The powerpoint slide moves to the next and last topic of the day, which was the Demon Continent. Immediately, a tense atmosphere builds up amongst the delegates.
“As you all know, aside from the Knights of Eldwood who have been frozen by the Grand Wizards for five months, the Demon Continent has been ruthless in its espionage operations within the six continents. But more predominantly on Geraldia and Dragovh, as both continents are directly below them. I know many of us wish to look away from this world's geopolitical problems, but due to the nature and danger of an entire continent full of Vampires, Werewolves, Hellspawn, Elves, Dwarfs, Demons, and Demon Worshippers. Were also in danger, some sought out for a united force to strike a direct and deep blow to them or at least a defensive force. Eldwood’s report states that they have bulletproof Knight armors. Same as the ones some of you had encountered a few months ago.”
The slides show a well made illustration of the continents and roughly their size. Dragovh was measured at around 7,000Km wide while Geraldia was at 11,000Km wide, the reactions were mixed. “As you can see, the plan here is to penetrate deep through West and East, get to Vitas before there King, Nergal starts the alleged Reset which is a world end event where billions of Demons will arise from the ground and kill everything on sight, to so called return the balance of the world.” Some now see how much land they’re still yet to cover, while others are already aware and know there’s still a lot to be done. John and Paul on the other hand could not grasp the entire photo, the two continents side by side were extremely tiny and what got their attention was the large Kingdoms that controlled gigantic regions.
“Holy shit, some of those Kingdoms are larger than Rome at its peak.”
“I know, God Dammit John. We’ll need more people and more equipment.”
Hassan on the other hand was quiet, but his hands were visibly clenched while looking at the photo.
“Though only Four thousand kilometers wide and eight thousand kilometers long from North to South. The Demon Continent’s extreme ability to adapt and overcome has become a problem. Many of you as I know have encountered them in the first months, they were easy to defeat. Bullets could kill them without a problem, even their skilled Assassins and Black Hoods were no match for modern technology. Two months ago, we started encountering them with bullet proof helmets and their Knights were fully capable of tanking Five-five-six and seven sixty-two rounds without a problem.”
The General Secretary leans on the podium, showing his stress at the situation.
“If they could adapt at such a fast pace, it won’t be long till our weapons would become redundant and the only thing we could use would be Cruise Missiles and Fighter Jets. We must come to a conclusion now if we’re gonna act upon them, or take the risk, pour everything we have into an expeditionary force and get out. Many of us seemed conflicted on this, hence this will be our topic. Any comments or suggestions?”
The room was quiet at first, but some people already started voting. One man from the SEA Server stood up, a general from a Southeast Asian Guild.
“The only reason why me and my colleagues haven't supported the idea of going to the Demon Continent is due to the advent of geopolitical discussions upon the major Kingdoms. One for fact the Kingdom of Gerald and Bohn. Two extremely large Kingdoms with millions in their Renaissance Era war machine, if we step into this, we’d also get caught in their problems.”
Immediately, a man in a suit representing NA Server, from a Midwest Guild stood up.
“Even though my Guild's main focus is logistics and trading, I can’t help but comment on this too. The moment we were teleported or isekai’d as other people state, we’ve already taken upon the problems of our continents. If not now, it’d only be a matter of time till more and more curious delegates and diplomats approach us for trading and commercial goods. I suggest we break this ice now and open up to them, not only will this give us a good word but also improve our relations to the general populace which has an extreme stigma against people from our world due to the power and culture differences.”
Like a chain reaction, two more people stood up, far apart. The first man bows and lets the second talk first. He raises a thumbs up and fixes his jacket.
“I agree, we must act now and connect further to the Kingdoms and Natives of this land. We can’t be playing autonomous zone forever. Right now, the only reason why they haven’t marched millions of soldiers into us is due to the fact that we’re scattered and many of us are leveled and equipped, they can’t risk it now. But the more we pool together into our modern cities which we’ve built way before we got transported here, the more likely they’ll act more drastically.”
The first man who stood up, wearing a suit with a flag pin of South Korea speaks up.
“I’d like to add that we’ve had reports that some player guilds had sided with the Demon Continent, mostly those who got unluckily transported there when the switch happened. We must act now and save those whom we can. That place is a living nightmare, we must risk it and get involved now. It also concerns me that the most powerful Vampire and Mages player of Dark World VR has not made his debut yet. We must know what side he is on and prevent him from starting something that might end us all.”
Hassan then stood up.
“In light of the Mages, they appeared upon us to save the Streamer known as ElizabethMotherf, titled as the Sword Saint of our community, hence why we were frozen for months. I suggest we get involved with what’s happening here, the Grand Wizards Guild are probably in this or have knowledge that we do not know of.”
Slowly, the votes start turning more to the Yes, Get involved.
“There’s also the biggest factor to this. The more we get involved in wars, the more we can stir up support for our cause. Show the people that we’re fighting the good fight. Doesn’t matter if it lasts forever, as long as we can brew enough of a support. We can be given a green pass to do whatever we want. Our Era and Generation has little to live for, if we can use this war the right way. We can basically have an endless pot of public support.”
The NA Guild Leader’s word spoke like a fairy selling sweet words and the Votes immediately turned to the majority in a span of two seconds. The loud clicking of the players deciding yes.
“Good point American, as an Asian. I wholeheartedly agree to this. This is what we did to push support in World War Three a decade ago. Though most wounds are already healed, that’s how we did it and that’s how the Americans did it in the Middle East. Desire for war is usually hidden until you give some remotely good enough reason to support it and people will hound to our side without a care about truth or facts. As long as we have the Scientists and Experts on our side, we can do whatever we want as told by our Western counterparts.
After a few more tense rebuttals and debates, a resolution was reached and it went from a fifty-sixty to an overwhelming ninety to ten. After a brief silence, the mallet was dropped and a final conclusion was met. As if machines that went on overdrive for a brief minute, many of the officials sat their backs on their chairs and let out sighs from the huge amount of stress. Others started dialing numbers on the phone, visibly tired and anxious from the day and ignoring the General Secretary and the Presentation. The Knights of Eldwood though was silent, the trio sat there waiting for the dismissal.
“Okay everyone, please settle down. You can relax when you go back to your hotels and houses. I’d like to start the ending speech with a thank you message. C’mon everyone, let’s settle down.”
In the bustling city streets, Alana and Bahamut are having the time of their lives. Buying food and clothing and sightseeing the great monuments and looking at impressive graffiti scattered throughout the city. Wearing modern clothes complete with an expensive lady’s bag, she feels the vibration of the flip phone given to her on the back pocket of her tight denim pants.
>Meetings done. I’ll text you again when I’ve finished talking to the other people here.
>Ohhh politics.
>This entire day is the reason why I didn’t want to get into it.
>This is just a Monday as you’d call it.
>Heyyy, she’s learning the lingo.
>Lingo?
>Just be ready to get going, finish whatever you're doing and wait.
>Okie.
>Okay, who the heck is teaching you these words?
>Some guys on the beach.
>Alright, just be ready,
“Aw, I wanted to see the clubs.” She closes the phone and turns around.
In the parking lot of the UN Buildings, Paul is having a conversation with another General from the Men of the Woods.
“Look, the best method for us to minimize casualties is to use artillery and missiles. Saturate the area, don’t spare one shell. Keep hammering it till nothing remains.”
“Yes, but we also need eyes on the ground. I hope you can provide that, I heard the Knights of Eldwood were some of the best Eldritch Death Knights out there and you have some game changing asset, a native of sorts am I correct?”
“Thanks, Though the final plan still hasn’t been approved by Hassan.”
“I guess it's already done.”
“Eh?”
John sneaks up behind Paul and smacks the back of his head
“HEY, YOU FUCKER!”
“Yo, Hassan put the cap on this. We’re being sent to war.”
“Oh Christ, go time huh?”
“Yep, the Men of the Woods will be providing you with two more tank companies, all M-One A-Two Sepv-Three Abrams.”
“At this point, why not just make a Tank Army? I have more tanks than I need.”
“They did say speed is the key, the Chinese and Italian already reached the first city. They’re just blitzing through the entire place.”
“I’m sure the local Church is having a seizure from the mass amount of random dudes in modern equipment appearing out of nowhere.”
“Yea, better start hauling ass.”
“Roger that, I’ll see you later.”
“Uh huh, they’re at the airport by the way. Look out for the ones with the Volcanic Red Dragon Art on their cannons.”
Paul nods and boards a black SUV that was waiting for him. Telling the driver to go first pick up some of his friends who were waiting at the Park. After some tedious traffic due to the military vehicles and equipment moving through the city from the airport, they finally reach the Park where there’s a crowd of buff Elven and Human men surrounding a bench.
His face quickly becomes stale realizing that’s where Alana said she’d wait.
“Aww fuck.”
“Should I call the Police, General?”
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“No, no need.”
He puts his cap on and steps out of the car, silently walking to the bench. In an attempt to get the attention of the well built tanned men, he screams. “Uhhh… HELLO?!”. Some look behind but ignore him. Facepalming from his miserable attempt, the crowd was suddenly silent as the Vampire stood up, she simply walked through the crowd as they made way for her. Bahamut upon seeing him, without a second thought opens her wings and flies into his jacket, hiding inside a pocket.
“I guess you're tired huh?”
“Thou’s head is spinning… too many people, Master.”
“Alrighty, just rest there.”
He looks up and is staggered by what Alana was wearing. He couldn't bear to not look away from her skintight Jeans as Bahamut slithers its way into his inner pocket to rest.
“What the fuck are you wearing?!”
“What? It looks good on me doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but a bit too good. Get in the SUV. We got stuff to kill.”
“Woohoo! Also, carry my stuff.”
“Aw, c’mon.”
After picking up the bags of clothing and apparel and putting them in the car, he lazily hops back in and rests his head on the seat.
After a few minutes of waving through traffic, the trio arrive at the airport and quickly go through the Service Gate where the massive open tarmac was filled with hundreds of thousands of tons of military equipment, from stacks of military crates to military vehicles all grouped together and prepared for transport. Upon exiting, Paul takes in the sight and walks to the stockpile. Looking at the Main Battle Tanks he notices the ones that are theirs and closely checks its armor and tracks.
“I never understood you humans, and your thirst for these lifeless machines.”
“What do you mean?”
“It might be just me, but what’s the purpose of these? To us Vampires, it's a virtue to always fight your enemies head on. We’d never let such lifeless creations do the killings for us.”
“That’s true, but not like you Vampires. We Humans are only limited by our life. Thus, we make things more efficient, better and faster. That also applies to our nature of killing and destroying.”
“The problems of being a mortal.” She touches the cold hard upper plate of the Abrams tank in front of her.
“Indeed, but in the end. At least we’ll die knowing we did our best. It might not be perfect by all means, but hey, it’s better than dying because you did nothing.”
“I wonder… will this world also come to this stage?”
“Seeing how the majority of the population here are humans, it’s bound to happen.”
“Then what about you? As a human, don’t you think these machines are too much?”
Explosions are heard in the sea as Destroyers fire another barrage of Long Range Cruise missiles into the Continent.
“It’s never too much. We’re humans Alana, it’s in our nature to adapt and overcome. To build and to make, we don’t have your luxury of living for eternity.”
“Luxury? Ahahaha, maybe.”
“Just saying, in my world. Humanity has been endless in its attempt to beat the wall.”
“The wall?”
“It's what we used to call the end. The impending wall where you just wither, stop, and finally die. You Vampires don’t have those, unless you mess with the wrong enemy.”
“Huh, you humans are more complex than what a lot of us Vampires think.”
“What, you never met one or two of us and had a heartfelt conversation about life?”
“No. I don’t waste my time on mere mortals till now. You did great Paul, very great.”
“Then, I’m honored.”
A few seconds past, the Countess visibly in deep thought. She then replies, with her voice in such a serious tone.
“I always laughed back then… When the humans I fought always told me that I have an advantage over them just because I could live forever, that I could merely wait till they’re dead and take over the Kingdom they once loved and have it given to the Vampire Nation.”
Seeing Alana’s cold and serious face, Paul stays silent as she continues.
“Immortality… maybe for those young, it’s a great gift. One would never die, get old, wrinkly and as you said, wither away. But what good is there to come from not dying…? Many of us Vampires stay away from relationships like these, getting attached to humans or Elves as we all know, the pain of seeing you grow old, grow weak and unable to walk will be a pain that shall be shredded in our memories. And when you finally die… we’ll cry, and cry till we cannot. A feeble life you all live, I can even say, many of us do not hate thou for one’s ability to stand against all, but one’s ability to die and die peacefully without regrets.”
Her face was a bit flushed, he’d never seen her look like that, she usually puts up an air of extreme elegance and posh, but here, she seemed like a magnificently beautiful butterfly, trapped in a jar that’ll never break.
“I know this might not mean much, but for us humans, we always say this. Make the best memories with someone, as you’ll never know when they’ll pass. I hope you can carry that with you Alana, ride till you die. That’s my mindset when I took you in, no matter what. I’ll be with you, even in my limited time of living.”
As if he hit a chord in her, she began to sniff, though no tears were falling.
“Ahahaha -sniff- ahahahah… you humans really do have a way with -sniff- words.”
“Ah… oh shit, I-i apologize!” Panicking, Paul could only apologize to the lady.
“No… no. It’s fine. You know… you humans are a beautiful thing.” His jaw dropped, for the first time, she made a wholesome smile, one without any malice or pain. Just a smile of a beautiful girl trying to get by.
“-Sigh- You should try doing that more you know.”
“Huh…? Doing… what?”
“Smiling like that.”
Curious, she feels her cheeks and notices that she’s smiling without even noticing it. She starts to blush, embarrassed by what she showed. Paul on the other hand is making a cheeky smile, as if he just caught a fish out of the net.
“Hey… to me, smiling means you have hope. Smile as much as you can, it’s free, costs nothing and doing it can make someone else’s day like how you made mine.”
“Grrrr… where did you learn to be that smooth!?”
Cruise Missiles fly high above them, reaching for the skies above the clouds as it travels to its destination to deliver high explosive damage to those who were unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time while Fighter Jets take off from the busy runway a few hundred meters next to them.
“What can I say, if a pretty lady opens up to me and shows me a smile like that, how can I not take advantage of the situation? Damn, if only I was this lucky back in my world.”
“I thought you’d have many concubines with you already, with talk that smooth.”
“Hah, the women of my world run differently, let’s just say… it leaves much to be desired. Not that they're ugly, no. The invention of the Internet showed how many pretty women are out there, it’s just not that little to none are actually marriable.”
“Then why not stay here? Find someone to marry and have a good life? Since we met, I’ve always felt like you hold a grudge against your world's society.”
“Maybe, but at the same time, I do love it. I run a company you know? A big one, actually a week before I got transported here, I was at a grand opening of our new main office in South Korea. But I never stayed in those, you’d always find me in the truck shops in my yards, helping out and driving trucks. It’s only one part that I don’t have a positive eye on, but the rest, I absolutely love. I’ve met many great people, hardworking men and women and I gave them a way to rise and have a peaceful life.” He was smiling and looking up the entire time, the face of a man proud of his achievements and milestones.
“No wonder you want to go back. Heh, I swear to my Ancestors. To the Ancient ones and the creators of the Kingdom of Blood, Thou shall bring one home!” Like a Noble pledging herself to the Lord’s orders. She puts her hand on her chest, above her heart sealing her task to help him go home. As if to return his attack, Paul was the one blushing and flustered this time.
“O-Thank you.” He looks to the left, avoiding to show his emotional face.
As if to escape from showing more of himself, he continues his walk, checking the tanks while mindless skeleton soldiers march by them and more rockets fly high above the skies. Alana on the other hand looks at the Terminal, eyeing something on the first floor, standing next to a cargo/arrival luggage entrance. He notices this and looks too but could barely make out anything due to the range.
“Uhhhh… anything there?”
“I felt a gaze… someone was looking at us.”
“We do stand out a bit. Why? Wanna check it out?”
“This one’s different. I might have to.” She squints her eyes as if to threaten whoever was looking at them.
Seeing that Paul was busy checking the tanks, she teleported to the Terminal and was standing below the gigantic glass windows in a mere second. She looks around, inspecting the two metal doors that lead to the cargo room. Players who were moving some baggage shocked her. One curious man who was swayed by her looks stayed to entertain her.
“Excuse ma’am, how may I help you?” The man was in work attire complete with a yellow hard hat, ear protectors and reflector vest. He was young and vigorous, ready for hard work and laborious tasks.
“I’m looking for a strange figure that was standing here.” Alana’s petite and slender figure stands out as the two talk, her tall stature and height created an aura of authority and beauty at the same time.
“Hmmm… can’t say for sure ma’am. The terminal is empty due to the arrival of the Clan and Guild Officials. I’m just doing some final checks since tomorrow, things will be back to normal.”
“What about friends, do you know any females that work here?”
“We have a lot of females working on the second floor, on the top. Mostly reception and gatekeeping.”
“And here in the baggage area?”
“Nope. Most of the process is automated anyways, we just transfer it. No need for that much manpower.”
The Vampire stays silent for a few seconds, and looks down in deep thought.
“Uhhhh… ma’am?”
“May I be allowed to go inside and check it out?”
“I apologize ma’am, but permission from the Head Chief Mechanic or Security is needed before allowing anyone to enter.”
Using her Vampiric magic, she uses light charm on the man. Though the player was aware, he was caught off guard by her casting it by mere stare. Like an Ocean current that was suddenly shifted by the wind, he simply looks to the tarmac and starts walking aimlessly.
Paul on the other hand could see her, the long black hair reaching her heels and that unmissable figure of a pretty woman in contrast to the bright Sun that was right above the rather quiet airport.
“What the Hell is that woman up to?”
Alana entered the luggage area without a shred of doubt, immediately she was met with a long concrete hallway that was quiet, if it was a human walking through it. He or She would be able to hear their breath or heartbeat.
As she continues her walk, slowly her clothes light up and it changes its form back to her long red dress and her hands were as straight as it could be. Her senses were on fire, looking through every nook and cranny. At the end of the Hallway as a partially opened door.
Upon entering, she was met with an extremely darked out luggage area where numerous Baggage Carousels intersect and meet, though not seeing anything, her senses were on still fire and her gold coloured eyes were visible as she started her walk through the maze of conveyor belts that leads to the second floor where arrivals of passengers are located.
The clacks of her heels ring out and each step was light and thoughtful, as if she was walking in a place where there’s people. Behind her through the dark was a figure, sensing this. She keeps walking, waiting for a chance to attack.
Through her senses, the figure behind her was obviously walking but it wasn’t making a singular sound. No breath or heartbeat, Alana immediately casts multiple high level spells on herself. Buffing her already ungodly speed, agility and danger to even more levels.
And just like that the figure was completely gone behind her. She turns around to check if it left anything and her skin goes on alert, telling her that it was right behind her this time. Her pointy vampire ears were twitching, trying to hear a bit of the sound of the person, but it was completely silent.
“Freeze.” Her deep womanly voice immediately stops the figure that was keeping its distance from her.
“A Vampire too…” She muttered. Her hands were swift, if it weren’t for the air breaking apart, you wouldn’t even see her swipe which sliced the figure behind her in four places.
“Tsk.” What fell down on the ground was just a black leather robe.
Her head immediately tilted to the corner top left on the large room where a figure of a woman was attached to the wall, her hands and shoes were somehow capable of walking on vertical surfaces, defying gravity.
“Explain thyself lowlife.” She caughts the attention of the person but stayed silent.
“Then so be it.” With a faster than light reaction, she lunges at the mysterious figure who immediately dodges her. Also capable of defying gravity, Alana stood straight up on the wall. Lightly brushing off the dodge.
The two go back and forth, Alana was trying to do her best in catching the strange vampiric thing but it kept dodging her. Though she was getting close, the person was not breaking a sweat in keeping up with the Purebreds speed.
Suddenly, the closed windows on the room were opened and the two doors that lead it were kicked down by soldiers with flashlights. The opened windows revealed Alana’s blood red dress but also the mysterious figure’s deathly white skin tone. As the intruder was about to exit, she’s met with combat boots from another team of skeleton soldiers fast roping into the room through the window.
Just as her face was about to meet the heel of the boots, she suddenly morphs into a plume of black smoke. Disappearing, Alana who was just right behind her teleports instead.
Reappearing on the front door, she’s met with soldiers and humvees pointed at her.
“HANDS UP!” “DO NOT MOVE OR YOU WILL BE SHOT!” screams the men with megaphones. Not disturbed by this, she merely looks around and sees Paul who was busy talking to someone on a military telephone.
“Yes, move the BCT onto the transport trucks, I’ve checked the main battle tanks.” he holds the microphone, looking at the entrance of the cargo area. He screams as loud as he can to the men around him.
“GUNS DOWN! SHE’S WITH ME!”
The players with him order their mindless skeleton soldiers to lower their weapon and the Vampire leisurely approaches him, who was already back on the phone.
“Yes, I will Colonel. I won’t be joining the party tonight, I also want to get to the frontlines as quickly as possible. -----. Copy that, just get those HEMTT trucks over here with the lowboys, we need to start rolling.”
“M’Lord, would you be a dear and face me?”
“Not now Alana, big things are happening.”
The Countess just sigh’s from his reaction.
“Alright, see you there in O-Nine hundred hours.”
He puts the handset back to the telephone inside the Humvee and closes the door.
“Now, yes ma’am. May I take your order?”
“Hah, how snarky. I’d just like to warn you about that intruder.”
“Yea, I’m shocked you weren’t able to catch it.”
“Only an extreme few could catch up to me, let alone dodge me. Whoever this person is, she’s extremely potent and dangerous.”
“I’m not even shocked, knowing how big our operation is. It's to be expected we’d have curious souls.”
“Not gonna try to chase her down?”
“No, we’re moving to the frontlines ASAP.”
“Very well then.”
The two board the Humvee and inside Paul’s jacket, Bahamut awakens, sensing a disturbance in the air.