Chapter 10

Van, Kevin, Bergard, and Feri had done everything they could to prepare, but nothing could have fully steeled Van for what lay ahead. As the last light of the sun faded, Van found himself standing before Aramis High School. The building loomed ominously in the twilight, casting long shadows across the grounds. With a deep breath, Van tightened his grip on his ARCUS and weapon, ensuring that Mare and the Grendel were at the ready. There was no turning back now.

The campus was eerily silent, the oppressive aura hanging in the air like a thick fog. Each step Van took seemed to echo endlessly, as though the school itself was mocking his presence. The once familiar hallways now felt like a labyrinth of darkness, every shadow a potential threat. He tried to focus, but the sense of being watched gnawed at his nerves, the sensation growing stronger with every step.

A soft scraping sound suddenly broke the silence, coming from somewhere behind him. Van spun around, weapon raised, but saw nothing. The noise had come from a room with its door slightly ajar. Swallowing his fear, Van pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was dim, the windows boarded up and the air stale. It was as though time had stopped in this place, leaving only the faint creak of floorboards as a reminder of the world outside. Van's instincts screamed that he wasn't alone. His heart pounded as he scanned the shadows, and then he saw him.

A boy, no older than Van, stood in the corner. He wore the Aramis school uniform, his black hair hanging limply over empty blue eyes. His face twisted into a smile that sent chills down Van's spine.

Van tensed, his heart racing. The boy's lifeless expression was more unnerving than anything he had ever faced. He raised his weapon, trying to steady his voice. "Who are you?"

The boy's eerie chuckle echoed through the room, making Van's blood run cold. "He he he he he..."

The sound was hollow, devoid of any real emotion, and Van's unease deepened. "What do you want?"

In response, the boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife.

Van's eyes widened, his grip on his weapon tightening. "Don't come any closer," he warned, his voice low and edged with fear.

But the boy didn't advance. Instead, he whispered, his voice trembling, "Please... help me..." And then, in one swift motion, he raised the knife—not towards Van, but to his own throat.

Time seemed to slow as Van watched in horror. "No!" he shouted, lunging forward. But it was too late. The boy dragged the blade across his throat, a gruesome smile still fixed on his face as blood gushed out, splattering onto the floor. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Van stood frozen, the room spinning around him. He had seen death before, but this... this was different. The boy's blood seeped across the floor, staining Van's boots, and with it came a crushing wave of despair. He dropped to his knees beside the boy's body, his mind a storm of guilt and sorrow. Could he have saved him? Had he done something wrong?

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of more footsteps. He looked up, and from the shadows, more students emerged. Their faces were blank, their eyes as empty as the boy's had been, but they all wore the same chilling smile.

Van staggered to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. "Stay back," he warned, though his voice lacked its usual strength. The students didn't listen. Instead, they reached into their pockets, pulling out an array of sharp objects—pencils, scissors, knives—all pointed at themselves.

"No, don't!" Van shouted, desperation clawing at his throat. "Please, stop!"

One of the girls stepped forward, tears streaming down her face as she lifted a pair of scissors to her throat. "Please... Aidios... help us..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Put it down!" Van pleaded, reaching out a trembling hand. "You don't have to do this!"

But before he could do anything, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway, freezing him in place. He turned towards the noise, dread pooling in his stomach. The footsteps grew louder, closer, until finally, a figure stepped out of the shadows.

Van's breath caught in his throat as Renne appeared. But this wasn't the Renne he knew. Her golden eyes were vacant, her body bruised and battered. Her clothes hung in tatters, barely covering her. A sickening realization hit Van as he noticed the slippery trail down her legs, her torn skirt barely concealing her violated form.

"R-Renne?" Van stammered, his voice breaking. He could barely recognize the girl in front of him. "W-what did they... do... to you?"

Renne wavered on her feet, her smile weak and empty. "It was... this vampire... He hypnotized the students... made them do... unspeakable things..."

Van's heart shattered as he heard her words. The horror of what had happened in this school, to Renne, to all these students—it was almost too much to comprehend. He wanted to comfort her, to reach out and take away her pain, but he was paralyzed by the overwhelming grief and guilt.

"I... I don't understand... Why would he do this?" Van whispered, his voice trembling with sorrow and disbelief.

Renne's smile faded, her eyes glistening with tears. "Because... he could..." she replied, her voice barely a whisper, before she collapsed into Van's arms.

Renne's lips trembled uncontrollably. Her body shook as raw, agonized sobs escaped her, the sound echoing through the empty hallway like a funeral dirge. Van's heart shattered at the sight, the pain in her eyes cutting deeper than any blade could. He wanted to just hold her, to make it all go away—but he was paralyzed by the horror of it all.

"Renne..." Van's voice was barely a whisper, his own heart aching with every tear that streaked her bruised and battered face. "Renne, I'm so sorry... I'm so, so sorry..."

His hand trembled as it hovered over her shoulder. The feeling of the bruises beneath her torn clothing, made him sick to his core. But he had to do something. He had to try to comfort her, even if he didn't know how.

"Please, Renne... tell me what to do," he begged, his voice quaking. "There must be something I can do... anything..." His fingers barely grazed her skin as he placed a tentative hand on her shoulder, the fragility of her form making his heart ache even more. He squeezed gently, trying to offer some semblance of comfort, but it felt pitiful, insufficient in the face of her torment. "I'm here, Renne... I'm here."

Renne sniffled, her voice cracking as she spoke. "H-He... he killed Mark Miller... and then... he turned him into a zombie..."

Van's breath caught in his throat, her words landing like a punch to the gut. He stared at her, his mind reeling, unable to process the horror of what she was saying. "Wait... what? What did you say...?" His voice was raw with disbelief, each word scratching at his throat.

But Renne didn't look up, her tears still flowing as she spoke, her words almost a whisper. "I... I don't know how... Kain did something... with his blood... and then Mark rose up... like a monster... But even worse... I failed, Van... He has Agnès now..."

Van felt as if the ground had been ripped out from under him. Agnès... in the hands of that monster? The thought sent a bolt of fear through him, cold and paralyzing. "He has Agnès?" His voice trembled as he fought to contain his rising panic. "What do you mean he has her?"

Renne's tears flowed freely now, her voice breaking as she forced the words out. "H-He... made her... submit to him... to that monster..."

Van's heart seemed to stop in his chest, the horror of what she was saying overwhelming him. Agnès, strong and independent Agnès... submitting to that creature? It was unthinkable, unbearable. "No... no, that can't be... she wouldn't..." His voice was barely a whisper, his mind desperately trying to reject the reality in front of him.

But there was no denying it. The truth was there, in Renne's eyes, in her broken voice. Van's breath quickened as a mix of desperation and resolve took hold of him. "Renne, we have to do something. We have to save her," he said, his voice gaining strength as determination hardened within him.

The eerily smiling students that had threatened Van earlier with their own deaths began to move, their stiff fingers rising in unison to point down the darkened path leading to the sports area. Van's gaze followed the direction they indicated, dread creeping up his spine.

He swallowed hard, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on him. But he couldn't hesitate. He couldn't let fear stop him, not now. "Renne..." He turned to her, his voice soft but firm. "Stay here. I'll go and save her."

Renne nodded weakly, her eyes still glistening with tears. "Yes... please... be careful, Van..."

Van gave her one last, lingering look, silently vowing to return with Agnès, no matter the cost. Then, with a heart heavy with fear and determination, he set off down the path, each step taking him closer to the nightmare that awaited him.

The sports arena loomed ahead, the air thick with an ominous stillness. As Van approached, his heart pounded in his chest, a mix of dread and fury tightening his throat. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, bracing himself for whatever horrors lay within.

The scene that greeted him was worse than any nightmare. The vast playing field was marred by a grotesque hill of shriveled corpses, their lifeless bodies piled high in a grotesque mockery of life. At the summit of this twisted mound sat a throne, and on that throne, lounging like a king over a kingdom of the damned, was Kain. The same dark-haired, crimson-eyed figure Van had fought only one day before. His lips curled into a smug grin as he met Van's gaze.

But it was the sight of Agnès that made Van's blood run cold. She was on Kain's lap, her arms wrapped tightly around him, her once vibrant eyes now dull and lifeless. Kain's hand rested possessively on her hip, his other hand holding a glass filled with a sickeningly familiar brownish liquid.

Van's heart plummeted, the image before him searing into his mind. This wasn't just a victory for Kain—it was a complete and utter domination. Agnès, his Agnès, was now a captive, held under the thrall of a monster who reveled in her despair.

Kain looked down at Van, his smirk widening. "I told you to hurry, Van Arkride," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "But because you took so long, I decided to have a little fun. A few poor souls here couldn't resist... so I sank my teeth into them. And now..." He gestured to the pile of corpses with a casual wave, as if they were nothing more than discarded toys.

Van's eyes burned with rage, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The sight of Kain's arrogance, the twisted pleasure he took in his cruelty, made Van's stomach churn with fury and revulsion. But it was the sight of Agnès, her spirit crushed, her will broken, that nearly drove him to his knees.

This monster had taken everything from him, from Renne, from Agnès. And now, as Kain's taunting laughter filled the air, Van knew that there was only one thing left to do. He would stop at nothing to save Agnès, even if it meant facing the very depths of despair itself.

"Bastard..." Van growled, his voice low and filled with venom as he took a step forward. His entire body shook with a burning rage, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Release her. Now."

The sight of Agnès, forced to kneel on Kain's lap, her eyes void of their usual fire, was a dagger to his heart. But what truly tore at him was the cold, vacant smile she wore—a smile that didn't belong to the Agnès he knew and loved. It was like staring at a lifeless doll, a twisted parody of the vibrant girl she once was.

Agnès' empty eyes met his, and that smile remained as she whispered, "Van...?"

He froze, the sound of her voice hollow, devoid of any warmth. It was as if every ounce of emotion had been drained from her, leaving behind a chilling emptiness that made his blood run cold. "Agnès...?" Van's voice cracked, barely able to get the words out. "Is... is that you?"

He stared at her, a storm of confusion and dread swirling within him. This couldn't be Agnès—the strong, determined girl he admired. The lively, independent soul who had always fought back against whatever life threw at her. What he saw before him was a cruel mockery, a shell of the person he cared so deeply for.

Agnès giggled, a sound that should have been light and carefree but was now laced with a sinister undertone. "Yes, Van... it's me."

The sound of that laughter, so cold and devoid of life, shattered something inside Van. This wasn't her. This couldn't be her. "No..." he whispered, taking another step forward, his voice trembling with desperation. "This can't be real. This... this isn't you!"

He moved closer, his eyes pleading with hers, silently begging her to break free from whatever darkness had consumed her. But she continued to look down at him with that soulless gaze, her smile unwavering, and Van felt his world begin to crumble. Tears welled up, blurring his vision as he reached out a trembling hand toward her, hoping, praying, that his touch might bring her back.

But deep down, a part of him knew the truth. The Agnès he knew was gone, replaced by this emotionless puppet, a slave to Kain's will.

Agnès looked down at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Van... but it's too late." She slowly unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her pale skin marred by a vicious bite mark on her breast. "Kain has me in his grasp now..."

Van's heart nearly stopped at the sight. The bite mark was a grotesque symbol of the monster's control, a horrifying reminder of how far things had gone. A wave of nausea hit him, but he forced it down, refusing to let it consume him. "No... no, it can't be too late," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "There has to be a way to save you. I won't give up on you, Agnès. I won't!"

He clenched his fists, determination flooding through him. He refused to believe this was the end. There had to be a way, a chance to save her from this nightmare, no matter how impossible it seemed.

Agnès' cold smile turned almost mocking, her eyes devoid of any sympathy. "Kain will be my master... and my lover now. He promised to make me one of his own... immortal, powerful. I'll rule alongside him."

Her words were like daggers, each one piercing Van's heart with unbearable pain. The thought of her becoming one of those monsters, of her willingly submitting to Kain, was more than he could bear. "No..." Van croaked, his voice barely a whisper. "Please... don't say that..."

He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her tight and refuse to let go until the real Agnès returned. But the bite mark, the dead look in her eyes, and the cruel smile on her lips told him that she was lost, trapped in a web of darkness that he couldn't unravel.

Kain's grin widened as he wrapped an arm around Agnès's waist, pulling her closer to him. She gasped, leaning into him as though seeking comfort. "Indeed," Kain taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance, "your dear Agnès is mine now, Van Arkride. She will be the Castellan of my empire, ruling over Edith and soon all of Calvard, by my side. My lover by night, and she will feed on the unsuspecting fools who cross our path."

The sight of Kain touching her, claiming her as if she were nothing but a trophy, made Van's blood boil. His body trembled with fury, his nails digging into his palms so hard that blood began to seep from the crescents they left behind. The rage was too much, too overwhelming to contain any longer.

He knew what he had to do.

Van took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The power within him, the power of the Grendel, surged in response to his anger and despair, demanding to be unleashed. He had resisted using it for so long, knowing the price it demanded, but now... now he had no choice.

He closed his eyes, focusing on the dark energy that roiled within him, letting it rise to the surface. The transformation was excruciating, his body contorting and shifting as muscles coiled and bones cracked. His skin burned as if set ablaze, every nerve screaming in agony, but he held on, forcing himself to endure it.

His teeth elongated, his vision sharpened to a razor's edge, and the world around him shifted into unnerving clarity. He could smell the blood in the air, hear the faintest heartbeat, every sense heightened to an unbearable degree. The transformation was almost complete.

As the final wave of pain washed over him, Van opened his eyes, now filled with a predatory gleam. The world seemed different, sharper, and more intense. He was no longer just Van Arkride. He was Grendel, a force of vengeance and fury, and he would not rest until Kain was destroyed.

The vampire's smug grin faltered as he noticed the change, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. But Van, now fully Grendel, didn't give him time to react. With a guttural roar, he approached Kain, the air around him crackling with the raw power of his transformation. He would save Agnès, no matter the cost. He would make Kain pay for every life he had taken, every soul he had corrupted.

And he would do it with the full might of the Grendel. Kain's grip on Agnès faltered. He let go of her. The vampire's lips curling into a mocking grin as he set his sights on Van. "Oh my... you can transform into a monster? Maybe you and I aren't so different after all..." His voice was smooth, almost playful, but laced with venomous intent.

Van's face twisted into a snarl, his entire being recoiling at the comparison. The mere suggestion that he shared anything in common with this abomination made his blood boil. He could feel the Grendel's power roaring within him, urging him to tear Kain apart. "Don't you dare compare us," he growled, his voice a dangerous rumble. "We are nothing alike."

Kain's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement as he leaped down from the gruesome pile of corpses. He landed gracefully, his form emanating a dark energy that sent shivers through the air. He settled into a fighting stance, his posture confident, almost casual. "Hmm... this might be entertaining..."

Van's gaze hardened, tracking every move Kain made. The sight of him, so at ease amidst the carnage, filled Van with a deep, burning disgust. But there was no room for hesitation. The Grendel's power surged through him, sharpening his senses, heightening his awareness. The time for words was over.

"Bring it on," Van spat, his voice brimming with determination. The adrenaline pumped through his veins, his muscles coiled like a spring, ready to explode into action. He wouldn't let Kain's arrogance stand unchallenged. He would wipe that smug grin off the vampire's face, no matter the cost.

Kain's eyes sparkled with dark delight as he extended his arms, summoning a crackling aura of electricity around him. With a swift motion, he conjured a spear of pure lightning, its energy pulsating with lethal intent. "Let's see if you can keep up, hero," Kain taunted, his voice dripping with condescension.

Van's eyes narrowed, his focus unyielding. He didn't need any more provocation. With a burst of speed that left the air humming, he lunged forward, his fist cocked back to strike. The impact was immediate, a thunderous collision of flesh against flesh as Van's fist slammed into Kain's midsection. It felt like punching solid steel, but Van wasn't deterred. He followed up with a series of rapid strikes, each blow fueled by the Grendel's primal fury.

Kain staggered slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as Van's relentless assault forced him back. Blood spattered the ground as Van's fists and feet found their marks, tearing into Kain's flesh with brutal precision. But Kain was no ordinary foe. With a snarl, he thrust his lightning spear forward, aiming to skewer Van through the heart.

Van barely managed to sidestep the attack, the spear grazing his side as he twisted out of the way. The close call only fueled his resolve, his movements becoming a blur as he pressed the attack. He ducked under Kain's next strike, retaliating with a vicious roundhouse kick that sent the vampire stumbling.

Kain growled, his patience wearing thin. With a snarl, he raised his hand to the sky. Several lightning bolts shot out from his hand and gathered above them. The Lightning crackled and with a motion, Kain summoned a massive bow of electricity, its string humming with raw power. Without hesitation, he drew the bow and fired a bolt of lightning directly at Van.

Van's eyes widened as the lightning arrow streaked toward him, but his reflexes were honed by the Grendel's power. He leaped aside, the arrow narrowly missing him and exploding against the ground with a deafening roar. The shockwave sent him skidding across the area, but Van recovered quickly, his eyes locked onto Kain with a steely determination.

"You're going to have to do better than that," Van spat, his voice laced with defiance. He could feel the Grendel's power surging within him, pushing him beyond his limits. He wouldn't let this monster get the better of him.

Kain smirked, unfazed by Van's defiance. "Oh, I plan to," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. He conjured another lightning arrow, but Van was already moving. He charged forward, closing the distance between them with blinding speed. Kain loosed the arrow, but Van dodged it with ease, his body a blur as he closed in on the vampire.

With a roar, Van drove his fist into Kain's chest, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the air. Kain grunted in pain, but he wasn't done yet. With a snarl, he lashed out with his claws, raking them across Van's chest. The vampire's claws crackled with energy, tearing through flesh and muscle with ease.

Van hissed in pain but refused to back down. He retaliated with a powerful uppercut, followed by a barrage of lightning-fast punches that drove Kain back. The Grendel's power roared within him, amplifying his strength, speed, and ferocity. He could feel Kain's defenses weakening, his body taking on more and more damage with each blow.

Kain's eyes blazed with fury as he summoned another spear of lightning, hurling it at Van with all his might. Van dodged the attack, but Kain was on him in an instant, his claws slashing through the air with lethal precision. Van blocked and parried as best he could, but the vampire was relentless, his attacks fueled by a dark, unholy power.

But Van wasn't about to give up. He summoned every ounce of strength he had left, his body glowing with a dark, ominous energy as he prepared for one final strike. With a snarl, he thrust his hand forward, summoning a massive blast of energy that crackled with destructive power.

Kain's eyes widened in shock as Van directed the blast directly at him. The attack sliced through the air like a bolt of divine wrath, and Kain barely had time to react. The blast struck him dead center, the force of the impact driving him backward and pinning him to the ground.

Kain let out a choked scream as the blast of dark energy impaled him, his body convulsing violently from the demonic power coursing through him. But Van wasn't done yet. With a roar, he hurled at Kain with all his might. His fists struck Kain's torso with a sickening crunch, splitting his body in two.

Kain's scream echoed through the battlefield, but it was quickly cut short as Van gathered energy into his fist again. This time, he aimed directly for Kain's neck. The fist flew through the air with lethal precision, ripping Kain's head from his shoulders with a single, brutal strike.

For a moment, everything was still. The only sound was the heavy, ragged breaths of Van as he stood over Kain's remains. The vampire's body lay in three pieces: his head, his torso, and his legs, all separated and lifeless on the ground.

Van's chest heaved with exertion, his body trembling from the overwhelming power he had unleashed. But it was over. Kain was defeated, his body torn apart, and his life snuffed out. The monster that had terrorized Agnès, the city, and countless others was no more.

Van stood over the remains, his breathing gradually slowing as the adrenaline began to fade. He had won. He had saved Agnès and put an end to Kain's reign of terror. But as he looked down at the broken body of his enemy, he couldn't help but feel a pang of something—was it satisfaction? Relief? Or perhaps, a lingering sense of dread at the power he had wielded to achieve this victory.

But whatever it was, Van pushed it aside. There would be time to reflect later. For now, he had won the battle, and Agnès was safe. He glanced back at the pile of corpses, his eyes narrowing as he thought of all the lives that had been lost because of Kain. With a final, resolute nod, Van turned away from Kain's remains.

Van glanced at Agnès, who remained frozen in place, her eyes fixed on the dismembered remains of Kain. Her expression was blank, devoid of any recognition or emotion. The sight sent a jolt of urgency through him—he needed to snap her out of it, to bring her back before it was too late.

But before he could even take a step towards her, Kain's severed body parts twitched violently, as if an unseen force was pulling them together. Van's eyes widened in disbelief as Kain's limbs and torso began to reassemble themselves, reversing the brutal damage as though time itself were being rewound. In seconds, Kain stood tall once more, unfazed and smirking with a devilish glint in his eyes.

"My, my, my... Not bad," Kain drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Better than your last attempt. I'd give it a six out of ten, though."

Van's heart pounded in his chest, the sense of triumph that had begun to build now crushed under the weight of cold dread. How could this be happening? He had watched Kain's body fall apart, seen him torn to pieces—yet here he was, whole and unharmed as if nothing had happened.

"This... this can't be happening..." Van muttered, stumbling back a step. His eyes darted between Kain's reformed figure and the still-motionless Agnès. The shock of what he was witnessing left him reeling. "How... how is this even possible?" His voice was shaky, barely above a whisper. "I saw you die... you were in pieces... How are you standing here like nothing happened?"

Kain's laughter echoed through the air, a cold and sinister sound that made Van's skin crawl. "Let me enlighten you," Kain began, his tone condescending. "We Dead Apostles possess a form of limited immortality—The Curse of Restoration. It's a nifty little trick that allows our bodies to revert to their original vampiric state whenever we suffer injuries. Our blood is imbued with a magical essence called 'Ether,' which can manifest anything we need, as long as our supply of blood doesn't run dry. And fortunately for me, I fed on quite a few of those poor students before you so rudely interrupted."

Van's eyes widened as the gravity of Kain's words sank in. Regeneration, a curse, ether… It all made a terrifying sort of sense. "So, no matter what I do, no matter how much I hurt you… you'll just come back? Like nothing happened?" His voice trembled with disbelief and mounting dread. "You're indestructible?"

Kain's grin broadened, his teeth sharp and predatory like a fox savoring the sight of its cornered prey. "Exactly. As long as I have a steady supply of blood, you could even vaporize me, and I'd still regenerate from a single strand of hair in minutes."

Each word Kain spoke felt like a dagger twisting deeper into Van's gut, the sense of hopelessness wrapping tighter around him. He cast a desperate glance at Agnès, who still stood unmoving, her eyes wide and empty. "Damn it..." he muttered under his breath, the situation growing more desperate by the second. How was he supposed to protect her—protect anyone—from this immortal monster?

His mind raced, frantically searching for a solution, but every idea crumbled under the weight of Kain's invincibility. The thought of facing an enemy he couldn't kill, couldn't even injure permanently, was almost too much to bear.

"There has to be a way..." Van whispered to himself, his voice laced with desperation. But the overwhelming despair threatened to suffocate him, his mind spiraling into a dark abyss where every possible outcome ended in failure.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging painfully into his palms as he struggled to think, to find some glimmer of hope. But no matter how hard he tried, no matter how desperately he searched, every path led to the same inescapable conclusion: they were trapped, doomed to fight a losing battle against an immortal foe.

"Damn it... Damn it all..." Van cursed, his voice raw with frustration and fear. He looked back at Kain, who stood there smug and unscathed, as if the brutal fight mere moments ago had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

Anger flared within Van, mixing with the desperation and fear boiling inside him, threatening to explode. But he forced himself to stay calm, to keep his emotions in check. Losing control now would only make things worse. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves before he spoke again.

"What do you want from us?" Van demanded, his voice firm, despite the turmoil churning inside him.

Kain's smile widened, dark and sinister. "I want this world—and Agnès—to belong to me," he replied smoothly. "But first and foremost, I have a promise to keep to my mistress."

Van's heart skipped a beat at Kain's words. The casual way he spoke about wanting to claim the world and Agnès as his own sent a chill down Van's spine. "Your mistress...?" he echoed, his voice tense, wary of what this revelation might mean.

Kain's expression softened slightly, almost as if recalling a fond memory. "Yes... My mistress. The vampire who turned me."

Van's mind raced, struggling to process this new information. Another vampire—someone even more powerful than Kain? The implications were horrifying. "And you're doing all of this for her? You're trying to take over this world, take Agnès… for her?"

Kain's laugh was sharp, cruel. "No, no... I want Agnès for myself," he corrected, a twisted glint in his eyes. "As for my mistress, I swore to fulfill her ambitions. For that, I must perform a very specific ritual."

A cold dread washed over Van, each word Kain spoke sending icy tendrils of fear through him. "And what exactly does this ritual entail?" he asked, his voice taut with tension.

Kain's smile turned sickeningly sweet, a grotesque mockery of innocence. "The offering of blood. An entire town's worth of blood. And I've decided to sacrifice Edith."

The revelation hit Van like a physical blow, horror and rage surging through him in equal measure. Kain planned to slaughter an entire town full of innocents—people Van knew, people he cared for—all for some twisted ritual. The thought was sickening, like a toxic bile rising in his throat.

"You... you can't do that!" Van protested, his voice shaking with fury and disbelief. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, the sheer magnitude of Kain's plan igniting a fierce, protective anger within him. The image of Edith, its streets stained with blood, its people massacred like sacrificial lambs, filled him with a rage so intense it nearly blinded him.

"You're not sacrificing an entire town!" he shouted, his voice trembling with barely contained fury. "Not while I can still fight!"

He stepped forward, his anger and desperation fueling a newfound determination. He couldn't let this monster destroy Edith—couldn't let him take away everything and everyone he loved. He would fight, no matter the odds, no matter the cost. "I won't let you hurt anyone else," Van declared, his voice resolute. "Not if I can help it."

Kain chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Oh, how amusing," he sneered. "The Spriggan wants to play the hero and monster hunter. Didn't Mark tell you the story of Chapelwaite? How I laid waste to his hometown, turned its citizens into vampires, and killed all his allies? And so, it will begin again. Just here, in Edith, first. But eventually, all of Zemuria will follow."

Van clenched his teeth at the mention of Chapelwaite. He knew the horrors vampires could unleash, the devastation they could bring upon innocent lives. But this was different. This was Edith—a place he had come to love, a place filled with people he had sworn to protect. The thought of it being reduced to ashes, of its people being slaughtered like cattle, made his stomach churn with a mixture of disgust and fury.

"You're a monster," Van spat through gritted teeth, his voice shaking with barely suppressed rage. "A goddamn monster."

Kain's laughter echoed in the night, cold and unfeeling. "If you ask me, I feel more blessed than damned," he replied with a dark smile. "And as for the 'monster' part… Well, people have called me worse. For someone with your shady reputation, Van Arkride, I expected a more colorful vocabulary. You keep underwhelming me."

Van's fists clenched tighter, his mind racing for a plan, a strategy, anything that could turn the tide. But as Kain stood there, smug and invincible, Van couldn't help but feel the weight of his own helplessness pressing down on him. The odds were against him, but he refused to give up. He had to protect Edith, had to save Agnès, had to find a way to stop this nightmare from becoming reality.

And no matter what it took, he would find that way

Van's jaw clenched as Kain's words dripped with mockery. The creature treated their dire situation like a twisted game, stoking the fire of Van's determination.

"Don't fool yourself," Van growled, his voice thick with contempt. "You're not blessed. You're just a leech, a parasite. A monster."

Kain chuckled, his amusement unshaken. "And yet, I have all the power, all the influence. I get what I want, when I want. Take Renne, for instance. She defied me, and look where that got her—used like a common plaything. Agnès will experience the same bliss, the same power, and the immortality I enjoy."

Van's breath caught in his throat at the mention of Renne. The thought of her suffering, being manipulated by Kain, ignited a fierce rage within him. She was just a kid, and Kain had treated her like a disposable pawn. And now Agnès might suffer the same fate...

"You sick bastard..." Van's voice was barely a whisper, trembling with barely contained fury.

He was shaking now, every emotion—anger, rage, despair—roiling inside him like a storm about to break. The thought of Kain laying his hands on Agnès was unbearable.

"You won't touch her," Van vowed, his voice low and deadly. "I'll rip you apart before I let you lay a single finger on her."

Kain laughed, a condescending sound that grated on Van's nerves. "Too late. I've already had my fun with her, done things most men wouldn't even dream of."

Van felt his blood run cold. The mere suggestion that Kain had violated Agnès filled him with a revulsion so intense it threatened to choke him. It was beyond monstrous, beyond inhumane.

"You... you have no right," he spat, his voice shaking with rage. "No right to touch her like that..."

Kain's laughter echoed through the room. "Oh, but I do. It's the oldest right there is—the law of nature. The strong take what they want, and the weak perish."

Van's hands trembled with rage, nails digging into his palms as he fought to control the urge to launch himself at Kain. The sheer arrogance of the vampire, his twisted sense of entitlement, was staggering.

"You think that just because you're strong, you can take whatever you want? Do whatever you want to others? That it's your right?" Van spat out, disgust and anger lacing every word.

Kain's expression hardened, his voice firm. "Of course it is. I am the superior species. You humans are nothing but cattle, prey for my sustenance."

Van's vision blurred with fury. The casual way Kain dismissed human life as insignificant, as mere fodder for his appetite, made Van's blood boil.

"You can't just discard people like that," Van growled, his voice thick with barely controlled rage. "You can't just treat others as less than human, as disposable objects. It's monstrous."

Kain smiled, sickeningly sweet. "But I can."

Van's eyes darkened with fury as Kain's smile widened. The nonchalance with which the monster spoke, the utter disregard for human life, fueled the storm within him.

"You're a goddamn psychopath," Van breathed, each word dripping with venom. His body was taut with tension, every fiber of his being screaming to tear Kain apart.

"You think you're untouchable," he continued, his voice barely controlled. "That you can do whatever you want, and no one can stop you."

The vampire nodded, smug and assured. "Yes, I do. Because I am."

Van gritted his teeth so hard it hurt. Kain's arrogance, his unshakable confidence in his invincibility, was like a knife twisting in an open wound. But Van forced himself to take a breath, to think. Charging headfirst into a fight with this creature would be suicide. He needed to find a way to weaken Kain, to negate his invincibility.

His hope lay in Kevin Graham, who was supposed to be sneaking up on Kain with the oak stake Mark had given them.

Van's heart raced as he realized what he had to do. It was a long shot, relying on Kevin's stealth, but it was all he had. He needed to keep Kain distracted, to buy Kevin the time he needed to strike.

He met Kain's gaze with a steely glare, masking the turmoil inside. He had to maintain the appearance of fear and intimidation, all while praying Kevin would succeed.

"You won't get away with this," Van said, his voice steady. "You think you're invincible, but there's always a weakness."

His entire body was on edge, his senses sharpened as he waited for the right moment. He kept his eyes on Kain, searching for any sign of movement from the others, any indication that Kevin was close.

Finally, Van spotted them—Bergard, Kevin, and Feri—creeping into the room. Kevin held the oak stake tightly in his hands.

Van's heart skipped a beat as hope surged within him. They were here. His gaze darted back to Kain, who remained oblivious to their presence. The vampire grinned at him, completely unaware of the danger.

"I think it's time to get serious, Van Arkride," Kain sneered, extending his hand towards Van. He closed his eyes, concentrating energy into his palm before snapping them open again. "Snap!" he shouted, releasing a light blue projectile aimed directly at Van's Grendel form.

Time seemed to slow as Kain stretched out his hand, the air around him crackling with energy. Van's heart lurched as he saw the build-up of blue light, knowing instinctively what was coming. Acting on pure instinct, he dove to the side, the projectile whizzing past him with terrifying speed. It slammed into the wall behind him, blasting a hole clean through it.

Van landed hard, his body crouched low as he gasped for breath. His heart thundered in his chest, the realization of how close he had come to death sending a shiver down his spine. Kain's power was far beyond anything he had anticipated.

He glanced toward his friends—Kevin, Bergard, and Feri—hoping they were still concealed, preparing their attack. But when Van turned back to Kain, the vampire was gone.

A jolt of panic shot through Van. One moment, Kain had been standing right there, and now, he had vanished. His eyes darted frantically around the room, searching for any sign of the monster.

"Van! Behind you!" Feri's voice rang out, sharp with terror.

Van spun around just in time to catch a blur of motion. Kain was upon him, his fingers transformed into deadly claws, swinging straight for Van with terrifying force. There was no time to react, no time to dodge. Van's eyes widened in horror, and he barely had time to brace himself.

The claws tore into Van's side with a sickening crunch. Pain exploded through him as he was thrown to the ground, gasping as the air was knocked from his lungs. Warm blood oozed from the deep gashes, staining his clothes and pooling beneath him. He clutched at the wound, trying desperately to stop the bleeding, but the pain was almost unbearable.

"Van!" Kevin's voice broke through the haze of pain. Van forced his eyes open, seeing his friends rushing toward him, weapons drawn.

Kain stood over Van, a cruel smile on his lips as he raised his hand to unleash another spell. Van tried to rise, to warn his friends, but his body refused to obey. The pain was too much. All he could do was watch, helpless, as Kain prepared to strike.

With a sudden burst of determination, Van pushed himself up, gritting his teeth against the agony that wracked his body. He knew this was suicide, charging at Kain in his condition, but he had to buy them time. He had to protect his friends.

Kain turned, sensing Van's approach, and raised his hand to cast another spell. But before he could release it, Feri's voice rang out, fierce and defiant. "Take this, you monster!"

She fired a grenade from her launcher, the small device exploding in a cloud of tear gas right in front of Kain. The vampire recoiled, a hiss of pain escaping him as the gas filled the room. His eyes watered, his vision blurred, and for the first time, Van saw genuine pain etched across Kain's face.

"You stupid brat!" Kain roared, tears streaming down his cheeks as he staggered back, momentarily blinded.

Van, Bergard, and Kevin exchanged a quick glance. This was their chance.

Van ignored the searing pain in his side and charged forward, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He could see Kain's disoriented form, still reeling from the tear gas, and knew this was the moment they had to strike. With Bergard by his side, they closed in on the vampire, their hearts pounding in unison.

They reached Kain together, each grabbing one of his arms and holding on with all their might. Kain thrashed and struggled, his strength nearly ripping them apart, but they held firm, their grips unyielding. Van gritted his teeth, every movement sending fresh waves of pain through his body, but he refused to let go.

"Now, Kevin!" Van shouted, his voice hoarse with effort.

Kevin leaped forward, the oak stake clutched tightly in his hand. With a fierce cry, he drove the stake into Kain's chest with all the strength he could muster. The sharp wood pierced through flesh and bone, and Kain's eyes widened in shock and agony. Blood, dark and thick, gushed from the wound, and Kain let out a choked cry, his body convulsing as the pain overwhelmed him.

Van and Bergard held tight as Kain writhed in their grasp, the vampire's body tensing as the stake embedded deeper. They could feel the heat of his blood seeping onto their hands, the sickening scent of it filling the air. Kain's mouth opened, a garbled moan escaping his lips, but he couldn't form words. All that came out were gasps and coughs as blood dripped from his mouth.

Then, suddenly, the stake burst into flames. Bright, orange-red fire consumed the wood, spreading quickly over Kain's body. The vampire's screams filled the room as the flames licked at his flesh, the heat searing his skin. Van and Bergard released him, stumbling back as the inferno engulfed Kain entirely.

The room was filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh, the sound of Kain's agonized cries echoing off the walls. The fire grew, devouring Kain's body as he thrashed wildly, desperate to escape the pain. But it was too late. The flames had him now, and there was no escape.

Van watched, his heart pounding, as the fire consumed Kain. The vampire's once proud and powerful form was reduced to little more than a writhing, burning mass. The heat was almost unbearable, forcing Van and the others to take a step back as the flames roared higher.

Finally, with one last, pained scream, Kain's body collapsed to the ground, a burning husk that continued to smolder and crackle. The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackling of the fire as it slowly died down.

Van swayed on his feet, the adrenaline draining out of him, leaving him weak and shaky. He pressed a hand to his bleeding side, the pain now a dull throb that pulsed with every beat of his heart. His gaze lingered on the remains of Kain, the vampire's body charred and still.

It was over.

Kevin, Bergard, and Feri gathered around Van, their faces etched with relief and exhaustion. They had won, but the victory felt hollow, tainted by the cost they had paid. Van could feel the weariness settling into his bones, the weight of the battle pressing down on him.

He looked at his friends, their eyes meeting in silent understanding. They had survived, but they were changed. The fight against Kain had taken something from each of them, something they could never get back.

Van clutched his wound, wincing as the pain flared up again. The adrenaline that had fueled him was gone, leaving only the raw, searing agony of his injury. But he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the faces of his friends, the people he had fought to protect.

Kevin's eyes narrowed, suspicion darkening his features. "This isn't right... this isn't what Mark told me..."

Van, still catching his breath and nursing the pain in his side, furrowed his brow. Kevin's words cut through the fog of his thoughts, pulling him back to the gravity of the situation. He turned to Kevin, searching for an explanation. "What do you mean?"

Kevin glanced at Van, his expression troubled. "Mark told me that the stake would only incapacitate Kain, leaving him on the ground, restrained and powerless. It wasn't supposed to burn him up. Only lesser vampires turn to ash when staked. Kain should've been different."

Van's eyes widened, his pulse quickening as he replayed the moment in his mind. He had seen the stake ignite, setting Kain ablaze, reducing him to nothing more than smoldering ash. If Kevin was right, if what they had just witnessed wasn't supposed to happen, then something was horribly wrong.

"So you're saying... what we just saw... wasn't supposed to happen?" Van's voice wavered, his mind struggling to keep pace with this new revelation.

Their eyes drifted back to the charred remains, the once powerful vampire now reduced to a hissing, writhing corpse. But as they stared, the form shifted, its shape becoming clearer through the smoke and flames. Horror gripped them as the truth was revealed—lying before them was not Kain, but the twisted, blackened body of Mark Miller.

A wave of disbelief crashed over Van. His heart pounded as he grappled with the sight before him. It couldn't be Mark—it shouldn't be Mark. He was their ally, the one who had warned them, guided them. But now, all that remained of him was a charred husk. Van's throat tightened, his mind reeling, desperate to find some logic in this nightmare.

Suddenly, the sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the room, pulling Van and his friends out of their shock. From the shadows emerged the figure of Kain, his smug grin slicing through the darkness like a blade. His eyes, cold and mocking, locked onto them.

"Congratulations," Kain sneered, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "You've just killed your first ghoul."

Shock morphed into raw, seething anger as Van stared at Kain, who stood before them completely unharmed. His hands clenched into tight fists, knuckles white with fury. "What the hell?! We just watched you burn! How are you still alive?!"

Kain's laugh was low and cruel, echoing off the walls like a twisted melody. "I told you over the phone, didn't I? I got to Mark. Turned him into a ghoul, a mindless servant. You lost sight of me during our little skirmish, Spriggan. In those precious seconds, I used Mark's corpse as a decoy, making him appear as me. When you staked that body, it burned up—just as I intended—while I slipped back into the shadows, returning to my true form. Now, you've wasted your only weapon on a corpse. And to top it all off, you've killed your dear ally."

Van's blood boiled at Kain's words, his body trembling with the effort to keep his rage in check. He had been played, outsmarted by this monster, and now Mark was dead—nothing more than a pawn sacrificed in Kain's sick game. His mind raced, but every thought was clouded by the overpowering urge to make Kain pay.

"You son of a—" Van choked on his words, his voice shaking with fury and grief. He wanted to lash out, to tear Kain apart with his bare hands, but he forced himself to take a breath, to think. They had been outmaneuvered, tricked into killing their own. But they couldn't afford to lose control now.

"So what now, Kain?" Van spat, his voice laced with venom. "You've got what you wanted. What's your next move?"

Kain's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic glee. "Now, I rip you all to shreds. The strongest among you... I'll turn into my loyal servants. And then we'll begin the ritual in earnest."

A chill ran down Van's spine. They were outmatched, outmaneuvered at every turn. But giving up wasn't an option. Not now. Not when so much was at stake. He squared his shoulders, defiance burning in his eyes. "Like hell you will. We're not going down without a fight."

Kain's mocking laughter filled the room once more, and then his gaze shifted to Agnès, who sat still and regal on her throne, her expression a mask of cold indifference. "See, Agnès? Your friends really are fools. Watch closely as I put them in their place. Observe, my future queen, and learn."

Van's heart twisted at the sight of Agnès, her face a stone-cold mask. She had fought alongside them, shared in their victories and losses, and now she was going to watch them die? Betrayal gnawed at his insides, but he pushed the feeling down, focusing on her with a mixture of disbelief and desperation. "Agnès... why are you doing this? Why are you siding with him?"

Her eyes flicked to Van, the slightest hint of emotion flashing across them before she spoke, her voice as chilling as the winter wind. "Because he has offered me something I cannot refuse."

Van's heart pounded in his chest, anger and desperation swirling together. What could Kain have possibly offered her that was worth more than their friendship, their trust? "What is it? What did he promise you?"

Agnès's lips curled into a sly smile, her gaze locking onto Van's with cold determination. "He offered me power. The power to become the ruler of this world. With his help, I'll achieve everything I've ever wanted. And you... all of you... will be nothing but collateral damage."

Van's stomach churned at her words, the coldness in her voice sending a shiver down his spine. He had fought beside Agnès, trusted her with his life, and now she was willing to throw it all away for power. His fists clenched in anger. "Agnès, you can't be serious. We've fought together, bled together. You can't just throw us away like this."

For a moment, her expression softened, a flicker of something almost human crossing her face. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the same icy resolve. "I understand your feelings, I really do. But power and ambition are stronger than friendship. I have to do what's best for me, not for you."

Van's heart ached at her words, the weight of betrayal pressing down on him. "What about loyalty? Trust? All the times we saved each other's lives? Does that mean nothing to you now?"

Agnès shrugged, her gaze turning cold and indifferent once more. "Unfortunately, those things are meaningless now. I have a chance to get everything I've ever wanted, to become the most powerful being in this world. I can't let that slip away because of foolish emotions like loyalty and trust."

Her gaze grew more intense, more predatory as she continued, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "And... with Kain by my side, I'll have all the bliss and pleasure a woman could ever need."

Van's stomach turned at her words, a wave of disgust washing over him. The idea of Kain as her 'mate' made his skin crawl, but he held back the bile rising in his throat. Agnès, the woman he had once trusted with his life, was now a stranger—cold, ruthless, and hungry for power.

"You can't be serious," Van spat, his voice thick with disbelief. "You're really going to engage with him? A vampire, a monster who kills and enslaves without a second thought? You honestly believe he'll make a good partner?"

Agnès's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Oh, my dear Van, you have no idea just how perfect he'll be. He will give me the power I crave and satisfy every need and desire I have—things you could never provide. He will be the ideal husband and more." She paused, her voice dropping to a playful, almost mocking tone. "And he'll grant me immortality as well. I will be his vampire queen, and together, we'll feed on the foolish mortals of Zemuria. Once his ritual is complete, not even the goddess herself will be able to stop us. It's too late, Van. Resistance is futile. Mark tried and failed. Renne tried and failed. You tried, and you failed. Accept us as your new gods and masters."

Van's heart sank as he listened to her twisted vision of the future. The thought of Agnès marrying Kain, becoming a ruling vampire queen, sent a wave of nausea through him. He could almost see it—her and Kain, sitting on a throne of bones, feasting on the blood of innocents as if they were cattle. But despite the horror clawing at his insides, Van's resolve only hardened.

"I won't accept that," he said, his voice steely. "You may have turned your back on us, but I won't give up. I'll fight until my last breath to stop this."

Agnès chuckled softly. "But Van, I haven't turned my back on you. I still consider you my friends, and I'm even giving you some advice. But Kain… he's so dashing, powerful, and attractive. He knows how to make me feel desired, wanted. The world as we know it is ending, Van. Next week, when the eclipse happens, the sun will be blocked out, and the creatures of the night will reign supreme. During this time, we will strike, and Edith will fall."

Kain's voice cut through the room like a cold blade. "Exactly. In what I call the Black Mass, the monsters and the Dead under my control will march through the streets, slaughtering every living human they find. Their deaths will fuel the resurrection of Brunestud, the progenitor of us Dead Apostles. And when he rises, he will grant us a wish."

Van stared at Kain, horror and anger tightening his chest. "You're planning to turn the city into a slaughterhouse? To kill innocent people as sacrifices for some… Brunestud? This is madness!"

Kain sneered. "It's the end goal all of my kin share—the resurrection of Brunestud. It was the will of my mistress, and it will be fulfilled. Then, I will fulfill my dream of becoming the strongest Dead Apostle to ever walk this world. I will create a world where my kin reign supreme over foolish humans like you—a world where the true natural order is restored. None of you will stop me."

Van felt his blood boil. The arrogance and disdain in Kain's voice made his skin crawl. "So, you see humans as nothing more than insects to be ruled over and exploited? You think that's all we are? We have dreams, hopes, fears, just like you. We're not mindless servants for you to use."

Kain groaned in annoyance. "Yes, you are insects. A horde of naked primates that have polluted and destroyed this world with endless wars and industrialization. You accuse me of drinking the blood of others to survive, yet your technological advancements endanger every other species. And you hunt down anything that doesn't fit your narrow-minded ideals. Compared to you, we vampires are saints!"

Van's fury flared at Kain's words, the vampire's twisted logic only deepening his resolve. "Saints? You murder innocent people without a second thought. And you think that makes you better than us?"

Kain raised his head, his eyes gleaming with condescension. "At least we kill to quench our thirst. You kill for petty reasons—jealousy, greed, pride, politics. You kill for sport."

"That doesn't make your killings any more justified!" Van shot back. "You're still taking innocent lives. And don't pretend you're not greedy and prideful too! You want to rule over humans, use them as your playthings. That's just as greedy and prideful as anything we've done!"

Kain smiled coldly. "It's simply what we vampires do. Nature dictates that the fittest survive and rule. The weak perish. I am the strong one now. You are tired, beaten, and weak. I could kill you all right now."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Van knew Kain was right—they were outmatched, exhausted, and vulnerable. But he refused to give in, to admit defeat. Not when so much was at stake. "Maybe I'm tired. Maybe I'm beaten. But I refuse to give up. I won't surrender to you."

Kain rolled his eyes, raising his hand toward the sky. "Fine then… I'll end this now."

Kain raised his hand upwards and shouted ''Kirin!''. A lightning bolt shot from his palm. It grew bigger and shaped itself into a different form. It took the form of a giant eastern dragon. The lightning dragon roared and the shockwave shook the earth. Van and the others trembled at the sight sheer energy the beast made out of lightning possessed.

Van braced himself as its roars shaking the very ground beneath them. The force of its power was staggering, nearly knocking Van and his companions—Bergard, Kevin, and Feri—off their feet. The sheer magnitude of the creature made it clear just how outclassed they were.

As Van struggled to stay upright, his eyes met Agnès's cold gaze. Even now, despite everything, the sight of her twisted his gut with a mix of anger and sorrow. But seeing her sitting on that throne, indifferent to their plight, made his heart ache even more.

Kain chuckled, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. "Do not look at her like that, Van. She has chosen to join my side. And there's nothing you can do about it."

"Shut up!" Van shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "You're wrong! Agnès hasn't joined you! She's been tricked, brainwashed!"

Kain laughed, a cold, bitter sound. "You really think she's been 'brainwashed' by me? Do you think she's that weak-minded? No, Van. She joined me because she knows the truth—that humans are foolish, pathetic creatures, weak and easily manipulated. She knows that we Dead Apostles are superior. And she would rather rule by my side than by yours."

Van's fists clenched, his emotions threatening to spill over. "That's not true! Agnès would never think that! She cares about people, about the world. She's not a cold, heartless monster like you!"

Kain's smile widened, a predator's grin. "Not yet… but she will be. I know from experience. Once you're turned into a vampire, your human morals deteriorate fast. It was the same for my mistress when she became Roa's new vessel. It was the same for me—a foolish college student who ran into Roa one night. It was the same for Roger, who now runs rampant in the Intelligence Division. And it will be the same for Agnès. Look at her now, sitting on that throne. She already looks majestic, doesn't she? Imagine her once I've fully turned her into my progeny."

Van's heart clenched at the thought. The image of Agnès losing her humanity, becoming a vampire and a monster, was too much to bear. He shook his head, refusing to accept it. "No… That's not going to happen. I won't let you turn her into a monster. I'll stop you, somehow."

Kevin narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, determination etched in every line of his face.

Van's heart skipped a beat, seeing the fire in Kevin's gaze. He knew the Gralsritter was about to do something reckless, something dangerous. "Kevin, wait. Don't do anything rash."

Kevin glanced back with a faint smile. "Rash? Maybe. But if Kain thinks he's corrupted her already, I think I deserve a shot to prove him wrong."

Kain's smirk widened, his voice dripping with condescension. "And what of it, lapdog of the church? You think you can change her mind? Convince her to return to the light? I'd like to see you try."

Kevin didn't hesitate. "I've got one shot. Might as well take it."

Amused by Kevin's audacity, Kain chuckled. "Very well. Try your luck. But I assure you, it will be futile. Agnès has made her choice. She's beyond your reach."

Without a word, Kevin began to pray, his voice low but filled with unwavering faith. As he chanted, a magical circle formed around him, glowing with a radiant energy that pulsed with power. The others watched in awe as the circle expanded, enveloping Kevin in a golden light.

"In the name of She Who Dwells Above, do I hold this consecrated Septium. Space's golden glow... Consciousness' silver glow... By your opposing natures, lead this lamb to her lost fragments' true whereabouts," Kevin intoned, his voice resonating with ancient power.

Kain's smirk faltered slightly as he sensed the force behind Kevin's spell. He watched intently as the magic built around the priest, intrigued by its potential to challenge his hold on Agnès. For a moment, just a moment, doubt flickered in Kain's eyes.

Agnès stared at Kevin, her cold demeanor wavering. A spark of recognition danced in her eyes, as if the spell was reaching deep within her, touching something buried under Kain's influence.

The air crackled with tension as the magical energy continued to grow, the circle around Kevin now humming with power. The others stood by, their breath held, as they silently prayed that Kevin's magic would reach the Agnès they all knew and loved.

Agnès' composure began to crack. Her eyes flickered with emotion, her hands gripping the throne tightly as she struggled against Kain's control. The battle within her was visible, a war between the remnants of her humanity and the darkness that had consumed her.

Kain's smirk vanished completely, replaced by a scowl. He hadn't expected this much resistance. His mental grip on Agnès was weakening, Kevin's spell chipping away at the chains he had placed around her soul. With a growl of frustration, Kain snapped his fingers.

"Enough!" he bellowed, sending the lightning dragon crashing down toward Kevin.

The dragon roared as it descended, a storm of blinding light and deafening thunder. Van's eyes widened in horror as he realized the danger Kevin was in. Without thinking, he summoned every ounce of strength he had left and leaped in front of the boy, using his Grendel form to shield him.

Van roared in pain as the dragon's energy struck him, the force of it nearly overwhelming him. He could feel the raw power coursing through his body, pushing him to his limits, but he refused to falter. He would protect Kevin, no matter the cost.

"STOP IT!" A scream pierced the chaos, echoing through the room.

Everyone froze. Even Kain's command over the lightning dragon faltered. The voice was familiar—it was Agnès. But it wasn't the cold, detached tone they had grown accustomed to. It was filled with anger, with desperation, with humanity.

Agnès was standing now, her eyes blazing with fury. "I said STOP IT!" she shouted, her gaze locked on Kain. "You're hurting him! Stop the attack!"

Kain's eyes narrowed in surprise. He hadn't expected her to break free so easily. With a sneer, he snapped his fingers again, dissipating the lightning dragon in an instant. The group collectively exhaled in relief as the monstrous energy vanished.

Van collapsed, his body trembling from the effort. He reverted to his human form, panting heavily, his vision blurring. But then, Agnès was beside him, her hands on his shoulders, checking for injuries. The concern in her eyes made Van's heart twist in his chest.

Kain scoffed at the scene, his voice cold and mocking. "How touching. The little princess and her knight in shining armor. But don't think this changes anything, Agnès. You're still mine. You'll always be mine."

Agnès looked up at Kain, her eyes filled with defiance. "No, I won't give in to you. Not now, not ever." She squeezed Van's hand, her grip warm and reassuring.

Kain chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. "Oh really? But you were so eager to give in before. You think standing by your friends will change that? I could still take you by force if I wished."

Anger flashed in Agnès' eyes, but she didn't back down. Kevin and the others stood silently behind her, their expressions grim and determined. Van, still struggling to catch his breath, stared at Kain with a mix of defiance and exhaustion.

"You think you have control over me, but you're wrong," Agnès declared, her voice firm. "You can't force me to do anything I don't want to do. And if you try, I'll fight you with everything I have."

Kain's expression turned icy, a deadpan look crossing his face. "Even if it means losing all your friends in the process?"

Agnès hesitated, glancing back at Van and the others. The doubt in her eyes was clear, but then she steeled herself, her resolve hardening. She wouldn't let Kain win. Not like this.

Kain smirked, sensing her uncertainty. "Roger has already infiltrated the police, destroying them from the inside. I have an army of monsters under my control. How many people do you think will lose their lives in the coming week?"

Agnès' confidence wavered, her mind racing with the potential horrors Kain could unleash. She looked at Van, silently pleading for guidance, for strength.

Van's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing in anger. "So that's your plan? Terrorize people into submission? Use fear and violence to bend them to your will?"

Kain nodded, his smirk widening. "Quite effective, isn't it? People are so easy to manipulate when you threaten their loved ones."

Van clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. He gathered his remaining strength and pushed himself up, rising to his feet. He stepped in front of Agnès, shielding her with his body as he glared at Kain. "You're nothing but a coward, hiding behind threats and fear. That's not strength—it's cowardice."

Kain rolled his eyes at Van's defiance. "Well, it's not my fault you lot make yourselves so vulnerable. In the end, I'll always get what I want. And no one powerful enough to stop me is alive. Sooner or later, Agnès will give in. And if you're a good boy, Van, I might let you watch when that time comes."

Van's eyes widened in realization, his anger reaching its peak. "You sick bastard. You really think you can control her like she's some kind of puppet? She's her own person, Kain! She's not your plaything!"

Kain laughed, his voice dripping with condescension. "Oh, Van... You're so naive. People are like clay—easy to mold, easy to shape. Sure, they might resist at first, but in the end, they all submit to my will. Agnès will be no different."

Van glanced back at Agnès, seeing the pain and fear in her eyes. His heart ached for her, for the suffering she was enduring. "You really think you've won? You really think you can play with her mind and heart like this? You're underestimating her—and us!"

Kain's dark chuckle echoed through the room. "You think you can win with the power of friendship and determination? You're facing an immortal vampire with decades of experience. I've crushed far stronger opponents than you and your ragtag group of amateurs."

Van's resolve hardened. "We may be amateurs, but we're not backing down. We'll find a way to stop you. We'll keep fighting until you're defeated, and everyone is safe."

Kain's smile faded as he realized Van's determination wouldn't waver. He sneered, his body crackling with a blue aura. "We'll see about that."

In an instant, Kain's form dissolved into a blinding flash of lightning. The energy shot toward the group, a beam of destruction that tore through the room, leaving a massive hole in the wall. When the light faded, Kain was gone, his ominous presence vanishing into the night.

Van and the others stared at the destruction left behind, their hearts pounding in their chests. The battle was far from over.

Agnès eyes flickered with fear, but there was also something else—determination.

"What... What just happened? How did he vanish like that?" she asked, her voice shaky but resolute.

Van clenched his jaw, still on high alert. "I don't know. It's like he just evaporated into thin air. But he's still out there. Somewhere."

Kevin, looking around warily, seemed ready for another attack. "We need to find him before he strikes again. He could ambush us at any moment."

Bergard shook his head. "No, not tonight. He's retreated. Probably to one of his lairs to recover. But make no mistake, he'll be back."

Van nodded, but the tension didn't leave his body. "We can't wait for him to come to us. We have to find him first and put an end to this."

Feri, her hands trembling, stared down at the floor. "So this was the Nosferatu Roger warned me about... and we let him escape. What have we done?" Tears welled in her eyes. "What have I done? I didn't want this."

Van softened, placing a hand on her shoulder. "None of us could've known what kind of monster Kain truly is, Feri. It's not your fault."

Feri clenched her fists, anguish in her voice. "But I was the one who uncovered his coffin. If Roger and I hadn't taken that damned box from Nemeth Island..."

Van sighed, his gaze stern but not unkind. "What's done is done. We can't change the past. But we can stop Kain from hurting anyone else. We need to focus on that."

Feri looked up, her eyes searching his for reassurance. "What can we do now?"

Bergard chimed in, his tone thoughtful. "If Roger's truly turned, he might know Kain's plans. His current whereabouts too."

Van's eyes lit up with realization. "You're right, Bergard. If Roger's under Kain's control, he might hold the key to stopping him. But getting that information won't be easy."

Kevin's eyes narrowed. "If he's a fledgling vampire, we might have to put him down too."

Van winced at the thought but nodded. "If it comes to that... We may have no choice."

Bergard's voice was grave. "We must proceed with caution. Mark Miller was our vampire expert, and now he's gone. We're in uncharted territory."

Van's heart tightened at the mention of Mark's death, but he nodded. "Roger's not just a man anymore. He's dangerous, maybe as dangerous as Kain. We need to assume the worst."

Agnès stepped closer, her eyes filled with concern. "But how? We can't just storm the police station and start fighting vampires. What about the innocent people there?"

Van clenched his fists. "You're right. We need a plan—one that keeps innocent lives out of danger. We'll have to lure Roger out, somewhere secluded."

Kevin nodded grimly. "And we have to be prepared. If Roger's fully brainwashed, he might attack us on sight."

Van met his gaze, determination etched on his face. "We'll try to talk him down, but we have to be ready for anything."

Agnès hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Maybe... I should be the one to talk to him."

Van's concern was immediate. "Are you sure? That could be dangerous, Agnès. He might be completely under Kain's control."

She shook her head. "No, I don't think he'll harm me. I'm supposed to be Kain's queen, remember? As his servant, Roger would never risk upsetting him."

Van considered her words, though worry still lingered in his eyes. "It makes sense... But if anything goes wrong, we'll have to act fast."

Agnès nodded firmly. "I know. But if I'm the one to approach him, he might be less on guard. That's when you'll have the best chance to strike."

Van nodded, understanding. "Alright, that's the plan. Agnès will approach Roger, and we'll stay hidden. Once we have a clear shot, we move in. It's risky, but it might be our best chance."

The others agreed, and Van looked around at them, a fire in his eyes. "Let's move out. But stay sharp. We have no idea what we're walking into."

As they prepared to leave, the ominous silence that had fallen over the room was broken by a chilling realization that hung in the air.

Kain wasn't just toying with them. He was always two steps ahead, and the game had only just begun...