Luciel and Alex watched as the two forces started to run towards each other. It seemed like they were going to clash right in the middle where the duo was currently standing.
"We need to move, now!" Luciel grabbed Alex by his hand before running towards the horde of vampires.
Alex tried to break free from Luciel's grasp, having an instinctual fear just thinking about going in a swarm of human-sized mosquitoes, but after a little bit of struggle, he gave up. He wasn't fond of the plan, but it seemed to be their safest bet.
Staying would decrease their chances of survival, especially for Alex since he would not only need to worry about werewolves trying to rip him apart but also hungry vampires that might go for his neck.
Running towards the werewolves is a guaranteed death, his most reasonable option was to put his trust in Luciel, believing that he would save him if some vampire tried to pounce on him.
Once they entered inside a horde of vampires, Alex was surprised to see that they left him alone, he did get some glances, but that was it. They didn't even get touched by one since the vampires would just jump over them if they got in the way.
"What a crazy bunch," Alex observed, feeling amazed as the last vampire leaped over them, joining the intensive battle that was taking place.
Staring at the ongoing battle, it was obvious that the vampire forces were three times larger than the werewolves, but that didn't matter since the werewolves were still standing strong. Scratches and bites from vampires didn't do anything to them due to their protection.
With ease, even when overnumbered, werewolves started to push back the vampires until they decided to finally reveal their ultimate weapon, proving once again why they are so feared among humans and other creatures.
Armed with extraordinary abilities that put them at the top of the food chain, they also had a set of special talents as humans call them.
Suddenly, the battle started to change tides once the first vampire revealed his ability and right when he was about to get killed, he disappeared and reappeared behind the werewolf before killing it with a single stab into the heart with his hand.
A similar scene started to appear all over the battlefield. There was one vampire that turned the ground into a living sand, making the werewolves sink into the ground.
On the other side, there was a female vampire with long black hair and what seemed to be two whips made out of blood. She held one in each hand and swung them forward, wrapping them around werewolves' necks and slicing their heads off.
The ongoing battle lasted for some time and it finally seemed to reach its conclusion with the werewolves backing away.
"You two did well, my children." There was a male voice between Luciel and Alex who were sitting on the forest ground, being grateful that they managed to get a moment of rest, especially Alex since he couldn't catch a break ever since the goblin army attack.
Luciel and Alex looked up when they felt their heads being rubbed and saw an older-looking vampire.
The vampire had a black top hat and long silver hair that fell down his black coat that was bright red from the inside.
Judging by the vampire's manner of speech and the way he was carrying himself, it seemed like he was the leader of this crazy bunch.
Looking behind him, one could see Melisa and Kai who ran away. They were probably the ones who brought some help, making Luciel feel grateful to them. If they wanted harm, the vampires wouldn't have sent an army to defend them.
"I'm Nosferatu," A vampire that seemed to be in his late 50's removed his top hat and gave a slight bow to the two who were still sitting on the ground, "Thank you for protecting dear members of my clan, Luciel and…"
"Alex." He took a few more breaths before getting up, extending his arm to shake hands.
"I'm glad that we came in time. We vampires value our families more than humans do, believe it or not." Nosferatu accepted the handshake and offered his hand to Luciel, helping him get up and pat on the shoulder, "When Kai came to me and told me what happened, we knew that we had to act."
Luciel didn't say anything at first and looked behind him, seeing that the vampires who fought with their lives were now celebrating.
What was amazing is that none of them got killed. Luciel knew that their teamwork was amazing due to numerous battles with them, but still being able to win this with zero casualties is something to remember.
"But why did you save us?" Luciel finally asked a question that had been on his mind for some time now, "I killed hundreds of you, so if you care so much about your family, why didn't you leave us to die?"
Nosferatu stared right into Luciel's eyes for a little bit. It felt like he was staring right into his soul before finally giving him his answer. "But the truth is that you saved two of my kin and aren't you a vampire as well now? Like it or not, we are brothers."
Luciel frowned at the answer he got. He didn't know why he saved Kai and Melisa, he could have just thrown them to the werewolves and made a run for it, but saving them just seemed right.
What annoyed Luciel was the fact that he was getting lumped together with the other ordinary vampires while he didn't want to take part in any kind of society they had.
"The sun will be up soon. I recommend you to go and find a shelter for the day. If you want, you can come with us." Nosferatu looked up at the sky which started to lighten up bit by bit.
Luciel did the same as Nosferatu and could confirm what he was saying, not only that, but the tingling started to appear on the surface of his skin as well. It was warning him that it was time to go.
"Thank you for the offer, but Alex and I already have a place to go to." Luciel faked a genuine smile at Nosferatu, not wanting to show any kind of hostility since he didn't know if he'd ever need their help.
After all, who knows what can happen in the future. Maybe the time will come when he will need to team up with the vampires that he hates so much. If he could, he would just cut their heads in one go, but without divine arts and weapons, that was out of the question.
As all those things were going through his mind, another part of him was telling him to join them. After turning, the humans casted him away and acted like he was dead, even if he was still standing. Meanwhile, this group of vampires was openly accepting him whatever their real motives might be. Besides, he did enjoy that fight with Kai till Melisa arrived.
"All right, come and find us if you ever change your mind. Just follow the river." Nosferatu ordered his men to retreat and left, only Kai and Melisa stayed a little bit longer to give their thanks and goodbyes before running after the rest of the group.
"Alex, I'll go ahead because… You know already." Luciel avoided saying the problem, now feeling uncomfortable about himself when he is finally alone with him. "And don't get attacked by a horde of goblins again!" Luciel laughed and with that, he was off.
Alex watched his friend climb up the trees and disappear just like that, leaving him alone.
Even if he wasn't glad about this since who knows what could attack him again, he did run quite a distance when he was being chased by the goblin army, but at the same time, Alex could understand Luciel's actions. He saw what a sun could do to a vampire and it makes sense that Luciel didn't want to experience it.
Sighing, Alex looked around the forest. It felt peaceful, with the gentle breeze of wind and birds singing their melody, if he could, he would go for a nice walk, but currently, he felt exhausted and just wanted to lay down and sleep. Besides, who knows what kind of things might be lurking in the forest, wanting to get his head.
"Shiny…"
Hearing a sound coming from someone nearby as he was walking made Alex's eyes widen in horror as images of the last night flashed through his eyes. He started to speed up, hoping to reach Luciel in time.
"I swore that once I get home, I'm throwing away this armor for good." Alex finally reached an abandoned house with cracks in the walls. He arrived a little bit faster than one could expect given his visible exhaustion, but that was all thanks to the voices he kept hearing on his way, they only stopped once he reached the little town in ruins.
Once Alex entered the house and slowly closed the doors behind, he could see that Luciel was already in deep slumber on the sofa, getting a well deserved rest.
Not wanting to wake up his friend, Alex went to occupy the armchair.
"I wonder why he chose this particular house with so many cracks in the walls," Alex asked himself quietly before yawning and quickly falling asleep.