Far into the reaches of the world. Part of a forgotten continent that most wouldn't be able to survive in. A world unlike no other exists. Filled with environments that would put the strongest to the test. Many have tried to tame these areas but all fail. Never having returned.
That story doesn't matter for the moment.
At a central point in the largest swamp in the world, filled with mud that would swallow a planet, a tower sits quietly.
This tower was filled with windows that went as high as the clouds, reflecting the air back at itself. Despite this, the tower lived in shade. The swamp housed large trees with thick black willow trees that used their leaves to make sure the area never saw any bit of sun. The creatures that lived on the dark surface adapted as such, creating terrifying predators that would crush anything that dared to disturb their nests.
The tower was only accessible by those that were strong enough to survive for that long in the forgotten continent. However, the tower didn't need to be used by anyone. The only people that would ever go there were either strong enough to survive, or accompanied by the strongest.
These people made up the executives of the church of heroes.
At the highest floor, in a large metal box, sat around a circular table made from the same trees that surrounded them, the leaders arrived.
However, the group was far from civil. Past members always argued with each other and fought, causing countless environments to crumble at their power. To get around this, the meetings were held in darkness, with only the silhouettes able to be seen. No member revealed their identity to each other.
At the head of the table was a man who was far past his prime, the only person that could be seen, not that you needed light to see how powerful of an aura he possessed.
He was a man who's grey hair was long and reached his shoulders and his face filled with wrinkles. It was clear by looking at him, that everything else about him, was in perfect condition.
"Have we all arrived?" He said to those around him in a dark booming voice that caused them all to focus on him.
"We have…" King Dean said, having been asked to join by the head himself, sat as if he stood out. He could feel the power in the room and it was clear he didn't belong. He was the only outsider.
"Let us begin…" The head continued. "We received word about a vampire summoning a colossal marionette in a section of the druid's forest."
"That's no problem, Woof!" A rough voice interrupted with the sound of him salivating dripping on the floor around him. "We can easily defend a hundred of them. Woof! No matter what happens. Woof!"
"I do not doubt that."
King Dean's eyes dashed across the room, trying to look at those around him. He was unsure of why he was here. Unsure of why the head requested for only him and why he spoke to him that night.
"The problem comes from one vampire. We don't believe he associates himself with the other vampires. But the worst part is that I fear he has a spy."
Even if he knew he had nothing to do with it, King Dean couldn't help but feel anxious. He knew he had no connections to any vampire but his mind could only assume that this was the reason he was here.
Before King Dean could defend himself, not that he needed to, all the others stood up and drew their weapons. Even if nothing could be seen. The sounds of swords being unsheathed, fire being conjured, and even the air being taken out the room made his only option to be giving up.
King Dean ducked under the table, hoping no one would hit him there. Whilst he did, a female screamed as she threw her scimitar at one of her friend's silhouette around the table.
The scimitar approached quickly but, even in darkness, they acrobatically flipped away, attaching themself to the wall like a lizard.
"My my… That was quicker than expected."
The body of the women quickly melted as a red light surrounded his body, and inside was a man dressed in a suit. A typical black suit as if he was dressed for a funeral. His dark hair and soulless red eyes tracked everyone in the room. Even in the furthest parts of the room, where it was darkest, he could see them all.
"Why did you come into this death trap?" The head asked, having not moved from his current spot, not even rotating his head to see the person who was behind him, stealing the only light.
"Deathtrap? How is this a deathtrap?" The vampire jumped off the wall and slowly approached the head from behind whilst the others all stood on high alert, watching their auras. "I have a rather interesting find-"
"Silence" The head spoke whilst lifting his pinky finger that emitted a small white shine of light, paralyzing the vampire in place and lighting that side of the room. "I want to hear nothing of this 'interesting find'."
The vampire shrugged his shoulder and walked as if he was never frozen, jumping into the shadows that now filled the room. Causing everyone to go on high alert.
"I only wanted to speak about the undead king and his heart… but that can wait… Till next time."
The vampire spoke as his voice moved around the room. His aura disappearing when he jumped into the shadow and moving around the room.
"Don't think you are getting away." A heroic feminine voice called out as if they were about to save a nation from a giant evil monster. This person took out a scimitar, identical to the one that was thrown before. Slashing at one random place in the darkness. Although, almost everyone in that room knew it wasn't random.
Out of the cut darkness. Folded over as if it was paper, the vampire stood back on the wall, cracking his bones and neck. Licking his lips whilst breathing heavily as his body trembled with excitement from what was in front of him.
"I never thought someone from the Ira Crysla would be here… I really didn't want to fight... but I guess I have no choice... I can't thank you enough for the feast that I'm about to experience."