Everyone's sorrow deepened as Maddison clutched the urn containing Rebeus' ashes close to her chest.
The mansion, once filled with vibrant life, now stood eerily silent. The echoes of laughter and joy were gone, replaced by a somber stillness. Rebeus' laughter, noise, and teasing will never be heard again...
Emerging from the shadows, Kan made his presence known. Coming from Aznar, he bore urgent news. Swiftly approaching Xylon, he delivered his message.
"Your Highness, I bring word from Aznar. The council has decreed that your coronation shall take place on the next full moon," Kan relayed.
Xylon raised an eyebrow in surprise. "So soon?"
"There is little time to spare, Your Highness. Chaos reigns in the realm of humans due to the relentless onslaught of the undead. The vampires are in dire need of a new ruler, especially with some ministers acting against the council's authority," Kan explained urgently.
Maddison tapped Xylon on the shoulder.
"You must depart for Aznar immediately, Your Highness," Maddison insisted. "They require your presence without delay."
The others nodded in agreement as Xylon let out a heavy sigh, understanding the weight of his responsibilities.
.
.
Aria found Cedrick standing alone on the rooftop.
"Are you still harboring anger towards me?" Aria's voice quivered with uncertainty.
"Tsss," Cedrick's response was curt, his tone laced with bitterness.
"Ced..." Aria reached out to him, her hand hesitatingly extending, but he evaded her touch, turning to face her with a steely gaze.
"Don't touch me," Cedrick's words cut through the silence, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain and resentment.
"P-Please forgive me for concealing my true identity... I was only afraid of losing you," Aria's voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes.
"I despise your kind! I hate vampires... because of you, my parents died!!!" Cedrick's accusation echoed off the surrounding buildings, filled with raw emotion.
Aria's tears flowed freely, her heart breaking with every word. "I-I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," she pleaded.
"Sorry? Will your apology do any good for me? Can it bring back my parents? I don't want someone like you!" Cedrick's final words were a dagger to Aria's already wounded soul as he turned and walked away, leaving her behind, tears staining her cheeks.
The pain of being rejected by the one you love cut deeper than any blade...
.
....
Meanwhile, Phoenix and Fall were now at the cemetery, facing thousands of undead.
Phoenix waved his hand, and with a snap of his fingers, the undead moved quickly, heading towards Serolf Academy.
....
.
"Are you leaving?" Jade asked.
"Yes, but I'll be back soon," Xylon assured her.
"Maddison mentioned your impending coronation as the new King... does this mean our time together will be limited?" Jade's voice betrayed her melancholy.
Drawing closer, Xylon gently cupped her cheek.
"Don't think like that. Just because I'll be a king doesn't mean I'll forget about you. After I become a King, you'll be by my side. I desire your constant presence, for you shall reign as my queen," Xylon declared.
"R-Really? You won't leave me?" Jade sought confirmation.
"Never... not ever," Xylon vowed, enfolding Jade in a reassuring embrace.
Returning the embrace, Jade held him tightly, her smile breaking through the sadness.
.
.
Kan and Xylon made preparations for their departure. They would soon embark on their journey back to Aznar, while the others remained behind to safeguard the Academy.
"Are you ready?" queried the Gate Keeper.
"Yes," Xylon answered.
With a wave of his hand, the Gate Keeper conjured a portal leading to the realm of Aznar.
Before stepping through, Xylon cast a glance back at Jade, who smiled warmly in return.
Entering the portal, they traversed the distance in mere moments, arriving in Aznar without delay.
"Welcome home, Your Highness," greeted the Priest.
In deference, all the vampires bowed in acknowledgment of Xylon's return.
.
.
....
Love knelt before the Chief Minister.
"What is your plan now, Your Excellency?" Love inquired respectfully.
A sly grin curved the minister's lips, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"I have decided that when the prince dies, you shall also kill Phoenix... he is worthless. He only thinks of himself," the minister divulged.
"But if both of them die? Who shall ascend to the throne?" Love pressed, seeking clarity.
"We will appoint a new King devoid of knowledge, a King who shall blindly obey the orders issued by the council. A puppet King, to be exact," the minister declared with certainty.
Rising from his seat, the minister reached out to tenderly stroke Love's cheek.
"Kill Snow... then proceed to eliminate all the nobles in the Academy," he ordered.
"But Snow and Fall are your children?" Love questioned.
"I don't care about them anymore. They have been nothing but failures," the minister dismissed callously.
With a respectful bow, Love took her leave from the chamber.
.
....
Xylon stood quietly by the large window of the palace, gazing out into the distance.
"In just a few hours, Your Highness, you will ascend to the throne. Congratulations," Kan remarked.
Xylon's expression remained pensive as he responded, "I'm not sure if I should be happy, brother. Being a King is such a heavy responsibility."
Feeling the weight of Xylon's uncertainty, Kan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You're not alone, Your Highness. We're here to support you," Kan reassured him.
"Thank you, Brother," Xylon acknowledged gratefully.
Moments later, the palace attendants approached with reverence.
"Your Highness, your attire for the coronation awaits. Please commence your selection," the lead attendant announced respectfully.
"Alright," Xylon said.
He walked towards his chamber, followed by the servants and Kan.
.
.
"Argh! Why am I here again?" Jade complained.
Once more, she found herself in the disconcerting realm of her recurring dreams.
"Welcome back, Jade. I apologize for appearing to you so rarely these past few days," said her doppelganger.
"Why did you even show up?" Jade asked.
"To warn you. A catastrophe is coming, Jade... our merging is drawing near," it replied.
"A c-catastrophe???" Jade stuttered.
It nodded.
"Many lives will be lost, and one will make the sacrifice..." it continued.
"And who will be sacrificed?" Jade pressed, her heart pounding in her chest.
A moment of hesitation, then the reply came: "I do not know..."
"You mentioned our merging? Does that mean we will become one?" Jade's inquiry quivered in the air.
"Yes, and when you use my power, I will take over your body," it said said with a sinister grin.
Jade froze in place.
"W-What do you mean?" she asked.
Her doppelganger laughed maniacally.
"It's simple, Jade. When you call upon me and need my help, I will come to assist you... we will become one. But in exchange, I will take possession of your body and you will be trapped in this world of emptiness... together, we will destroy the world! Haha, we will wreak havoc upon the world!" it said, sounding deranged.
"No! I won't let you use me!!!" Jade's defiance rang out, a defiant declaration against the looming darkness.
But her doppelganger continued laughing until it disappeared.
Jade woke up in tears. She wouldn't allow the world to be destroyed.
.
.
Inside the Academy, the vampires were engrossed in their activities, oblivious to the approaching undead horde. The guards were taken aback as the gate suddenly gave way, allowing the relentless undead to flood in, plunging the surroundings into chaos.
Meanwhile, in the mansion, Maddison and the others were deeply engrossed in their studies when they sensed an unsettling presence.
"Chaos is erupting outside!" Blake shouted.
Rushing out, they were met with a harrowing scene of undeads attacking the students.
"How did they breach our defenses?" Stephen's voice trembled with disbelief.
"We need to take immediate action before the infected multiply. Their numbers are growing!" Heberlin's urgency resonated in his words.
With resolve, they split up to fight the undead.
Jade covered her mouth in shock at the sight of the countless undead outside.
"J-Jade, what are those creatures... I'm scared," Sheryl's voice quivered with fear.
Pulling Sheryl into a reassuring embrace, Jade whispered, "We'll stay here. No matter what happens, let's not make any noise."
They quickly closed the windows and curtains and locked the door. They prayed in silence while hiding.