The general and Diach continued talking about possibilities of the testing as well as the new breed for quite some time. They went through various scenarios and possibilities before changing subject. The only ones that interested me were the ones about how we would go about getting one's body for testing.
The options seemed to be: overrun an unsuspecting one in our side of town, which was very unlikely as we had no way of knowing who was a new breed or when they would be around; we could hunt them but after some excessive Moonwalker deaths they would certainly be on guard against us; or we would have to bide our time and wait for one to come to us.
That was the only viable option we had so we decided on it as a group. I would be a key part of the strategy as the Moonwalkers had an obsession with capturing me. They have been trying since I was first turned.
For this to work, I needed to be stronger than I was. Stronger, faster, and smarter or I would die on this endeavor. For that, I needed to train. It had been a few days since my last session and I was nearing getting my weapon. Hopefully with a push, Odesza would cave and let me get a weapon early.
It was hours before General Shu and Diach finished talking and planning. I was sipping my third glass of blood when the general got up to take his leave.
"Well, gentlemen, this has been fun as always. Diach, we will talk some more at a later date. Skytel, it would do you well to keep in mind what we have discussed tonight, all of what we have discussed." The general said cryptically. Diach shook his hand before the general took his exit. We followed soon after to go back to our room to catch some sleep. I would have a full schedule the next night and it would not due being tired for it.
When I awoke the next night, I leapt out of bed to get my tux and head to the armory. Odesza was waiting when I entered. It was odd to see him not polishing the weapons. He seemed to be lost in thought.
"Hello?" I called out waving my hand in front of his face to no response. After a few unsuccessful snaps, I rubbed my hands together and clapped loudly inches from his face. He jumped at the sound before coming back.
"Oh, Skytel, just the vampire I was waiting for. After talking with the general last night, we have decided it would be a good idea to get your weapon ready so we will be doing double lessons going forward until you are efficient with your weapon of choice. I hope you are ready because things going forward will not be as lackadaisical as they have been." Odesza said without wasting a breath. The lessons thus far were rather difficult but thinking about how they would be more effort inducing gave me a headache just thinking about it. But I would get my weapon quicker so the trade off was worth it.
I was gasping for air within the hour. Odesza was not showing any signs of letting up either. As we continued after a break, each time Odesza struck me, it felt like my bones were breaking. He took a more physical approach since we switched to double lessons.
The trainer was incredibly strong as well as aware so there was no avoiding his strikes. It was over another hour before we completed the first lesson. I needed a break and some nutrients if I was going to make it a second lesson. Luckily, Odesza had gone and stocked up for this eventuality.
He tossed me an O- bag which he knew was my favorite. After gulping down half the bag, my insides felt like they were on fire. I was left on my knees clutching my chest from the pain.
"You should probably take it slow. You are somewhat damaged and need to absorb the nutrients more thoroughly." Odesza said sipping away at another bag of blood. After taking a few moments to calm down, I took a seat across from the trainer to slow down. The bag was watered down so it went down easier as well as hydrated me from all the sweat that was pouring out.
After a short rest, we were back at it. The second lesson was much smoother and faster as it was polishing some techniques and acquainting myself with full power strikes in my human form. We worked through it in slightly under an hour. As I was getting ready to leave, Odesza stopped me to talk.
"I heard you are entering the tournament coming up." Odesza asked calmly looking towards me.
"That is correct." I said shocked at how quickly he heard the news. It made sense since the general had been here and he was the trainer. He probably had a list of all the participants.
"That is very interesting. I cannot wait to see how it turns out this year. The competitors are much more evenly matched yet skillful than previous years." Odesza said forebodingly. People kept doubting me and I was getting sick of it.
"I am the strongest. I will prove it to you, to the general, and to Diach. I will not be doubted any longer after this tournament. You will all learn your places under me before long." I said angrily. Odesza innocently threw his hands up in an expression of non aggression.
"Relax. You will likely win but there are some interesting competitors. This will not be as easy as you think." Odesza said before going back to sipping his bag. I left in an angry flare to go feed. When I walked in, there were guards by the counter. Before I could turn and leave, the guards were standing in front of me.
"We have some questions. You do not have the option of turning us down." One of the guards said coldly. I was brought into the prince's room along with the receptionist and the guards. The princes instructed the guards to put on some restraints so I could not transform or escape.
"We have some questions about some of the feed humans. The clerk here has brought to our attention that two of the humans were not actually dead when they were dumped but instead have been spotted back at their hometown. According to him, they were assigned to your room so you were the last to have contact with them. Care to explain how all these consistencies are coming together? You would do well not to lie." Hoizon said watching me carefully. They were all sitting with their weapons in hand this time.
"It seems you have already figured everything out. Explaining would do no good. Just think what you want." I said boldly from my knees.
"Respect the elder." Hideki hissed at my comment. Being their golden boy, I knew they would not kill me unless I made a grave mistake but setting a few humans free did not seem like it was that big of a deal.
"That was a big mistake. Humans are not meant to be treasured. They almost destroyed this planet and have earned their place in the lifeline as just meat." Hoizon said looking me in the eye. Hideki had his eyes on me cautiously.
"I fail to see how that matters. So I let a few humans go, what is the worst that could happen?" I said shrugging my shoulders. We were vastly superior to humans and it is not like they could do much to stop us once a vampire made up his mind.
"We do not kill them because we're sadistic. We kill them because now that you have let them escape, they could easily come back with the whole city on their side. There is not much even a vampire can do when surrounded by hundreds of guards.
"There needs to be less guards and better guarding. That would solve all of our problems." I said looking at the princes challengingly.
"I see. You my child, are pretty cynical in nature. I feel that's a necessary problem that needs correcting. Be careful how you speak to us, boy. We are still your leaders and disrespect will not be tolerated." Hideki said without looking up at me. He was laid out across the chair picking at his nails.