Karim had used a portal to get them to the capital, directly into the fort. Ilyas keeled over as they landed. He always hated portals. They made him feel sick. He could feel his stomach turning in circles as he shut his eyes, trying to dissipate it. Karim looked down at him with pity. Ilyas stumbled slightly, clutching at his stomach as he took a deep breath shaking off the disorientation of teleportation. The air was thick with the scent of earth and metal, mixed with a hint of smoke from distant campfires.

As his vision cleared, he looked around . The fort loomed around him, a colossal structure of stone and timber, its walls towering high into the sky, fortified with battlements that seemed almost insurmountable. It was a grand spectacle, unlike anything he had ever seen. So this is the eye aye? Their main stronghold.

The sheer scale of the place was breathtaking, it was bustling with activity. Soldiers in various types of armors and colored surcoats marched with precision, their boots echoing against the cobblestone paths. Some were training with swords to the side, their movements fluid and practiced, while others were busy tending to equipment or conversing in groups. The clamor of voices, the clang of metal, and the distant sounds of drills created a symphony of military life that thrummed through the air.

He marveled at the banners that fluttered in the wind, each representing different factions and allegiances, a patchwork of colors and emblems that told stories of bravery and conflict. It was a world steeped in history and purpose, and he felt a strange mix of irritation and awe. As he took a few hesitant steps forward, was finally gone, replaced by a growing sense of excitement.

A massive spiral staircase was dead center, allowing for easier travel to the different levels. Ilyas wondered why they hadn’t just installed elevators. Karim began to walk, Ilyas stuck close. The different soldiers gave a courtesy nod whenever they noticed him. He, in return, gave them nothing but silence. The two travelled up the staircase. The cracked marble stairs echoed loudly with each step they took. The spiral continued and continued, they stopped a couple flights up, Karim heading to a door. He knocked twice before opening, not waiting for an answer. Ilyas stepped through, standing to the side of the office. A man with red, slicked hair was in a seat, his smirk prominent. He glanced at Karim before looking at Ilyas. 

 “Hmm, So you must be Ilyas,” he stood, extending a hand that Ilyas shook. “I am Taldris. Your employer.” 

 “It’s nice to be doing business with you.” 

 “Likewise. You wouldn’t believe my shock when I heard from your dear brother here that you took out a vampire, all on your own,” he stared at Ilyas’s eyes, then pendant. “Despite being only half vampire. Impressive.” 

 He nodded. “Thank you.” 

 His smirk grew. “I’m sure Karim has let you know about my next mission. A search and rescue.” I nodded again. “I sent a squad into Ardonia a while ago. I haven't heard anything from them since, which is odd. In two weeks one of my best squads have gone radio silent, and with your recent vampire incident, I’m inclined to believe they’re pushing the offensive on my scout patrols inside Ardonia as well.” 

 The general clenched his fist. “That continent is massive, and the humans who live there are rarely sane, or friendly. I plan to do recon around Umbratara, which are the vampire areas, and the lands of Yamiyama, the lycanthropes areas. I don't think anyone else could have touched that squad. They are very dear to me, so I’d like to get there soon in hopes of minimising what damage has already been done.” 

 His eyes went wide. Ilyas had never known there were actual named areas in Ardonia, or anything close. He always imagined the continent of Darkdwellers to be a mess of monsters trying to eat each other. He stroked his stubbly chin. He felt a moment of realisation knowing that they were somewhat coordinated. He bobbed his head in contemplation. The idea that humans lived there was very strange to him as well. “I’m ready whenever you are. Sounds like some real bleak crap.” 

 Karim turned to leave. “I shall take my leave. Farewell General Taldris.” 

 “To you as well,” he greeted. He turned to me, eyes me up and down. “You certainly aren’t anything like your brother, and I don't just mean the vampirism. You’re strength heavy it seems, I assume you use a larger blade?” 

 Ilyas held his hand out, his palms warming as he summoned the greatsword. “Sure do.” 

 “Perfect. You’ll be vanguard then.” He scratched his chin. “Aside from being able to summon your blade, are physical attacks the only thing you can do?” 

 “Uhh…yeah. I think so.” He pondered for a moment. Magic has never been my strong suit, no matter how much I tried. Maybe my mana is just nonexistent.

 “Strange. Even if you’re only half vampire, you should have an affinity for Illusions.” 

 “Illusions?”

 “Yes. Those eyes of yours, they can put people into worlds of imagination, disorientating them quite a bit, or even hypnosis of sorts.” Ilyas furrowed his brows, wondering how true those words were. He leaned back in his chair slouched. Taldris didn’t have any of the qualities a General of the Ashen Sancti should have. Or the ones he assumed anyway. He wasn’t uptight, he was engaging, and he may even have seemed a bit lazy. “Aside from that, you should have augmentation, being able to transform into a mist or a bat. You seem like you have enough vampiric blood in you to achieve those. No matter, we’ll work on it in Ardonia, no time to waste. One of the members we’re looking to rescue, Aeon, can give you a masterclass once we’re done.” 

 “Really? That sounds perfect.” The idea of enhancing what he was capable of made his eyes sparkle. He had spent his entire fighting career focusing on strength, after hugos assistant had many failed attempts at teaching him how to use any sort of power, he decided he had no affinity for it, and instead made sure to be as strong and fast and skilled as possible. To be able to gain abilities that would soar above that ceiling, made the job ten times worth whatever price he was going to get. 

"Your blade sings when you summon it, Ilyas," Taldris remarked, leaning in as the ambient hum of the teleportation circle he was making began to glow. Ilyas looked at it with a frown. "But your strength isn't only in your arms—it's in your very blood. Remember that."

Ilyas grinned, the glow of his pendant caught a stray beam of light. "I never imagined my fangs would come with its own soundtrack of power," he countered. "I do, however, feel it in every heartbeat and every swing. I'm ready to learn."

Taldris stroked his chin thoughtfully. "In Ardonia, you will need more than brute force. The shadows there whisper secrets, and you must learn to listen. What do you fear most?" he questioned, his voice barely above a murmur.

"Fear?" Ilyas laughed softly. "I fear falling short of what I can be I guess. Or maybe losing my family… but I won't let my doubts hold me back." His tone hardened with determination as he met Taldris's steady gaze.

"Good," Taldris nodded approvingly. "That spark will be forged into purpose amid darkness, and amid chaos, you must lean on that inner flame. Ardonia's grounds are treacherous; every step challenges your resolve." He paused, then asked quietly, "Do you understand what awaits you?"

Ilyas tilted his head, thinking back on his encounter with the bloodsucker at his house. "I do."

A slight smile played on Taldris's lips. "Good. And remember, even the most hardened warriors find solace in bonds forged in the fire of trials. Your journey may scald you if you stand alone. I will be there for guidance—until you learn to see beyond the material realm, to the echoes of your true heritage."

"Oh chain me to your teachings if you must, seems that's a prerequisite of joining the Ashen Sancti," Ilyas snapped playfully, though his eyes burned with earnest anticipation. "But if I trust in myself and lean on the strength that runs in my veins, then no shadow can quiet my resolve."

Taldris chuckled softly. "Very well. Now listen closely." He stood up, fingers dancing over mystical runes and compressed energy. "We're heading to Ardonia. I need you to stay alert. The moment I trigger the teleportation circle, our mission begins."

Ilyas adjusted his stance, nodding. "I got it."