Night soared with the twin wings upon his Dark Gold Blood Qi vibrating ever more rapidly, his connection with the northwest intensifying relentlessly.
In his mind’s eye he beheld vividly a realm on the verge of violent metamorphosis, spinning into a vast whirling portal – like an entity straining to emerge. The entrance, palpable and imminent, loomed tantalizingly nearby.
Yet his cover was irretrievably compromised; descending fiercely in pursuit came combatants of unmatched calibre from the lone peak, led by none other than a supreme warrior.
Confronted on the brink of a dilemma Nyx pressed his jaws firm before launching himself forward, propelling at top speed toward safety.
His movement drew immediate notice. The foremost among the descending forces swiftly gained upon him, though no less skilled his escape proved arduous as they remained in visual pursuit.
A deafening howl erupted at the summit; shadows launched through the sky at impossible speeds pursuing in haste.
Nyx glimpsed at their approach with deepening apprehension. At the heights he had feared, one of Count-level, if not superior, was at command up there. If this was indeed William at his prime, he had mere chances to flee before being ensnared.
Meanwhile within his rushing body the tiny wings continued shaking furiously, releasing waves invisible through space.
Ahead, the air shimmered disturbingly, an enormous looming door gradually revealed in a spectrum of colours scanning like waves, while behind its frame danced ghostly shadows slowly stabilizing—resemble a lush forest but with strange variations in its foliage, almost as though mirrored.
Despite Nyx only being aware of these dimensional gates from studying the basics of Force Arrays and firearms, he disregarded doubts as his body rushed through.
Unexpectantly his wings stilled, yet strange power flowed from unseen domains throughout his limbs—a force ready to hoist him upward.
A needle of peril stung his back – the hunters were upon him.
With swift deliberative resolve, Nyx threw him aloft weightlessly surmounting natural heights and floated beyond into that swirling gate.
The moment Nyx was inside, the vividly sweeping lights grew chaotic as a looming doorway wavered on the edge of fading existence.
Ruisheng Li roared fiercely; a glowing torrent burst at his back, materialising spectral green serpent eyes glowing faint upon the collapsing threshold.
The radiant disorder halted instantly restoring stability albeit at grievous cost for he faltered with pallid expression and sweat drenched features.
A Count vampire entered mere paces slower – followed hurried among other lower vampires through that portal in hot pursuit. Immediately turbulence retook control of the stable threshold causing grievous backlash onto Li spewing arterial fluids while spectral imagery dimmed as red trickles oozed.
Moments later, the portal convulsed, projecting the wounded Count vampire violently outward surrounded by pale glistening droplets manifesting in torrents of flame burning his once unmarred flesh rendering it into darkened cinders exuding cries of unimaginable agony. The ethereal rains pursued unwaveringly striking ceaselessly at his charred form.
Gasping in disbelief Ruisheng Li discerned in those sparkling beads—condensed auroral light force deadly as poison to vampiric bloodlines steeped within darkness.
Never could he, until that very moment had conceived, within a sanctuary crafted by such a great dark sovereign would dwell these deadly defenses let alone the mastery over the aurora’s essence refined enough to condensate into physical form.
Dreading at what further dangers could manifest, relinquishing further stabilising duties weighing heavily on health and well-being, Ruisheng immediately intervened dispersing remaining auroral light mingles enveloping the ground stricken Count releasing it from the raining onslaught.
Tending promptly to a near-motionless aristocrat several subordinates arrived applying first aid to help steady the weakened vampire nobility.
Partially restored dimensional entry flared erratically only momentarily before two more shrieking vampires emerged incinerated to crisp before vanishing completely.
Stunned upon observing the portal’s complete collapse; he queried despairingly, “Was this truly the end – entrance no more.”
Ruisheng analyzed carefully the residual energy patterns; his gaze transforming into vertical-pupiled ophidian eyes, scanning the void where magic once converged, answering solemnly, “No – the possibility still lingers, given resources and the strength from other greats.”
Hastily the Count pledged alliance and communication, instructing a junior lord with an emergent call back to summonage. The messenger’s departure exuding urgency, leaving in its slipstream trail determination.
Reaping commendations already guaranteed from being the pioneering entrance discoverers their position elevated amongst dark hierarchies awaiting grand recognition, yet such fortunes hinged crucially should that intruding figure plunder Blackwing monarch’s hoarded treasures leaving repercussions cascading over all responsible.
Yet hope flickered as two more nobles ventured the portal before final evanescence still inside the void; perhaps capturing the mysterious figure remained viable.
Reflecting the figure’s strength only comparable momentarily to lowlier elites, surely a meek adversary for seasoned nobilities—yet perhaps their initial recklessness revealed the hidden.
Before long, the winds carried an approaching storm as celestial disturbances heralded an entourage’s proximity their mere arrival pressing heavily upon gathered spirits even Ruisheng paling momentarily.
The elders of eternal night stood suddenly before them—a wraith-cloaked aristocrat draped in jet-black tunic adorned in golden vines and chalice emblems worn with dignity by Garay from the ancient Lazkin kin.
Proffered without pretence the Duke handed a briefcase, “All shall now convene at my demand; reinstate the gate.”
Ruisheng responded dutifully; preparations unfolding efficiently across minutes forming upon the terrain sprawling arcane matrix.
Channel energy surged radiantly piercing air revealing a new portal cautiously forming anew.
However before further ventures, Garay obstructive halted a fellow aristocrat’s eager advance into unknown horrors awaiting beyond; after moments observing, he deduced ominously of internal barriers set to target highborn incursives.
The gathered gazed upon charred remains of previous victims – grim awareness settling that none would willingly test his wrath.
Garay issued directives demanding all lesser ranks of aristocratic or junior station immediately mobilised arriving within an imposed three-hour window.
Yet a whisper crept upon Ruisheng’s breathless reflection, of greater trials deeper still, these lesser vampires might likewise face unforeseen resistance for even a guarded sanctuary may house hidden treachery from ages past.
Garay spoke softly, “Worry not—I shall keep applying relentless force against the boundary allowing these sublords safe traverse.”
“Wide margins,” thought a troubled Li, his voice hushed by chilling apprehension. Margin meant dangers yet awaited beyond.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage