Leo DeGrace was on his way to his freshman ceremony at Lucus University, the most prestigious university in the Human Kingdom. The car hummed along the road, and Leo sat in the back, looking forward to the day. Aunt Luna had been so proud of him and was already waiting for him at the ceremony. Everything seemed set for a perfect start.
But something unexpected happened.
Time passed, and the ceremony began without Leo. Aunt Luna anxiously checked her watch and looked around the hall, hoping to see him walk in any minute. But as the minutes turned into hours, her hope turned into worry. She called his phone several times, but there was no answer. She even tried calling his driver, but he, too, wasn't picking up.
The hours crept by, and soon the entire ceremony was over. Luna felt a pit of fear growing inside her. She couldn't believe that Leo would just disappear. As the guests left the hall, murmuring about the strange absence of the DeGrace family heir, Luna's worry turned into action.
Using her family's connections, she contacted the police and ordered a search. Her staff spread out across the city, asking questions, checking security footage, and looking for any trace of Leo's car. But for three whole days, there was nothing. It felt as though Leo had vanished into thin air. Luna was devastated, fearing the worst.
On the third day, her phone finally rang. It was the police.
"Ms. DeGrace, we've found Leo's car," the officer said. "But... there's no sign of Leo himself. The driver is here, but he's unconscious. It looks like the car crashed."
Luna's heart sank. She rushed to the scene, hoping for any clue. She found the car abandoned on a lonely stretch of road, the driver being treated by paramedics. The crash didn't look too serious, but there were no signs of Leo anywhere. The driver slowly regained consciousness and muttered that he couldn't remember what had happened. It was like a fog had settled over his memory, blocking out any clear details of where Leo might be.
The news of Leo's disappearance spread quickly throughout the kingdom. It was shocking news, given the DeGrace family's high status. People whispered rumors, and theories spread, but no one knew where he could be. As days passed, the search widened, and Luna felt more and more helpless.
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**Meanwhile, in the Vampire Kingdom**
In a distant world far from the Human Kingdom, Leo was lying unconscious in a huge castle bedroom. His head felt heavy, and his body ached. Slowly, he opened his eyes, blinking as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The ceiling above him was carved with intricate designs, unlike anything he had seen before.
He pushed himself up and looked around the room, which was lavishly decorated but strange and unfamiliar. Heavy, dark curtains hung over the windows, and the entire room felt eerie. It took a moment for him to remember he was supposed to be at his university ceremony. Where am I? Leo thought, fear starting to creep into his mind.
He moved slowly to the window, pulling aside the thick, dark curtain. Outside, the sky was an ominous shade of red, and there was no sunlight at all—only a massive, dark moon looming over a black landscape. The rivers below seemed to run red, and strange, gothic buildings rose into the foggy sky.
"This… this isn't the Human Kingdom," Leo whispered to himself, feeling a chill run down his spine. His heart started racing as he realized he might be in a completely different world.
Suddenly, he heard a sound from the dark corner of the room. His eyes widened as he saw a shadowy figure step forward, watching him closely. The figure was tall, with piercing red eyes, sharp nails, and horns on his head—a vampire. Leo froze, his fear paralyzing him.
The vampire slowly smirked, a twisted, almost amused expression on his face. He looked every bit as powerful and intimidating as the legends described.
"Good morning, Leo DeGrace," the vampire said in a calm, deep voice. "It's nice to finally meet you. Welcome to the Vampire Kingdom."
Leo's breath caught in his throat. He felt a rush of confusion and terror. How does he know my name? Why am I here? he thought, panic rising inside him. He clenched his fists, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Who… who are you?" Leo demanded, trying to appear braver than he felt. "And why am I here?"
The vampire chuckled, taking a slow step toward him. "My name isn't important right now. But I will tell you this much—you are indeed in a different world. A world where humans rarely, if ever, set foot. You're in the land of vampires, Leo."
Leo felt like the floor had dropped out from under him. He'd heard stories of the Vampire Kingdom, a place sealed off from the Human Kingdom for centuries, ruled by powerful beings who could live for hundreds of years. No human had ever set foot here. "Why… why am I here? I didn't ask to come here!" he stammered, feeling his heart hammering in his chest.
The vampire watched him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The Vampire Nation has heard of you, Leo DeGrace. And while I can see you have many questions, some things will have to wait. I'm here to tell you that you were brought here for a purpose."
Leo shook his head, his fists clenched. "I don't care about your purpose. Send me back! I have a life, a family… I need to go home!"
The vampire's expression hardened. He moved closer, his presence filling the room with an intense, overpowering aura. "I wouldn't speak so freely if I were you, Leo," he said in a cold tone. "You may not realize it, but you're in the presence of power far beyond anything you've known. It's a privilege that I even allowed you to wake up here."
Leo swallowed hard, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. This wasn't some dream or a joke. He was really here, in a world he knew nothing about, surrounded by beings who saw him as an intruder.
Suddenly, the vampire's tone softened, and he motioned toward the door. "I'm taking you to someone who has been waiting to meet you. Someone you'll address with the utmost respect. Follow me."
Leo hesitated, but he knew he had no choice. Heart pounding, he followed the vampire through dark hallways lit by flickering candles. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting scenes of battles, vampire kings, and strange, otherworldly creatures. Everything around him felt ancient, as if this place had existed for centuries beyond his world's oldest buildings.
Finally, they stopped before two massive doors with intricate carvings. Above the door, in elegant letters, were the words *Lord Valentine*. The vampire turned to Leo, his gaze sharp.
"Inside, you'll meet Lord Valentine, ruler of the Vampire Kingdom. He is not just a leader—he's a being of incredible power. So choose your words carefully," he warned.
Leo felt his throat tighten, but he nodded. He had no idea who Lord Valentine was or why he was so important, but he knew he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. The vampire pushed open the doors, and they stepped into a grand hall.
At the far end of the room sat a tall figure on an ornate throne. His presence was as majestic as it was frightening, with an aura that radiated authority and strength. Lord Valentine's red eyes glinted as he looked down at Leo, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"So," Lord Valentine's voice echoed in the hall, smooth and cold, "this is the human who crossed into my land."