The shadowy coat that had enveloped him during the battle started to dissolve in a spectacular fashion. It turned into wisps of dark smoke that swirled around him before vanishing into the air. Beneath the vanishing shadows, his clothes remained perfectly neat and unscathed, as if untouched by the fierce combat.
Alex, still in awe of what he had witnessed, couldn't contain his curiosity. "Robert, how did you do that? What kind of power—"
Robert cut him off, his expression calm and stoic. "Alex, it's best not to pry into others' lives," he said quietly but firmly. "Everyone has their own path and secrets. Focus on your journey."
Alex, slightly taken aback, nodded slowly. He could sense the depth and determination in Robert's words. There was an unspoken strength in his demeanor, a self-reliance that made him seem almost untouchable.
As Robert stirred and slowly woke up, the first light of dawn began to break. He glanced around and saw Alex nearby. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Robert asked, "How long have I been out?"
Without hesitation and still maintaining his stoic demeanor, Alex replied, "Seventy-two hours."
Robert didn't seem surprised at all. Instead, he nodded as if this was to be expected. He noticed Alex practicing the move he had used in their battle. "You're doing it all wrong," Robert said calmly. "Let me show you."
With precision and patience, Robert quickly demonstrated the correct technique, correcting Alex's form in minimal time. Alex watched intently, absorbing every aspect of Robert's instruction.
Back on Earth, in a dimly lit room, Diablo sat deep in thought. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows across the walls, reflecting the turmoil in his mind. His usually confident demeanor was clouded with confusion and fear.
He replayed the moment over and over in his mind—the man in black disappearing into the shadows. Diablo couldn't shake the image. The mastery of such an ability was unsettling. How could someone possess such power? The possibility that the Prince of Darkness had somehow taught this power to others nagged at him, but it made no sense. Summoned beings couldn't teach their abilities to anyone else. Yet, here was a man who vanished into the shadows with unnerving ease.
The simplicity and effectiveness of the man's actions to rid the world of vampires were shocking. It was a method that was terrifyingly efficient, and it left Diablo both confused and scared.
Sitting in the silence of his dark room, Diablo's mind raced with questions. The fear of the unknown gripped him, mingled with a sense of urgency to understand and prepare for whatever lay ahead.
With a deep breath, Diablo steadied his thoughts. Despite the fear and confusion, he knew he had to find answers. The presence of the man in black was a puzzle he had to solve, not just for his own sake, but for the safety of everything he knew.
Silver strolled through the grand halls of the castle, her mood unusually buoyant. The early morning sun streamed through the stained glass windows, casting vibrant patterns on the stone floor. She glanced around at the castle guards, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
The guards' faces were a mix of confusion and suspicion, their eyes darting around as they silently wondered who among them could be trusted. Even the high-ranking officers, who usually exuded confidence, appeared uneasy.
Silver couldn't help but smile. The uncertainty among the guards was almost palpable, and the situation amused her greatly. To see the stalwart defenders of the castle so unsure of one another was an unexpected delight. It was as if she were watching a grand play unfold, with intrigue and suspicion as the main themes.
She continued on her way, her steps light and her spirits high, enjoying the unusual sight of the normally stoic guards in such disarray. The castle, usually a place of order and discipline, had become a stage for an unscripted drama, and Silver was thoroughly entertained.
As Silver continued her lighthearted stroll through the grand halls of the castle, her path was suddenly blocked by a stern-looking guard. His armor glinted dully in the morning light, and his eyes held a mixture of urgency and authority.
"Miss Silver," he addressed her firmly, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave this area immediately."
Silver raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And why is that?"
The guard's expression was tense. "The man in black was seen within the castle walls. For your safety and the safety of others, we need to secure this area."
Silver's amusement faded as the gravity of the situation sank in. The mysterious man in black had caused quite a stir, and the guards were on high alert. She nodded, understanding the seriousness of the matter. "Very well," she replied. "Lead the way."
As she followed the guard, Silver couldn't help but glance around, noting the heightened vigilance among the castle staff. The appearance of the man in black had thrown the castle into a state of heightened alert, and trust was in short supply.