Chapter 8

• *Underground City*
• The underground dwellings did not offer privacy nor separate accommodations, what it did offer was a safe place to stay, food and running water. Each section would house anywhere between 10 to 100 families. Designed similarly to the Northern territories' underground bunkers, though on a much larger scale. The whole system ran from the south seas to the north seas. Along the eastern shores to the mountains that divided the western and eastern lands. Unless the individual knew where they were going, they easily could be lost in the maze of pathways. The tunnels were created to confuse anyone who was not part of the underground society.
• “At ease Officer Eagelvale! How does everything look?” A male asked from his table and chair.
• “Coronel Jax … the Brax family is settled and has disturbing news!”
• Coronel Jax hissed, “what news did they tell?”
• Filling his lungs, “the attack on the capital has begun, Major Davder has advised those that can leave to start moving out.” Officer Eagelvale pushed the rest of the air out of his lungs, “Rimvan’s family has made it to Unnash for the burial rights!”
• Coronel Jax straightens his back, “this does not seem like a good time for Rimvan to leave his post!”
• Clearing his throat, “Rimvan is dead!” The officer tried to keep his composure. “With everything that has been going on up there, word has not circulated to us, he was killed when Coldfurgus attacked the alpha’s. Though the alpha king is dead!”
• “We need to get word to Zane, where is he?” Coronel Jax stood up as he led the way out of the section.
• Officer Eagelvale followed the colonel, “we do not know as of yet. I did not want to send word until I was able to inform you of the situation.”
• “We are going to have to move fast, I will send word out for Zane to get a hold of us. His last mission was set at Silver Heath. He should have checked in with the control centre by now.” Coronel Jax entered the command centre.
• Everyone who was in the area stood up, 13 heads bowed giving the colonel the respect he had worked for.
• “At ease!” Glancing at the workers, “has anyone heard from Zane?”
• The workers glanced at each other shaking their heads, “sorry sir!” A female answered when no one else would.
• “Send a message out …” The 13 workers quickly sat down, with their hands all on the telegraph. “Coronel Jax is looking for Zane Hunter!”
• The workers were tapping the transmitter, sending the seven-word message out in all directions.
• “What is going on Colonel Jax?”
• Turning around Colonel Jax saw the Black Widow standing behind him, “Coldfurgus is dead … along with Colonel Rimvan.”
• “Where is his family?” Black Widow asked with anger in her tone.
• With a short answer, “burial rights!” Colonel Jax said as he walked past her.
• Black Widow turned on her heels to follow the colonel, “do you want me to find the family and bring them to safety?”
• “They are located in the north, it will take them time to get to the Ace Sea. We will intersect the family when they get to Dorasea.” Colonel Jax said as he continued to stroll, “I think it would be best if you located yourself back near Dorasea. You are our best assassin. If there is anyone that can keep the family out of harm's way it will be you.”
• “I am going to grab a snack before I leave … I am famished!” Black Widow licked her lips.
• “If you ever wonder why everyone fears you, that would be why!” Colonel Jax chuckled.
• Singing, “there is always a cheater out there somewhere!”
• *Emperor Castel*
• “I am pleased to inform you that the telecommunication system has been repaired, my excellency.” An elderly man bowed.
• The emperor stopped pacing the location, “are there any messages from Lord Ascelius?”
• “I am afraid there are no messages!” The elderly man promptly replied. “There was a message left from Lord Hannabel. A disturbing message saying that he was not able to get a hold of one of his runners. He had sent the girl to Nightfall Forest, where there was a small community of humans and a few shifters. There were complaints that required inquiry. Lord Hannabel said that he believed it to be the feeble minds, playing tricks on them. So he did not send a unit, but a skilled warrior.”
• Emperor Baldwin sat down in his chair, “was there mention of who was sent?”
• Glancing down at his clipboard, “Asema Hunter! She joined the rank only a few years after her rebirth.”
• “A Goldflower descendants, I remember the fledgling now!” The emperor rapped his rings off of the arm of his chair. “Did Lord Hannabel have anything else to say?”
• “I am sorry my excellency, since the incident we haven’t been able to get in contact with any of the other kingdoms. We are assuming that like here, they as well are facing telecommunication errors.” The elderly man’s heart was pounding so hard in his chest that he believed he would have a heart attack and die.
• “Continue trying to get a hold of the lords of the other kingdoms, I want to know what is going on!” The emperor stood up and was aiming his feet to leave the location.
• Bowing as the emperor passed him, the elderly man held his breath. Only when Emperor Baldwin was out of the area did he dare to leave the location.
• *Whispering Hills*
• Shifting into his dire wolf form, Alpha Zevar bowed his head, said his goodbye, and wished the group of Ancillae warriors a safe trip. While the group of vampires dashed off towards Whispering Port, Alpha Zevar trotted northwards. Keeping to his plan Alpha Zevar ran 30 miles along the shuttle tracks. The alpha kept his ears and eyes on full alert. There had not been any reports of vampire attacks in this area, but that did not mean that nothing was there now.
• The sun was above him when Alpha Zevar, pulling out his food and water, studied the map he memorized the track and the location, he noticed something he had not paid attention to originally.
• There was a river that went from Dorasea, through the Yadah plains, along the Golden Forest branching off one river going to Whispering Port and the other heading to Erolzwald.
• The alpha placed his finger where he believed he was located. Glancing at the shuttle tracks and the river, Alpha Zevar was starting to question his actions. It would take the alpha two and half a days to run and he would reach the river.
• “I would have a source of water. And where there is water, there is food.” Alpha Zevar muttered to himself.
• The alpha tapped his finger on the map as he was thinking. “If I were a hunter I would keep more to the forests and rivers.” With his finger, Alpha Zevar followed the tracks and river to the Yadah Plains.
• Tapping the map again with his finger. “The tracks go north west, while the river flows to the Daha Lake. If I follow the river it would cut my travels by eight days.” Again the alpha muttered to himself as he placed bread in his mouth. Chewing, he continued to think out loud, “downside to this plan, I may not be able to warn the hunters and nomads of what is going on. Upside, I could shorten my travels by eight days.”
• Folding up the map he placed it back in his pack again. Finishing off his meal, “I think I need to consider every angel before I make a decision.” The alpha spoke out loud to himself.
• *Whispering Port*
• Daybreak was beginning to present itself as only a handful of citizens began to stir out of their slumber. Making their way to the shuttle station, Damillan was the first to reach the front desk. There was a clear glass with a hole big enough for only a hand to fit through. Sitting in the small office was a youth no older than 25 years old, at the back of the office was an older male in his 50’s.
• “Good morning sir, how can I help you?” The ticket seller asked Damillan.
• Smiling, “I was wondering if you had any … issues with vampire attacks?” Damillan asked.
• The youth moved back slightly as he saw the teeth of a vampire. Damillan pulled out his ring which was his personal seal, which showed he was part of the emperor’s army. The elderly man moved the youth out of the way as he examined the seal.
• “Wawa,” The elderly man said, “go for a break!”
• He glanced at his coworker, “But… I just got here!” He glanced at the elderly man and then at the vampires. “Yes sir!”
• The elderly man waited for Wawa to leave, “are you here because of Balvalur? Lamia said he wouldn't be here for a bit.”
• Damillan glanced over at his seven companions, “no! We are here to warn you of a possible unregistered vampire issue.”
• The elderly man’s eye bulged open, “so … it has begun!” The elderly man opened the door to his office allowing the Ancillae to enter. “It will be a bit before the people wake up. I need to notify the alpha king …”
• “Don’t bother, Erolzwald’s telecommunication tower has been destroyed!” Melantha stopped the male from continuing with his motion to pick up the telecommunicator. “The alpha king is dead and Alpha Zevar has left to notify the other kingdoms. Though if you don’t mind, I would like to use your telecommunicator to let the emperor know what is happening!”
• The elderly man stepped to the side, “I am Caid!”
• The Ancillae introduced themselves one at a time. After that Caid picked up his personal telecommunicator.
• Melantha left a detailed message telling the emperor of everything that was going on. She also requested additional units to deal with the growing crisis. Placing the receiver back to where it belonged her sight was set on her companions.
• Caid was about to tell Melantha something when who he was trying to get a hold of answers.
• “Zane … it has begun! Yes, I will be notifying the bloodline.” He paused as he listened. “I have the emperor’s men here … no, just eight.” The elderly man listened again to what was being spoken to him. “Erolzwald’s telecommunication system has been destroyed.” Caid was bobbing his head several times. “I will speak with Therzana, but I do not think she will listen to a word I have to say.” Caid handed the telecommunicator to Melantha. “Zane would like to speak with you.”
• Melantha placed the telecommunicator to her ear. “Ancillae Melantha speaking!” She greeted the mystery speaker.
• “Zana Hunter! We don’t have a lot of time. I am located at Hucori Jungle,” Zane was whispering into the receiver. “There are over half a million unregistered vampires that I spotted heading in the direction of the capital. Forget about what your mission is … get a hold of the emperor and tell him he needs to send reinforcements before it is too late.”
• Melantha listened to each word Zane had said, “what's your rank vampire?”
• Snorting, “nomad! Listen to me, there is not the time to discredit what I am saying to you. There are over half a million unregistered vampires ready to kill anything that moves.”
• Melantha closed her eyes as she spoke her next words, “we have left messages asking for reinforcement. You already know that without the proof of a crime, Emperor Baldwin will not waste any resources that he does not have too.”
• Zane hissed out of frustration, “then head to the capital, look for Rimvan Longarm …”
• “I’m sorry …” Melantha said, “Rimvan died in a battle against Coldfurgus, his family are giving his burial right at Unnash.”
• There was silence on the other end for a long time, “is the bastard dead?”
• “If you mean Coldfurgus, yes Rimvan’s daughter killed him!” Melantha replied with each word laced with sympathy.
• Clearing his throat, “good! Find Straightarrow, tell him this ‘All the units of the species support each of the singular elements, and the elements vow to support the whole!’ He will understand what that means.”
• Melantha repeated what had been told to her, she knew it was a code but what it truly meant she was unsure. “Is there anything else you would like to be passed on?”
• “I have to go, it is going to take me a bit to get everything up and going. Remember to forget about Balvalur, he is nothing now, focus on getting as many people to listen to you and get to the capital.” Zane ended the conversation.
• Melantha glanced at Caid and handed him back the telecommunicator, with a puzzling look on his face.
• “All the units of the species support each of the singular elements, and the elements vow to support the whole! That means Zane is getting the underground fighters together. He is going to take over what Rimvan left off with.” Caid smiled, “one fourth of the group is already at Erolzwald. The remainder is scattered all over Dorhelhound.”
• Valinai gave Caid a genuine smile, “Rimvan had a big impact even when no one listened to him.”
• Caid chuckled a bit, “Rimvan is the descendant of Nyfus and Levreh Bloodrose.” Chuckling more at the reaction of the Ancillae’s.
• “The bloodline is dead!” Melantha stated her truth.
• Curling the corners of his lip, “are you sure or is that what Levreh wanted you to believe?” Cain tapped the side of his head, “Levreh knew that she needed to hid, when one changes their last name enough, it is easy to hide in plain sight.”
• Melantha thought about what was spoken, “Levreh would have went to Lamia.”
• “Not if it meant that the family was in danger!” Cain replied, “the bloodline survived all this time. Levreh saw this event, she could not say when but she knew, a daughter would be born a vampire with eyes of gold and tiny teeth.”
• “A vampire is created, not born!” Melantha stated her truth. “You are speaking of tales that Blayze spread around.”
• “Yet he was born a vampire not created like you!” Cain also pointed out a fact. “The Alzrin and Ironwood bloodline have never really followed the rules when it came to evaluation.”
• Damillan snapped his fingers, “that is what they are hiding!” He began to laugh, “the Alzrin were never known for listening and doing what they pleased. Emperor Baldwin and Lamia will be pleased to know that Levreh’s offsprings survived the banishment.”
• Nelo commented. “This will also explain why no one understands where the Longarms came from. They change their last name more times then we can keep up with the bloodline.”
• Caid smiled at the group, “how else may I help you?”
• “When I left the message with the emperor about Balvalur, you were going to say something. What was it?” Melantha asked.
• Snapping his fingers as he remembered. “Balvalur is going to be boarding the shuttle to Dorasea in two days. Where he is now I don’t know.”
• Theron placed his hand on his shoulder, “delay the departure as long as you can. We have to leave once we finish at the financial institution. But … Alpha Zevar is heading to Dorasea now. Anything that could pause the departure would give the alpha time to get there before the shuttle … with any luck!”
• “You need to get to the financial institute, you're in luck, my nephew works there, I can get you what you need. Though if I might ask why?”
• Damillan exhaled as he told Caid the state that Erolzwald was in. The elderly man nodded his head as he listened to what was being spoken of. “Ask for Dominic Hunter. Once you finish there go to this address,” Caid gave Damillan a slip of paper that he had written down an address. “It is a safe house for travelling vampires. There I will give you everything you will need. I get off in less than an hour. The financial institute opens up at that time. By the time you finish there I will be at the address.”
• Wawa came into the door, slowly moving as his eyes landed on the vampires.
• “Boy get on the phone, code red!” That was all Cain said.
• Eyes wide open, “code red … are you sure!” Wawa stuttered.
• “Don’t make me say it again boy!”
• “Yes sir!” Wawa picked up the phone and started to punch a code. Each time someone picked up he would only say ‘code red.’
• “You must go on your way,” Caid’s mind was beginning to come up with a plan as Wawa continued with his task. “I will see you in roughly two hours at the address.”
• ***
• The group of Ancillae warriors arrived at the financial institution as the doors were unlocked for the public business. The male that opened the door eyed the vampires up and down. “Damillan?”
• Stepping forward, “That will be me!” Damillan raised his hand to indicate to Dominic who he was.
• Pivoting, “Follow me!” Dominic said as he scanned the location.
• In a private office, he asked the Ancillae to come in and close the door. Sitting behind the desk, he began to tell the group what Caid had told him. Melantha explained what their purpose was for being at Whispering Port.
• Turning on his processor, Dominic began to type on the keys, “all I need is your name and the number code to your personal finances and I can get what you need.”
• As Dominic continued to work the Ancillae could not help but notice how everyone was glaring at them through the glass window. “I take it you don’t get many vampires here at Whispering Port?”
• “Ah!” Dominic glanced up from his processor, “we have our share but none of … your ranking. We get nomads depositing their gold and then they leave.” He brought his attention back to the processor as he continued to finish their business matter.
• Getting up from his desk, Dominic told the group that he would only be a moment, as he was going to go and get their gold.
• After a while of waiting, Dominic came in with the funds the Ancillae had asked for. “Caid gave you the address, correct?” He said as he began giving each member their gold.
• Taking his gold, “yes! We are going there next.” Norrix said as he bounced the pouch of gold in his hand.
• “Excellent! If Caid isn’t there don’t leave, ask for Kayla Goldfinger. I was told that she has blood waiting for you … free of charge of course.”
• Skeptical, “What is the catch?” Valinia asked.
• Snickering, “Zane’s orders!” Dominic sat at his desk, “Rimvan and Zane have been preparing for this for over 15 years. It was always clear that if Emperor Baldwin's fighters should come here, we were to aid you in any way we could. Now we are wasting time chatting like school girls, get to your destination.”