Lying amidst the crimson pool of his own blood, Alex's vision wavered as if caught in a slow-motion spectacle. His surroundings blurred, distorted by the pain and the surreal nature of the events unfurling before him. Two figures emerged from the shadows, their forms contorting into grotesque silhouettes. One of them sprouted red, fleshy wings that mirrored the dread of ghouls, while the other wielded crimson blades fashioned from blood itself.
Time seemed to elongate as the duo's attack unfolded, red blades slicing through the air, aiming at Kira. A sinister dance of death commenced, as both parties retaliated with equally ferocious intent. Kira, her strength matched only by her determination, summoned her own arsenal of red blades and manifested six wings of macabre beauty, resembling the very creatures that haunted the night.
Through the haze of his blurred vision, Alex's consciousness teetered on the brink. He felt the chill of death's embrace, his thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. But then, as if the universe itself had intervened, clarity washed over him like a tide. His gaze darted downward, disbelief mingling with hope as he found his head intact, the wound miraculously healed.
A realization dawned on him – his transformation into a sanguine had bestowed upon him newfound regenerative abilities. With a surge of determination, Alex pushed himself up from the pool of blood. His eyes gleamed with a mix of astonishment and resolve, his body thrumming with a vitality he had never known.
Empowered by his newfound strength, Alex extended his hand, the blood beneath him responding to his command. It coalesced into a massive, gleaming red blade that he wielded with a warrior's grace. The blade arced through the air, its trajectory honed for the man he now recognized as Kyle. The blade found its mark, impaling Kyle and propelling him back into the wall of a nearby house.
Kyle's gaze met Alex's as he lay amidst the aftermath, a pool of blood mirroring the one Alex had emerged from earlier. "How... how are you alive?" Kyle's voice trembled with disbelief.
A sly smirk graced Alex's lips, his voice laced with newfound confidence. "I'm invincible now."
The sound of Kira's laughter echoed behind him, causing an awkward flush to creep across Alex's cheeks. Meanwhile, shock had silenced Kyle, his incredulity held captive by the impossible reality before him. Kira held Maira captive, her mastery over the situation undeniable. A pureblood sanguine against a mere ghoul – the power dynamic was apparent.
Amidst the lingering tension, Alex's curiosity surfaced. He addressed Kira, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "What do we do now?"
Kira's response was swift, her actions mirroring her words. With a sudden, lethal thrust, one of her ghoul wings impaled Kyle. As he stared in disbelief at the wing emerging from his chest, the last vestiges of his shock transformed into silent surrender.
Kira's voice held a note of authority as she turned to Alex. "Don't hesitate in moments like these."
Alex met her gaze, a mixture of awe and understanding passing between them. His next question surfaced, cautious yet necessary. "What about her?" He nodded toward the girl, Maira.
A smile curved Kira's lips, a plan already forming in her mind. "She'll become your first subordinate."