Operation 'Holy Sin'. Age 1983. An unholy alliance staged a coup in order to exterminate a certain species. This Human realm is home to a wide variety of creatures that battle for survival on a daily basis, including Demons, Vampires, Angels, Wizards, Witches, Warlocks, Fairies, Ghouls, Goblins, Slugs, and many more. They are referred to known by Humans as Supernaturals, Dystopians, Outsiders, etc. And there was one particular species thought to be the greatest creature to have ever existed among all the other creatures mentioned. They were... 'Asherus', the greatest gift from God. But they had to be annihilated by a mass genocide caused by the unholy alliance. Due to the fact that one species, known as Asherus, had emerged as the greatest threat to change the worlds upside down and they say that it was deemed necessary to exterminate them in order to prevent the extinction of everything that had ever existed... Then there's one certain survivor who vows to exact revenge on his gifted species.
Age 1994.
Castlevania
Empyrium.
A world where the skies were shrouded in darkness, flashes of crimson lightning illuminated the gloom, while flocks of bats soared through the air. As if in a twisted symphony, blood rained down, casting a sinister hue upon the landscape. And amidst this surreal scene, a majestic, luminous full moon cast an eerie glow above. There stood a massive black castle atop a mighty hill overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. There was a casket in a chilly, gloomy area deep within the castle. Suddenly, the coffin's lid lifted, revealing a person within. A teenager with huge teeth like Dracula's, white fingernails, the letter "F" glowed in white on his eyeballs, and a white aura emanating from him. The man went to the castle's grand entrance gate, opened it, and then turned to leave the castle after pausing briefly to look at Dracula's coat on the side.
5 years later.
Age 1999.
St. Bartholomew Blvd
Roseholics City
Locria country.
A group of friends were enjoying beverages and barbecues while partying in the woods around a bonfire in the evening. They were chatting and drinking.
"So this is where we part ways.", said one guy to another after passing him a cold one.
"It hurts a little to say goodbye to each other after all these years in high school.", the other guy replied, "However, our friendship is still going strong. We intend to stay in contact. Right, Taki?"
"Grate, you dog! Aiffel, Twinkle, Irene, and you. You're all heading to Astorion. You fortunate ones!" That evening, Aiffel was absent from this group.
"*laughed* Hey, that's why the party is on me!"
"Don't worry about it.", said Twinkle as she joined the conversation. "You guys can go to Imperial University. After all that is the rival of Astorion."
"Maybe try again next year in Astorion one more time? Whaddya say, Cindy?", Irene mocked Cindy.
"Haha! No, thanks. I don't wanna be left behind, not especially you, Irene. Do you agree with me, Karla?", Cindy laughed.
"That's right. We'll be rivals in a few months. You will see.", Karla agreed with Cindy.
"That's the University for Astorion rejects.", Twinkle joked.
"What did you just say!?", Karla rasped, but all of them laughed together.
"Hey, what about Aiffel? Where is he tonight?", Kaisy asked Grate.
"I don't know, man.", Grate replied. "He tells me he doesn't feel so good at night, so he avoids going out and stays at home instead."
"huh? What about it at the late hours?", Taki asked curiously. "Does he study a lot these days because he is going to Astorion now?"
"You know him. He is very serious about his studies. All the teachers in high school loved him all the time for his score. They were like when one day Aiffel arrived late to school, the teachers punished the whole class for arriving early.", Grate joked. The group laughed a lot at the joke.
This dude’s name is Grate. Yeah, that’s right! He is the protagonist of this story. Well, let’s not go into details and enjoy the tale, shall we?
"You drunk son of a gun and your jokes! Haha!", Kaisy laughed.
Suddenly some police officers appeared called the Hunting Party, with the initials 'HP' emblazoned on their jackets. The Hunting Party (HP for short) is the police force which is a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, intending to enforce the law, ensure the safety, health, and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder, especially of the supernaturals.
The officers looked at the group of friends before saying to one another,
"They don't look like supernaturals to me."
"More like high school students."
One officer named Lincoln strictly asked them, "What's going on in here!?"
The students panicked.
"Hey, hold up! What's this all about?", Kaisy answered confidently.
"We are the Hunting Party. Tell me what's going on in here late at this hour?", Officer Lincoln asked them.
"Late at this hour? It's only 9 O'clock. Ever seen any kid sleep before midnight here in Locria?", jokingly asked Grate.
"Shut up!", Lincoln yelled. "Stay awake at your house, I don't care. But don't you know that it's prohibited to stay out when it gets dark in here? Don't you know the consequences of breaking the rules?"
"Basically what he means is lockdown.", Taki mumbled.
"Stop worrying, officers! We're just a group of Astorion University students! Yes, we can kick the butts of any criminals that we find. Never fear for our safety!", Grate assured.
"Good for you, but what are you doing here late this hour?", Lincoln asked.
Taki answered, "Well, University starts tomorrow so we thought we could just enjoy the night before-"
"Don't you know?! The creatures of the night roam around here at this hour!", said Lincoln with an enraged tone.
The friends looked dumbfounded after his words, looked at one another, and mumbled, "Creatures of the Night? What is that?"
"The Vampires, of course!", an irate Lincoln yelled at them.
There was an awkward silence until the friends started laughing loudly and making jokes,
"Vampires?!"
"Like they even exist!"
"Some kind of a fairy tale is going on around here?"
"What's next? Dracula's gonna show up?"
"Oh, I am so scared!"
The officers were grinding their teeth as one of them yelled, "Men! Arrest all of them! Lock them up!"
Grate freaked out and said nicely, "Officers, calm down. We know what vampires are and we are aware of it. Our parties were over and we were just about to leave. Sorry for breaking the rules. I know about you as well, officers. The Hunting Party. I know how much you struggle and sacrifice every single day to protect the people of this country. I learned these things from Aiffel. Officers, we are friends of Aiffel Roseholic."
The officers calmed upon hearing that and Lincoln asked, "Huh? You mean you are friends with Aiffel? All of You?"
"Yes, Sir!", the friends answered.
"But unfortunately, he is not here with us at this party.", Grate added.
"I see.", said Lincoln as he turned to his colleagues and continued, "There's no point in arresting them. They cannot be a threat.", before turning back to the friends, "Keep in mind, this is your final warning! Even though we won't be arresting you, I still want you all to return home safely. Having a party outside at this hour is quite risky. Our first concern is the safety of the people."
All of a sudden they got a call an from officer, "A large group of Vampires swarming around Block B of the St. Bartholomew Blvd! I repeat! A large group of Vampires swarming Block B of St. Bartholomew Blvd!"
"That's not too far away from here, sir.", one officer said to Lincoln. "I wonder if Territory Officer Arthur showed up since he is in charge of that area." Then they moved out after telling the students to go home.
The students laughed at Grate shortly after the officers left.
"Good speech!", Kaisy laughed.
"Haha! Sometimes you gotta have an ace up your sleeve.", Grate crowed.
"Hey, guys. Let's go home. Orientation will be happening early in the morning.", said Twinkle.
"Got scared of vampires, huh?", Taki laughed.
"I'm serious!", Twinkle barked at him.
"Yeah, let's go home already. We're so going to be late tomorrow.", Irene sounded exhausted.
"Alright-alright! Geez...", said Taki. Then they all shook hands, wished good luck to one another, and bid farewell.
"Hey, tell Aiffel I said Hi.", Karla said to Twinkle
"Yeah, right.", Twinkle replied before they left for home.
Officer Lincoln and his group, meanwhile, joined Territory Officer Arthur in the fight. Numerous human bodies were spread out on the ground, and a group of vampires were gathering nearby, drawing blood from the victims. Lincoln asked Arthur in grief, "Sir, are you okay?"
"Lincoln... I'm glad you are here.", Arthur answered in great relief.
"The vampires, huh?", said Lincoln. "I wonder when there will be the end of them. Let's fight."
The vampires and the Hunting Party officers engaged in a fierce combat that lasted for hours. The battle was not won or lost by either of the two groups.
Almost five o'clock had arrived, and the battle was still on. Everyone was tired and exhausted.
"There's no end to it.", Lincoln panted.
"Give it a few more minutes.", Arthur grinned after panting for some time. "The sun is about to rise."
"The sun?", Lincoln wondered.
"Our victory will show brightly like the sun when it rises.", Arthur smirked before yelling at the Vampires, "This is the end for you, you Bloodsuckers! May you rot in Hell!"
After a while, the vampires started to get terrified as the Sun rose and they began to withdraw.
"All of you! Finish them all! This hour they will not retaliate! They will only attempt to withdraw at this point!", Arthur encouraged the officers.
The HP officers roared and charged at the vampires, killing each one of them one by one. Under the sun, some vampires turned to ashes. After a protracted battle, the HP saw this as a win, and they rejoiced with a huge pop.
"We did it! I need a day off after all this.", said Lincoln in exhaustion. Arthur laughed in joy.
All of a sudden a teenage Vampire spoke up, "Celebrating too soon?", and he was doing well in the sunlight. The HP officers were stunned and turned silent in shock.
In his University uniform, the Vampire had blood all over his shirt; his eyes were bleeding, his nails were white-colored, and his eyeballs resembled the letters "H" glowed in white; his face was covered in hair due to his emo style; and his mouth was dripping with blood.
"I don't understand. He is not affected by the Sun.", said Lincoln in astonishment.
The Vampire asked sarcastically, "Am I supposed to run away?"
"Wait a minute. Are you a new one around here? You were not in the reports.", Lincoln asked.
"I don't know who this guy is, but he smells like trouble with a capital T, and considering he is not affected by the sun at all, I am sure he is beyond Mega or Giga class vampire!", said one officer who was trembling in fear.
"I won't be surprised if he is beyond Tera class.", said Arthur. The officers were flabbergasted. Arthur continued, "A vampire of Mega class will also be burned to ashes in the sun, a Giga class vampire will not be burned but weakened. Seeing how he is completely standing tall in this strong sunlight, he is a Tera class or above!"
The Hunting Party assigns a criminal's class—from Mega through Giga, Tera, Peta, Exa, and so on—based on their strength, power, and criminal activities.
"Then he is way out of our league...", an officer gulped. "Maybe we should call for an HP Region officer, sir?"
"Quiet!", Arthur yelled at him.
"Since I am Death itself and there is no way for anyone to escape from me, my identity was not reported. I kill everyone I stare at!", the Vampire trumpeted.
"You don't intimidate me! I am gonna take you down!", said Arthur without any sign of intimidation.
"The smell of your blood makes me thirsty. I am gonna drink you all!", The Vampire laughed and his laugh was filled with madness.
"He is a complete psychopath!", said Lincoln with intimidation.
"We gotta take him down by force!", said Arthur. The HP officers then launched an all-out assault on him, using knives, cannons, and other weapons, but he was evading them all.
"Is that all you got?", the Vampire joked, "You need more than just these toys to bring me down."
Arthur turned red with anger and screamed, "I am going to finish you!! You hear me!!!", and after that, he grabbed the shotgun and fired as hard as he could at him. The vampire took a hit, yet he sustained no injuries. Arthur was unable to speak.
"What is he...?", Lincoln trembled.
As the officers stared at him in fear and curiosity, the vampire spoke with immense pride before lifting his arms in the air, "I suppose that's the best you got and you have nothing else to show me... Very well, so it's time I show you what I got. I'm gonna show you... For I am the Prince of Dracula!" Arthur looked stunned, realized what the vampire was talking about. The vampire continued, "For I am an Asheru among the Vampires... For I am... Alucard!" The vampire's statement stunned the HP officers to no end.
Then the vampire screamed, "Blood Shower!" In an instant, his body erupted into what looked like blood rain, penetrating all of the HP officers as it did so. Blood was heavily pouring down. The entire street echoed with an agonized cry.
A few hours later.
At around 8:45 AM.
Grate was rushing to the university. He was yawning because he didn't get enough sleep the previous night. Subsequently, he came into a group of Hunting Party officers and recognized them by their jackets bearing HP insignia. Additionally, he saw people gathered in the street, observing something. Additionally, there were obstacles that prevented people from crossing. He then proceeded to see what was happening in the crowd and, upon discovering Taki there as well, he said, "Hey, dude. What is happening?"
Grate followed Taki to see what he was pointing at, but Taki remained mute and exuded terror. Grate wasn't prepared to see what was before him. There were corpses of the HP officers they encountered last night, including Officer Lincoln and Territory Officer Arthur. Their neck also had biting marks on it. Grate chose to leave the gathering and keep going to the university as he began to feel ill and shiver in terror.
Meanwhile, a group of Astorion rejects had assembled and were preventing the newcomers from entering Astorion University. They formed a group and called themselves Knuckle Fist Gang. The leader of the group looked very pissed off. The rest of the rejects were whispering at each other,
"Ooh boy! Looks like Captain Bazooka has lost it."
"Must have fallen from the wrong side of the bed."
"What should we do?"
"Tell him something."
"Yeah, Go."
"Why me?"
"You go!"
"No, you go!"
Bazooka was irritated and yelled to them, "Hey! What are you guys blabbering about!?"
"Boss, is this a good idea to make a mess in front of Astorion University? After all, it’s Masquerade’s territory.", said one of the rejects in fear.
"Shut Up! I'm gonna kill anyone who crosses my path! I’m in a very bad mood right now!", Bazooka yelled.
Twinkle and Irene were arriving at the University at the same time. Bazooka encircled them with his gangs. Fearing them, Irene enquired, "Who are you guys?"
"Huh?!", Bazooka reacted before yelling, "You don’t know us?! We are the infamous group of Roseholics City! We are Knuckle Fist Gang! And I am Captain Bazooka!"
The streets were silent while the wind blew for a long, then Twinkle said, "Um... Sorry, but I never heard of you guys…"
After Bazooka's heart burst into a million pieces, he became even more enraged and exclaimed, "What did you say?!"
Next moment. They beat up 3 new male students and tied them up. It was more like a comedic situation. Bazooka barked at Irene and Twinkle, "Do you know me now!? This is what we Knuckle Fist Gang do!"
One student, who was tied up, asked, "What do you guys want? Don’t you have a University to go to?"
"University, huh? What a waste of time! But what do I want, you say? Why don’t you all give us 100 bucks each so you can help us calm down? How about it, huh?", Bazooka bragged.
"100 bucks?!", one student asked in fear.
"Yes! Come on! Bring ‘em out! Nice and easy.", Bazooka ordered.
Grate appeared out of nowhere like a hero, flaunted himself for a little while, and then roared at them, "Hey! You are messing with the wrong people, buddy! Mess with someone your own size, pal!"
Bazooka was like, "Huh?!", while Irene and Twinkle with facepalms.
Next thing you know, Grate was also beaten up and tied up as well. Bazooka barked, "Anyone else want to mess with us, huh!? Show up! One more adds as the prey of Knuckle Fist Gang that makes another 100 bucks!"
"You alright, man?", Twinkle asked Grate.
"Irene? Twinkle? I thought You wouldn’t come today.", Grate replied.
"This is the first day of University and how could I miss it?", said Irene.
"We should have never come, you know, and we wouldn’t have to fall into this mess either.", Grate sobbed.
Bazooka yelled, "Don’t ignore me!"
And then, out of nowhere, another person appeared in a bad mood and remarked in a serious tone, "Hey!"
Grate was surprised and very happy to see him as he teared up, "Aiffel… You are finally here!"
"Huh? Another 100 bucks. Don’t matter. Get in the line.", Bazooka yawned.
The members of Knuckle Fist Gang exclaimed with terrified expressions on their faces,
"It's… It’s him!"
"Boss! Of all the people, don’t mess with him!"
"Shut up! Doesn’t matter who he is, I’m in a bad mood today!", Bazooka yelled at them.
"You are not the only one in a bad mood today, buddy! Why don’t you leave my friends alone and get lost!", Aiffel yelled.
"Huh? Who are you, Punk?", Bazooka questioned.
One of the Knuckle Fist Gang whispered to him, "Boss! Be Careful with him! He is the infamous Iron Kid! Former member and the sole survivor of the Iron Club!"
"Yes, that's right! It's the Iron Kid! Aiffel Roseholic! The man when he goes walking with his dog, his dog says to people 'he doesn't bite.'", Grate joked excitedly.
"Oh? The Iron Kid, huh?", Bazooka laughed. "Hmph! He is just a kid and besides, there are so many of us and he is all alone. Even if his little small fry friends stand by his side and fight with us, they won’t be able to touch the mighty Knuckle Fist Gang! Bring it on! You are gonna get the Knuckle Fist!!!"
Bazooka was gonna punch Aiffel. Very slow-motion moment here. Aiffel dodged it and said, "The knuckle fist, huh?" before attacking him with an uppercut right at the jaw. Bazooka was knocked out cold.
The rest of the Knuckle Fists got scared and said, "It’s the Iron Fist!"
So you thought that guy named Grate was the Protagonist of this story? Hahaha! Who told you that? How foolish are you? What? Oh, me? Did I tell you that? Ohh… Sorry, guys. My bad. It was just a prank. Never mind, back to the story.
"So? You want some of the small fries, huh?", Aiffel asked Knuckle Fist Gang.
"Boys! Remember we are Knuckle Fists Gang! We are the most fearsome stable of Roseholics city! He is just a kid and we still have dozens of us to teach that bastard a lesson!", one brave member encouraged Knuckle Fist Gang.
"That’s the spirit! Bring it on!", Aiffel cheered them up.
"Yeah! Beat them up, Aiffel! Avenge me!", Grate yelled.
Aiffel beat each of them down using his Iron Fists and Iron Kicks. One member of Knuckle Fist Gang brought out their pet, a Black Bull that had big knuckles on its snout, and they called it 'The Reaper'.
One Knuckle Fist Gang member yelled, "This is the end for you, Iron Kid! The Reaper is here to take your soul! It will send you to the heavens where your master is! Reaper, go! Kill that Iron trash!" The bull then started charging at Aiffel, who, hearing those words, fell mute, went into a dark place in his mind, and remained motionless.
"Aiffel, get out of the way! It's too dangerous!" "Aiffel! It's best if you just let it go this time.", Twinkle and Irene worried.
Meanwhile, Grate looked confident and said, "Do this, buddy..."
The bull was closing on its way to Aiffel.
"Aiffel... It might be the best time for you to make a move.", Twinkle worried.
After a while, Aiffel finally raised his voice, "Guys... I think I know what we are gonna have for a barbeque tonight!", and as the bull got closer, he charged with his fist. Then, bam! Up to the knuckle on its snout, an Iron Fist. The bull was knocked out cold, shattering the knuckle into fragments. The entire Knuckle Fist Gang became frightened and withdrew in extreme horror.
Aiffel told them, "Get lost and never come back! And yeah, take that brainless idiot with you too!" He picked up Bazooka and threw him to them. Then he turned around to his friends, smiled, and said, "Hey, guys!"
©Copyright @ 2022 Orion 007 All Rights Reserved