. He touched Lionel's forehead and inhaled sharply at the burning heat.
He thought quickly, forcing down his tension:
'This is bad… his fever is too high.'
He lifted the child onto his back carefully. He'd only meant to check on him, but now he found himself running, as if carrying Lionel revealed something heavy inside his own heart. He held him tight and whispered under his breath:
"Lionel, I won't let you die. Never."
But just before he reached the grand door leading out of the castle… he stopped. Something was moving ahead of him, shadows gathering. From within the darkness, Terracula stepped out with a cold smile.
"Looks like you're late, Akira."
Akira's voice burned with restrained anger, his features are tense:
"You did this. You're the reason he's like this!"
She laughed lightly:
"Oh? How sweet, Akira! This is the first time I've seen a monster saving a human child!"
"That's enough! You've crossed the line too many times, Lady Terracula! I've served you all these years, and followed your orders. I'll do anything for you except harm an innocent child! I promised to repay you!"
She stopped in front of him, her head tilted, her eyes are gleaming with mockery.
"Oh, Akira… you seem to think this is just some little promise. But you know well I don't live by rules made from emotions and vows."
Akira clenched his fists, his voice is rising despite his effort to stay calm:
"You don't have the right to hurt others just because you can. I can't stand it anymore!"
Terracula stepped towards him slowly.
"And you think you can stop me? You're just another piece on my board, Akira. No matter what you do, you'll never break free from me."
Suddenly, Terracula moved faster than he could react. He barely saw her shadow before her fingers wrapped around his neck with crushing strength, her eyes glowing with clear malice.
He tried to pull himself free, but her grip tightened. He raised his claws to strike, but she didn't give him the chance. With a sharp motion, she slammed him to the ground, leaning over him as she increased the pressure on his throat. A faint sound escaped him— a useless attempt at resistance against her power.
Her voice was cold, empty of feeling:
"You can't escape me, Akira. No matter how hard you try. You're stronger than you look, but you still have much to learn. If you want to resist me, you must understand the power of the Blood Vaken."
She didn't give him a second. Her power surged into his body with a force he'd never felt. It gripped his blood itself… pulling it, twisting it, tearing it apart from within. Burning pain shot through every limb. He clutched his chest with his left hand, his breath ragged and broken.
"You… what are you… doing…?"
He gasped.
She answered:
"I'm playing with the blood."
His blood churned beneath his skin, turning against him, sharp stings rising until pain struck directly at his heart. He screamed, trying to ground himself, to force his body to obey, but the pain was overwhelming.
He whispered weakly as he wavered:
"I… won't… let you… kill me…"
She didn't care. Watching him crumble was enough. She tightened her grip one last time, then used the Blood Vakin to force him upright, his legs moving against his will, his body twisting from the inside.
She spoke in a low, mocking tone:
"You thought you meant something to me, but the truth is you're nothing. And I'm willing to kill anyone who opposes me."
She dragged him down the long hall, his body trailing behind her like a broken doll. He couldn't fight back, not even lift his head. In her rage, she left Lionel by the door, forgetting him entirely.
Moments later, Steve entered the castle. He stopped immediately at the sight of Lionel on the floor, blood staining the marble.
He whispered in shock as he knelt beside the child:
"What… happened?"