My mother called me Silvar; maybe she knew I would have Silver hair from my natural white as I grew. Nevertheless, I am the Vampire lord of Algia from the city of Vaporic. I can't say anything was strange about that day.

It was just another ordinary day in the Coalition of Demons, where my duty as Lord of the Province of Algia took priority over everything. I kind of miss seeing my old friends or just even spending time with them. I missed going outside even if it was to hang out but to be fair, and it's been so long now; I bet they hardly even consider me a friend anymore; I mean, why would they?

Looking back on what caused these problems, It all started years ago after my graduation. My mother died during a failed experiment I performed, and for a few years, I just stayed inside doing work, closing myself off to the outside world. Since I was no longer a kid, I was no longer truly free to do as I wished, and a part of me felt ashamed for what I did. In addition, the duties I inherited as a lord restricted me from going outside most days, or that was at least what I told myself. However, since graduation and the accident I am solely responsible for, I have been on my own. Fitting.

It's been years now. I have been running this province and learning everything it takes, the daily tasks...What it took to keep our economy afloat, and the needless politics... Plus, the number one responsibility is to keep the subordinates in line as Lord to the Province of Demons I rule over. Regardless of how I feel about my past and these last 3 years. As the crowned Vampire lord of Algia, I have a job that I have prioritized as such. I started by making new reforms to help our city flourish, expanding our trade, increasing our economy. I had also been working to break down the divide between the lesser and higher Demons, which has been around forever, causing problems in our society and creating divides. The second job I took upon myself was to keep my family's legacy and traditions going, I refuse to let their memory die, and all their hard work goes wasted just because they are no longer around because of me.

Algia, first and foremost, was founded by my ancient ancestors after the 'Great War' between the Light Alliance and the Demon clans. During the war, our side formed a mutual coalition, which our alliance is now named after. 'The Demon Coalition.'

Our province is the border that rivals the human's province, Haven. Therefore, both sides created a border wall. This was established bearing on the Forest Of Lost splitting it in two, creating a mutual border within the human's territory Haven and our side. Both sides created the wall to protect the peace and keep our sides separate and secure. So it has for the last 300 years. From what I was told as a child from my mother, a haven was a province of human wizards and few soldiers; she also told me Haven had been known to have other various magical users living there. But, three other provinces makeup and form the Coalition Demon Nation, and we are the northern province called Algia. Next is the province of Stalog to the south, then the province of Locrit to the west, and lastly is the province of Seer, which lies in the east.

Each province is directly responsible for the growth of each faction of Demon forces in our coalition. For example, Algia is home to the Vampires who rule over the lesser Succubus; normally a province of might, we form the second line. The Province Stalog housed Minotaurs Werewolves & lesser Centaurs on vast plains; they formed the first line.

'Stalog was a province of strength.' Next was Locrit in the east is where dark spirits, commonly referred to as devils, inhabit and rule over. Using magic proudly, 'The Devils were masters of the dark arts.'

Finally, what hails in the west was Hyperia. The land had vast mountain ranges that Dragons, Gargoyles and the lesser Harpy are home to, which formed air support, calling the skies and mountains peeks their home.

Allow me to explain a few more things in the Coalition of Demon Nations and how we operate.

In the Demon race, we have tiers of strength each creature is ranked on, core abilities, elite skills, magical power, which equals their champion ranking.

Core creatures with high elite skills and magic capability usually have higher champion scores than the lesser ones. Their skills then determine which job they are best suited for in our society, military or civil service. Those who are usually deemed as lesser like the Succubus would usually find themselves working in several sectors in civil service. The school's historians have told me that the Light Alliance has a very similar ranking system.

From what I can remember, what schools taught us went something like this.Civilian and then Soldier? But to be honest, I did not pay attention in class too much. I never had to my job was set in stone from day one.

As of late, the spies I have sent all over the Alliance of Light have been hearing whispers within some of the Lords of the Light councils; one of the spies I had sent informed me of the Light trying to grow an army or something big.

The spy had given not too many details before he was exposed and had to run for the hills, so we are left with a vague idea that something big is going on or will happen. If he was only able to get more details...

In the past, I have reported my various findings to the other Demon Lords about what our actions should be if we encounter anyone being from the northern provinces. But they still kept saying, "Do not disturb the peace, or to go looking for problems where there are none."

See, normally, I would agree with the other Lords of the Demon provinces; it’s not like I personally enjoy arguing with people or anything. Especially those jerks. But, the issue with this kind of mainstream thinking has its own problems entirely... It allows them to plot... It makes no sense as we still have yet to reach a lasting peace, which I’m not going to get into ill save that rant for another day. Because lord know's I can rant.

Not a lot had been told to me why our provinces engaged in such a war in the first place or even the reason behind it. I imagined the history books in the Great Library would have had the information, but they lack the detail or the crucial information behind it. I found nothing made sense to me, and since there is no one alive from 300 years ago, all I can do is read and interpret what I find in my own words.

I can’t remember how many books I read, looking for answers, coming up short each time. It made me angry, so very angry.

I really can't say why I am unhappy with this outcome. I mean, the idea of a full-blown war is not a pleasant thought; however, maybe it’s because I long for something more to do than sit on an empty throne by myself. Waving my hands around, commanding him or her... Of course, I haven't been the one to order people around, but it is still my job as poor of a job I did. Since I have inherited this responsibility, I plan to carry it out to the best of my ability; it is my responsibility alone to bare. I can’t run away or turn a blind eye now that I have invested all this time and lost everyone I held dear. I will find these answers out someday.

Caught in the moment remembering the past, I continued to think to myself, "Hmm."

Suddenly the door swung open to the main chamber as the door slammed, hitting the stopper. The loud noise now snapping me out of my daydream while catching me off guard. As the door hit the metal plug, it echoed. Next, I heard the unknown man approaching say towards me as the door slammed behind him, “Young lord.”

The voice I heard I recognized. I heard his words echoing through the long dark hallway towards me, bouncing off the walls. As his voice reached me, it reverberated off the stone walls. I should have known. It was my main man Edgur. Edgur is my second-hand man, and currently, he is in charge of our military’s special task force called the 'Red-Dawn Special Forces.' It was originally my special branch of the military I used for special missions. The other officers usually tended to call him by his rank—the Red-Dawn Special Forces First Commander. But to me, he will always be Edgur. He was a typical vampire, and he was born of royalty, as was I. But his skin was pale, white as the snow with short black hair he kept pointed to the right. His eyes were black, as was his hair. The only feature he had was a scar across his left eye from a training day back in school someone inflicted on him when he was bested. Edgur was a traditionalist, and he only dawned the black traditional vampiric armour. Standing about 5’11, Edgur had many combat abilities that used fighting power magic. While his magic was rather weak, his physical attacks and fighting skills were unmatched by most of the Vampires in Algia. My province mainly focused on melee combat with some magic as of late. Edgur and I have been together forever, and he was my oldest friend, not to mention my closest ever since we were kids growing up. He’s managed to stick by me through it all. Now zoning back, I responded to the man standing in his uniform in front of me, ”Oh hello, Edgur,” what's up?”

I saw that response did not settle well with him as I then went on to say, “What's with this young lord? You're the same age as me, after all. Quit saying that. You're making me feel young."I noticed next Edgur getting angry as he addresses me again rather harshly, this time saying in a rude tone,” Must you be so in informal..."

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Before turning around and wiping the disturbing look off his face, while mockingly repeating while he did that to me, “’ Hey, what's up?’ Really Silvar, you should talk with some form of education. You are, after all, the lord. Now, why do you not act more like it? It’s been three years now, and it's rather embarrassing for us all when you act this way.” I knew Edgur was trying to be nice, but he came off a little bit like an asshole at times. I then jokingly repeated, “The Lord has spoken!" I could see his face go paler than normal I then said to him with a smile forming,

"Edgur, how many times must I tell you? Call me Silvar if it helps think it is some order. But seriously, what is it? Do you have something important to say?”

I heard Edgur say, “Yes, Looor...” Before Edgur, now cutting himself off before continuing to speak to me, said, “I mean Silvar.' Our scouts have spotted a disturbance at the border wall that divides our province with the humans.”

I thought for a few minutes in silence and then replied, “Hmm, how did they enter the wall? Edgur, can you explain to me further what kind of disturbance was at the wall today?” Then, tired and stiff, I slowly began getting up from my thrones chair and continued to say once I was standing. “Now, please, if you don't mind...” I lifted my head now and gave him the Vampiric glare as my green eyes glowed gold. Staring at Edgur, I then started approaching him. Standing beside him now, he replied. “Yes, I can sorry for the delay.”

Together Edgur and I began to walk away from the main chamber down the dark halls. Before I turned to my friend, I said something I haven’t to him in a while, “Let us talk in the garden, and there you can explain in as much detail as you can what you remember from the report about what our scouts found at the wall today.” Lately, I’ve been asking Edgur to look into a rumour our spies reported back. They have been saying something about the light alliance's military activity was increasing along the wall and how it’s been rather suspicious as it's all four of their races.

Not much time passed now from when Edgur and I started walking, and now Edgur and myself could be seen leaving the main hall together as the staff greeted us," Good afternoon lord, and Edgur, what a surprise." We walked next down one of the many halls leading towards the courtyard, picking my favourite hall. The hallway path we walked down that led to the courtyard doors had a beautiful mosaic pattern of coloured stones forming various things along the way. One image showed the moon swallowing the sun, and another was a pair of bats flying under the newly formed moon. I loved the pictures in this hall as we now arrived at the giant doors. The two of us stood there before looking left and right.

On each side of the giant entrances, doors leading to the garden, lined perfectly in a row were a few stone gargoyles on each side.

Walking past them now arriving at the door, we did not have to do anything before it started swinging open like magic. Then suddenly, the moonlight met our eyes.

It was a blinding light but warm and comforting. It took my eyes a few minutes to adjust as all that could be seen was white light. Then clear as day there it was, when my sight returned, the courtyard’s garden gorgeous as always. It was a beautiful garden filled with white roses and other exotic flowers from the region, with stone statues of various mythic animals. Some were of famous mythical and non-mythical beasts. There were also important people in various poses and one single giant fountain that had 2 Hydras wrapping around a single white marble pillar. In the center of this fountain, the Hydras were spitting water out into the various pools surrounding it.

I could not help but think to myself, "Lady Algia’s Garden," I then turned and faced Edgur, and then we continued as I went on to say as we walked past the different kinds of flowers and statues, “It's been a while since we have had a walk together through the garden, hasn’t it, cousin?”

Edgur answered me in a soft tone which I had not been a custom to hearing from him in some time, “Last time I remember was when we were young kids, Silv, and I first met you. “

Caught off guard, I responded, hardly able to manage the words, ” Hey Edgur, you used my nickname."

At that moment, I had a smile light upon my face, and the grin I made could be seen slowly appearing on my face before I said to Edgur.”I had almost given up on trying to remind you. But, I am glad you remember that truly makes me happy.”

Continuing our walk towards the pavilion In the center of the garden; I continued talking back and forth with Edgur; nothing important was said, as I started making small talk along the way with him saying once I spotted a statue of a horse,

“Do you remember this one memory” ‘Now snapping my fingers together.' ”We must have been only seven years old. Do you remember when we were kids, Edgur? Running through the fountain together over there?”

‘Pointing to another spot before saying.' ”I remember you slipping over there and taking off the statue's head, that poor horse. So what did it ever do to you, hey bud.”

I began to laugh hysterically, which I have not done in so long that it felt nice to let it out. I saw Edgur even smiled and then commented and said, ”Then your mother came running to see if the horse was able to be fixed before she made sure if I was okay.”

“Yeah, my mother was funny..” I responded while rubbing the back of my neck; Edgur now started saying, “Yup," While I looked up at the sky, next I said, "She was. I do miss them.”

I then added to our conversation, “Though you did clean chop off its head, which was pretty impressive, I remember later looking back at the statue afterwards in amazement. You were always stronger than I was if I am honest.”

Turning my head, looking a little depressed, I then paused while looking at Edgur before continuing, ” I was always a little jealous of your strength, but we are getting a little off-topic.”

But before I could continue, Edgur cut me off, saying, “Silvar. You may not be as physically powerful as most of us Vampires, but your magic is on its own level. Crazy is scary. No vampire in history has your level of magical power, which makes you a lot stronger. I could never compete with you in our magic class or when it came to knowledge or spells, even in my own fire affinity. But, if we are honest, I will try my best, and it wouldn't amount to anything next to you in magic class.”

That was nice of him to say, as I could not help but begin laughing before pausing to say, ” Yeah, but do you remember gym? I may be a bit more perspective than you when it comes to magic. But never underestimate your strengths and your worth Edgur, your strong as hell; I would trade magical power for strength and stamina anyway.” But, before Edgur could get a chance to respond, I added, not laughing anymore.' “Anyway, I am a one-trick pony; once my magics up, I am useless...”

But when I was starting to feel sorry for myself, I could hear Edgur’s voice in a dumb tone say, ”Don't look such gloom Silvar,”

Edgur always had his way of cheering me up even when we were kids, and he now said, trying to comfort me. ‘Adding after snapping his fingers together.’

“Your kind of dark magic is unique. Not many people are born with the Dark-Affinity, not to mention your skills and magical abilities that have been passed down to you. Your very solid overall don't worry, I got your back.” Before giving me a reassuring look and nod, which was comforting. I briefly managed to smile, and I replied, ”Thank you, Edgur I needed a pick me up today; I have had that same dream; I have been hardly able to sleep. It is the one I am drowning in a large lake. I always wake up right as I drown. It’s awful.”

After I said that, Edgur did not say anything. As we continued walking together in silence till we arrived at the courtyard's pavilion square. Now taking a seat at the chairs located in the centre at the table, we started to talk about what he came to see me about.

“Now, can you explain to me in detail what this disturbance is, Edgur? What did our spies tell you? Spare no detail.” I said to him, now seated.

I saw Edgur sit down, and then he pulled out a file from his coat, and he read it off to me, “Well, Silvar, our scouts have reported a small group of Humans making their way onto our side. Also, that group was bearing a lightning crest or something close to their armour, and they were armed.

The group was last located at the Forest of Lost, dividing our province's land with the Alliances Province Haven. Scouts added they must have come through the wall,"

I saw Edgur went quiet went he flipped the page. Then, pondering on the information for a bit, I looked directly into Edgur’s eyes before asking him.

“Do we know their exact numbers? When you said a group, whats does their ranks consist of? Do they have a message envoy, or are they carrying an official letter? Can you elaborate a little?”

I noticed Edgur began to scan the report, and then once he found the answers to my questions, he responded. “Not from what our scouts have reported to me, and to have an exact number. Well, the scouts spotted approximately 15 units. They could tell their ranks consisted of 7 soldiers with 8 magic casters holding various weapons like staffs, swords and wands within their ranks.”

I sat there thinking again for a moment. Now with my right hand was over on my chin, in a weird position, almost looking like I was slowly starting to grin before I started saying to Edgur. “Was it one single group of Humans?”

Edgur answered my question without haste, saying. “Yes, Lord, but our scouts lost track of them when they reported this information back to me, so we have no way of clarifying anything.”

I leaned back on my chair and relaxed, absorbing all the information before telling Edgur,

“Let us investigate this matter, Edgur; we will go ourselves, so we have our own eyewitness testimony to use rather than rely on some scouts. So please gather up the Red-Dawn but before we do anything else.”

Now I paused and looked at Edgur. But the night sky distracted me as I began to then look up at the stars before announcing, “Let us enjoy the view a bit. The moons are very nice tonight.”