Sheryl sat in stunned silence beneath the sprawling branches of the tree, her mind reeling from the revelation. Heberlin's confession hung heavy in the air, the weight of his words sinking into her consciousness.
"You are a vampire?" she finally managed to utter, her voice barely above a whisper.
Heberlin's response was simple yet profound, "Yes."
A shiver ran down Sheryl's spine as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Her thoughts raced, and her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and fascination.
"And does Jade know about this?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Heberlin's solemn nod confirmed her suspicions, sending a chill down her spine.
As Heberlin reached for her hand, Sheryl's breath caught in her throat. His touch was electrifying, sending a surge of unfamiliar emotions coursing through her veins.
"The moment I laid eyes on you, I felt something inexplicable... My heart raced, and I knew then, this might be what they call love," Heberlin confessed, his gaze unwavering.
Vampires usually fall in love at first sight, as they are beings with intense emotions that can lead them to experience a powerful connection with someone upon first meeting. Vampires are often depicted as being bound to one person for eternity; once they fall in love, that love is only for that one person, whom they believe to be their soulmate, bound to them for eternity.
Sheryl was speechless, her mind grappling with the enormity of his words. Could this truly be happening?
But amidst the uncertainty, there was a glimmer of acceptance in her eyes as she met his gaze.
"And I just need to know... Will you accept me, despite what I am?" Heberlin's voice was tinged with vulnerability.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Sheryl's lips as she reached out to him, her hand finding solace against his chest.
"Yes, Heberlin," she whispered, her voice filled with conviction. "I accept you, just as you are."
With those words, Heberlin enveloped her in a tender embrace, a sense of belonging washing over them both.
Meanwhile, Xylon and the others searched the entire Academy for Rebeus but couldn't find him. Anxiety gripped them as there's no any sign of their missing friend being around.
"This is bad, where could he have disappeared to?" Xylon pondered aloud, his brow furrowed in concern.
Blake's keen eyes scanned the dimly lit halls, his mind racing with possibilities. "Is it possible that he's already fine and decided to take a walk?"
Yvess shook his head grimly. "We must find him, he might leave the Academy... there are many undead outside."
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a blood-curdling scream. Without hesitation, they raced towards the source of the sound, their hearts pounding with a sense of urgency.
.
....
Phoenix stood defiantly before the chief minister.
"Commence the conquest, Phoenix, not only in the realm of humans but also here in Aznar," the minister commanded.
Phoenix's response was sharp and unyielding. "And who are you to dictate me? You're not my boss."
The minister recoiled at Phoenix's brazen defiance, his shock and anger palpable in the air. "Disrespectful! After all I have done for you, is this how you repay me? Have you forgotten that if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be honored as a noble!" the minister angrily retorted.
Phoenix was also the son of the late King of vampires, born from an affair between the king and the viscountess Esmeralda. His mother's infidelity brought shame upon their family, ultimately leading to his father's suicide and his mother's execution by order of the late Queen. After the death of his parents, Phoenix was taken in by the chief minister because he discovered his unique power. Believing they could use Phoenix's necromancer abilities to carry out their plans.
In a swift and decisive motion, Phoenix seized the minister, his grip tightening around the old man's throat. With deliberate intent, Phoenix's claws sank in the minister's flesh.
"Do not presume to raise your voice to me, old man," Phoenix's voice rang out with authority. "I never sanctioned your decision to elevate me to nobility. Your choices are your own, and I care not for them."
"R-Release m-me..." the minister struggled to say.
"Tss," Phoenix dismissed him with disdain as he threw him aside.
He turned away. "Fall, let's go," he said.
Fall followed him, leaving the minister struggling to catch his breath.
.
....
Jade stood frozen in place, unable to muster the strength to move from her spot.
Before her, Rebeus loomed, his eyes ablaze with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. But there was something wrong about Rebeus. Her eyes widened as his form slowly began to transform.
"Jade!" Xylon's voice rang out in a desperate shout.
Aria's breath caught in her throat as she beheld the horrifying sight of Rebeus transforming into a ferocious beast.
"I-It can't be... He's undergoing the same transformation that befell Crayven," Maddison murmured, her voice filled with horror.
Aria sank to her knees, unable to bear the sight of Rebeus's descent into darkness. Memories of Crayven's transformation into a monster flooded back to her.
"Rebeus... why?" Xylon's voice quivered with sadness.
"Only a Necromancer possesses the power to turn someone into a monster," Xenon explained solemnly.
"What are we going to do?" Blake's voice trembled with uncertainty.
Jade's voice trembled with fear as she instinctively recoiled from the advancing beast. "D-Don't come any closer!"
"Rebeus! Don't hurt Jade!" Xylon's command rang out with authority, but it seemed to fall upon deaf ears.
It was about to attack Jade when Xylon swiftly moved, managing to save her and bringing her to safety.
It was like they had gone back in time, to a scenario where there was a monster, a young girl, and a man.
Rebeus went berserk, destroying objects and parts of the room.
"What are we going to do?" Xenon asked.
"There's only one solution to stop him from rampaging," Kan said, stepping forward from the shadows.
"What is it?" Xylon's voice was a desperate plea for guidance, his gaze locked on Kan with hope.
From Kan's shadow emerged a sword wrapped in thick cloth.
Kan took it and removed the cloth.
"A silver sword?" Blake's eyes widened in shock.
"But Rebeus will die if he's wounded by it," Aria said, her voice filled with worry and sadness.
The weakness of vampires lies in silver. When they are wounded by it or even just touched, their skin will burn and leave scars that can never be removed. And if you are stabbed in the heart by a sword made of silver, your death is certain.
"There's no hope left for Rebeus to return to his former self. He's become a monster," Kan said.
"But he's our friend!" Xylon protested.
Kan fixed Xylon with a piercing gaze. "Choose, Your Highness: the monstrous Rebeus or the safety of your comrades and the other vampires within the Academy?" Kan's words hung heavy in the air, demanding a decisive response.
Xylon couldn't answer.
"Aaahhhhh!!!" Maddison's scream shattered the tension as she was hurled through the air by Rebeus's forceful blow.
"Maddison!" Blake yelled.
"What is your decision, Your Highness?" Kan pressed, his tone more serious.
Xylon's gaze flickered to the injured Maddison, torn between duty and friendship.
"I-I entrust it to you, brother," Xylon said, embracing Jade.
Together, they turned away.
As Rebeus advanced towards them, poised to strike Zake, Kan sprang into action, swiftly driving the silver blade deep into Rebeus's chest.
"Forgive me..." Kan's voice wavered with regret as he delivered the fatal blow.
Rebeus collapsed, and Kan caught him, the silver blade still embedded in his chest.
Slowly, Rebeus began to revert to his former self.
"T-Thank you..." Rebeus whispered, his voice fading.
Until he turned completely into ashes.
Tears flowed freely down the faces of his friends, mourning the loss of their friend. Rebeus was gone...