Though underground, the area beneath the Tai Chi diagram was anything but dim. Alia, a young woman, lay unconscious on the ground, her body still from the aftermath of their sudden fall. In that fleeting moment before they had plunged into the unknown, everyone, including Alia, had pushed themselves to the limit, using every bit of skill and power they possessed to avoid shattering upon impact. Alia, however, had been forced to be even more careful. She couldn't afford to reveal her vampire nature, not even to save her own life. So, she relied on the techniques she had learned while living in Joy City, releasing the kinetic energy from the fall in gradual bursts. She had managed to land without serious injury, but the strain on her body had been too much. Exhaustion took hold, and she collapsed into unconsciousness the moment her feet touched the ground.
After what seemed like hours but was likely only minutes, Alia's eyes fluttered open. She found herself in a vast, empty space. The air was cool and heavy with the scent of ancient stone. She groaned and pushed herself into a sitting position, glancing around in confusion. "Where am I?" she muttered under her breath.
A voice came from behind her, calm and slightly mocking. "We are beneath the Tai Chi diagram. We all fell down here."
Alia's heart raced as she spun around to see the figure speaking. It was Howard. Her muscles tensed at the sight of him. She checked herself quickly, hoping to find no injuries, especially none that might have led to Howard discovering her secret. Her relief was palpable when she found no marks on her neck or wrists. Had Howard bitten her, her true identity as a vampire would have been exposed.
"Don't worry," Howard said, his lips curling into a sneer. "I'm not that desperate. I prefer my followers to submit willingly."
His words sent a shiver down her spine, but Alia forced herself to remain calm. Her mind raced as she tried to assess the situation. She had to stay cautious; her secret was too dangerous to let slip. Forcing herself to breathe normally, she asked, "Where are the others? Why is it just the two of us here?"
Howard chuckled, his tone mocking. "You really don't know? It seems that even with all your human-like efforts, this situation is beyond your comprehension. Surviving that fall was probably your limit. The others must have been separated from us. You're lucky to still be alive."
Alia scowled but didn't rise to the bait. She had learned from experience that Howard thrived on provoking those around him, and showing weakness or frustration only gave him more power. "If you don't want to answer my question, that's fine. But I bet you don't know either."
Howard ignored her retort and began to walk, examining the area with casual curiosity. Alia watched him warily but soon realized she had no choice but to follow. The underground chamber they had landed in was large, its walls smooth but clearly ancient, with intricate carvings that suggested it had been built long before their time. Light flickered from unknown sources, illuminating their surroundings just enough to reveal that they were not in total darkness. Above them, the Tai Chi diagram from which they had fallen rotated slowly, casting a pale glow down from the white half of the symbol.
As Alia studied the diagram, Howard glanced up at it as well, his expression shifting from indifference to something closer to curiosity. "This place is more intriguing than I thought," he mused aloud. "I came here expecting nothing more than an ancient battlefield to explore. But this…" He gestured toward the walls and the rotating diagram above them. "This is a relic. A palace, perhaps. Quite fascinating."
For the first time, Alia noticed that Howard's demeanor had shifted. When he was around others, he was always composed, cold, and distant, yet here, alone with her, he seemed different—more relaxed, even confident in his control of the situation. She coughed, the ache from their fall finally catching up with her body.
Howard noticed the bruises forming on her skin. After a brief pause, he made a decision. Without a word, he walked over to her and, to Alia's shock, reopened the wound on his own hand. Before she could protest or move away, Howard cupped her face with one hand and used the other to drip his blood into her mouth.
The sudden act of feeding froze her in place. She had no time to resist. Her eyes widened in surprise and anger, but she couldn't fight back without revealing her true nature as a vampire. She could only convey her displeasure and pain through her eyes. However, as the blood flowed into her mouth, she felt something shift within her. Her bruises and aches began to fade, her strength returning slowly but surely. Advanced vampire blood had potent healing properties, and she realized that this particular blood was familiar—it had to be from Henry's bloodline, the traitor's lineage known for its regenerative abilities.
Forgetting her need to conceal her identity in the moment, Alia used her newfound strength to push Howard away. Wiping the blood from her mouth, she stared at him with pure, burning hatred.
Howard was startled by her sudden forcefulness. He stepped back, a flash of confusion crossing his face before he masked it. "You don't know your place," he muttered, his voice cold again. "Act like that again, and I'll leave you here to rot."
Alia forced herself to calm down. Now was not the time to confront him. She took a deep breath, then asked, "Why does your blood have healing properties? I've never heard of vampires possessing that kind of ability."
Howard smirked, but there was still a trace of irritation in his eyes. "Some secrets are better left untold," he replied curtly.
Realizing that pressing him further would yield no answers, Alia turned her attention to their surroundings. She needed to find a way out. After some time, she found no hidden exits, no clues to their escape. She looked back and saw that Howard had sat down, closing his eyes as if meditating.
Elsewhere, beneath another part of the Tai Chi diagram, Emma, Talon, and Leona had landed safely. Each of them had used their unique skills to cushion their fall. Emma turned to Talon, her brow furrowed. "What just happened? I felt like we were being pulled in different directions. Peter was separated from me, and now we're here."
Talon glanced up at the diagram rotating above their heads and replied, "The scene above was just an illusion. The real Moon Palace is underground. That pulling force must have divided us into different chambers."