Revian took flight and soared into the nights sky, with only a few thoughts on his mind. He thought deeply about what the next move would be. His mind eventually was set on one plan in particular, but he really did not have much else to go with except a very crude and simple one. His plan was to kill Krium, but that was as far as he could think at the moment.

  As he flew he took in the scenery of the land, dark forests towered over pitchblack grasslands and mountains on the distant horizon. The pale moon lit the landscap with the slightest of light. He could see fog in the distance and he knew he would be back to his kingdom soon, with a surprise for all. He would keep the fact of him being Dracula's heir a secret for as long as he possibly could, but his new powers on the other hand would come in very handy in this war and he planned on using them.

  Revian saw his kingdom come into view, and he saw the ruins of a battle, a battle easily won. He knew that Ricard would easily have fended off the Human army, and he also knew Orik was not too fond of him. He hoped that after this Orik would respect him better. There was no room to hold grudges internally, it would not help the war in any way. Revian landed in the field in front of his stronghold and inspected the battlefield. He could see the burnt corpses of the Humans and he knew what killed them, better yet who. There were no signs of any Vampires to fall however.

  He made his way inside the walls of his castle and he quickly found Ricard sitting on a stool around a fire with several other soldiers, Orik included. They were laughing and telling stories of long ago. Revian said as he approached, "It seems you two have buried your grivances then?" Orik said, "I had my doubts but after that display, my doubts are no more." Ricard laughed and said, "The look on his face when I had him pull the army behind the gate and took them all on was priceless. Anyway, how was the trip Revian." Revian laughed and said, "The trip was a success, and I thank you Ricard for finding me and telling me of the Old Temple."

  Orik said, "We better clean up the battlefield, before the bodies rot and stink up the place." Revian asked, "How many pikes do we have Orik?" Orik said, "I'm not sure, a couple hundred. Why?" Revian said, "I have an idea." Revian took Orik, Ricard, and several other soldiers out to collect the bodies. Revian skewered them and posted them around the field and along the pathway towards his castle. After they finished adorning the road Orik asked, "Was that really necessary?" Ricard said, "It is a fear tactic, they dare not touch them in fear of what killed them. It is a glorius display of power, and one used many millenia ago."

  Orik asked, "Who did this before, it is gruesome and dessecration?" Revian said, "Dracula..." Revian and the group began to walk back to their home as Revian continued, "... Before he was a Vampire Dracula was one of the most impressive military leaders to ever live. His armies conquered the world for many decades. He would take the prisoners he had and impale them all the way through like we have, but they were not dead until after the fact. He posted hundreds of bodies around his castles and strongholds. This angered many and before he fell he made a pact with the Devil, becoming the first of our race. The rest you all know." 

  Orik said, "Dracula was barbaric, I see now why the world wanted him dead, Humans are creatures of war, it seems to be the only thing they know how to do." Ricard said, "They are beasts of nature, they know nothing else when their territory and lives are threatened. Us on the other hand, we are not natural. We do not crave war, well, most of us anyhow. We are the superior race in this land, we will reign supreme once again."

  Revian said, "I have a plan in mind, but it will not be easy." Orik said, "Nothin is easy in war." Revian took a more serious look on his face and said, "It will not be easy for you Orik." Orik asked, "Why will it not be easy for me my Lord?" Revian answered, "We will speak of this in the council room, meet me there in an hour, both of you, and only you." Revian walked away, both Ricard and Orik looked at each other with an inquisitive look, neither knew what Revian was thinking, but they both guessed it was extremely important. They made their way to the council room and met with Revian.

  As both Ricard and Orik walked in Revian said, "My plan is to kill Krium." Orik asked, "Why is this not going to be easy for me my Lord?" Revian said, "You will not be helping me Orik, Ricard will." Ricard was surprised by this and asked, "What do you mean Revian?" Revian said, "I will travel to their capitol, along with Ricard. We will kill Krium before tomorrow's sun will rise." Orik said, "You cannot be serious my Lord? Surely they will have their entire strength there to stop you. I do not think even Ricard could take them all without getting killed, this plan is suicide."

  Revian laughed and said, "Trust me Orik, you will want to stay far away once Krium is killed, he has enthralled many humans." Orik asked, "Why must we worry about some enthralled humans?" Revian said, "Krium used an ancient way to do it, a violent way to do it. Once Krium dies his soul will be just the same. All of his enthralled slaves will explode in a gloriusly blood bath, and they will take with them any near to them. I trust he knows that I am aware of this which is exactly the plan. I want to kill him, and wherever his thralls are, I want them to damage nothing of the Humans."

  Ricard asked, "Will that not just anger the King?" Revian said, "It matters little of what the King thinks. It is rather what the people think, or fear. I want to instill a fear so terrible on them that they cannot possibly imagine. Krium is the focul point of their war effort, we kill him, we win the war. Within the next few hours me and Ricard will make our way to their capitol and we will launch a full scale attack between the two of us, and their entire army. I gurantee you it will be one grand spectacle. I am not up for any arguments on this plan, I know what I am doing."

  Ricard said, "I will follow you gladly, the last battle was nothing compared to what I can really do. I have been waiting a long time to fully stretch my abilities. I have not felt my true potential in such a while I feel as though it is no longer in me." Revian said, "Do not be hasty to strike Krium, he is still very powerful, and he will be very hard to kill. We must push through their army and strike him down once and for all." Orik said nothing and walked out of the council room, Revian knew he would not like this plan, but it was what had to be done.

  Revian and Ricard arrived just outside the Human capitol just as night fell. The sun slowly crept along the horizon until it dissapeared and naught but the moon lit the landscape. Revian said, "We will strike soon, you must be ready for this however." Ricard said, "This plan may be crazy but I am ready for anything Revian." Revian smirked and said, "You will not be ready for this..." Revian transformed and grabbed Ricard. He took off into the sky hauling Ricard with him. Ricard was indeed not prepared for this.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Ricard looked down and saw the ground becoming very far away from him and he became a little nauseous. Revian laughed as he soared up into the sky and he asked, "Are you ready Ricard?" Ricard said, "I may have not been prepared for this Revian..." Revian began to laugh meniacally as he suddenly turned and raced towards the ground at a very high speed. Ricard felt as though his stomach was suddenly thrown into his feet. Just before they slammed into the ground Revian slammed himself into the ground, setting Ricard down lightly enough so he would not be crushed. The Two Vampires stood in the wide open of a courtyard, surrounded completely by Human soldiers.

  Revian and Ricard went back to back and the battle began. The Humans charged in weapons drawn, Ricard and Revian gathrered their strength and let loose torrents of lighting through the ranks of soldiers. Revian shot forward and drove a path through hundreds of soldiers, leaving Ricard who was surprised by the power of Revian. Ricard shot bolts through the Human ranks taking many of their lives. It didn't take long before the bells started to ring that signaled an attack. More and more Human soldiers poured into the courtyard as Ricard and Revian decimated them.

  Just as Revian was beginning to get comfortable he saw a force of Hellatics arrive. He laughed alloud and his deep voice thundered throughout the city. Ricard started to get overrun by soldiers when suddenly they were vaporized instantly with an intense flash of blinding blue light. Revian had shot a bolt that ricocheted off of the soldiers one by one. Ricard spun around to look at Revian when he saw the Hellatics swarming into the clearing. He began to think they would overpower the two of them but as he thought that Revian shot into the air and began to spin like a tornado.

  Lighting crakled around Revian as he spiraled up. A single bolt fell from the sky and hit Revian as he unleashed a tornado of lightning. Ricard was left in awe with what he saw and he thought to himself, 'He is the true heir.' Revian continued to spin and spin, sending bolts of lighting out in every direction. Once he reached a height he thought as enough he stopped rising and began to descend with immense speed. Revian let loose a deafening warcry as he slammed into the ground. A shockwave was sent throughout the entire courtyard instantly turning all into dust except Ricard.

  Revian stood and looked up, he left a massive crater where he hit. As he walked out of the hole in the ground he looked around at the nearby buildings and saw they had been leveled, and the ones that were not were burning fiercely. He smiled and saw Ricard standing alone, and he could tell that Ricard knew his secret but there would be time for that later. Revian turned around and saw the King approaching. Revian yelled, "You have unleashed a power you cannot comprehend King of men. Are you ready to die?"

  The King drew his sword and said back to Revian, "Are you?" Revian heard a cry ring out across the courtyard and he spun around quickly. He saw Krium with a sword through Ricards chest, and it was burning. Revian started to run towards Krium, Krium pulled his sword from Ricard out through his left side nearly cutting him in half and began to run towards Revian. The two started to yell as they ran, Revian charged up all the power he could muster, this is where Krium would die.

  When the two met a massive blast was sent out, completely razing the courtard. This sent a cloud of ash and dust up that covered the courtyard, blocking all who watched from seeing anything. The King tried to see if anything was moving, to see if anyone would come out, but neither did. He began to advance forward to see for himself what had happened but he was stopped by flashes of blue and red light. He could not tell what was going on in the cloud of dust but he knew better than to enter after what had just happened.

  Revian could not believe what he was seeing. Krium had mastered an ancient ability of another kind. He had learned to master flame. This was when Revian thought back on what Dracula had told him, during their talks Dracula mentioned only him as an heir, not a second. This meaned only one thing, Krium was not his brother. If Krium was not his brother, then what was he?

  Krium laughed aloud and said, "It seems you are not the only one who learned something new brother. I have learned something of my own, a far more ancient power than what you know. It is in fact the opposite entirely. You will not win this fight." Revian said, "You may think that brother but there is something I know that you do not..." Revian did not want to reveal his the truth about his connection to Dracula but he feared there would be no other chance. Revian continued, "...I am the true heir to Dracula." Krium hesitated, and this was when Revian struck.

  Revian sent massive bolt of lighting hitting Krium which sent him flying far off into the distant streets. Krium landed somewhere deeper in the city and was knocked unconsious by the blow. Revian knew this would not kill him, that would have to wait. There was a King in need of a meeting with death. Revian turned away from the direction where Krium was thrown and began to walk towards the King. The King noticed the flashing stopped, and wondered what had caused this. He did not know Krium had been blasted out of the battle, and did not know Revian was approaching him.

  The King saw a shadow coming out of the cloud of ash and he was on edge, not sure of who it was. When the King saw it was Revian he called for a full retreat. His soldiers that remained fled in terror deeper into the city, but the King remained. Revian began to gather his energy as he started to run towards the King but the King still stood his ground, his sword drawn. Once Revian had came close enough he leapt forward towards the King. The King raised his sword to strike but a flash blinded him. Revian slammed the King with his full power, driving the King into the ground with immense force.

  Revian stood and walked to the King who lay on the ground. The Kings body was slowly becoming ash but he was not dead, he would be soon however. Revian leaned close and said, "Your reign ends here Valianore." The King said, "You are spawn of the Devil and you will die as such." Revian laughed and said, "I am the heir to Dracula, you cannot kill me." The King's body turned to ash before Revian's eyes. Revian would have been happy if he did not know Krium would return, so Revian vowed to himself that he would train. He would hone his abilities even further, gain more power.

  Revian took flight into the sky, the sun just began to peer over the horizon. As he flew away he looked back at the capitol and saw it was almost fully in ruin, and buildings burned. He and Ricard killed many of the Humans, but his plan had failed. He lost a good friend, and he found a terrible knew foe in Krium. The coming months would be difficult for him and his people, but something else was nagging at him, something he needed answers to. Who was Krium?

  Krium awoke at the height of day. He struggled to stand but he soon managed it. He looked around and saw nothing but destruction and death. He walked slowly back to the where a beatuiful courtyard once had been and saw nothing but ash. He saw what appeared to be a body far in the distance and he went towards it. He soon noticed it was the King. He crouched down and picked up the King's crown, which was burnt and scarred. He stood with the crown in hand, not sure what to do next.

  Revian had beaten him, destroyed the capitol, and killed his King. Krium took the crown with both hands and placed it on his head. He said to himself, 'I am now the King, and I will have my revenge Revian. Next time we meet, you will not escape. You may be the heir of Dracula, but I am so much more."