"Stop!"
The deep, authoritative voices of the two guards echoed through the corridor as they appeared, blocking the path. Their black armor gleamed under the dim light, with vivid red details that seemed to pulse, almost as if alive. Both wielded spears of a deep crimson, so intense that Strax could have sworn they were made of coagulated blood, molded into weapons.
"Huh?" Strax tilted his head slightly, his interest piqued. It was the first time he had encountered vampires who didn't belong to the Scarlet clan. But it wasn't just these two. He could feel it.
Thousands of red eyes seemed to be fixed on him, hidden in the shadows and behind the walls. Each one emanated a distinct, powerful presence, like a unique signature of strength.
'All of them...' Strax thought, his gaze narrowing as he analyzed the presences. 'These vampires have the strength of Grandmasters. It's not just one or two, but many. A whole military force made up of elites.'
