The news arrived quietly.
Not through panic, not through alarm bells or frantic messengers, but through careful divination and intercepted whispers carried by undead familiars and bound spirits. The Kingdom had succeeded in what many believed impossible.
They had carved out a stronghold inside Heinz's former territory.
A foothold blessed by the Goddess herself.
Aldrin listened in silence as Brago finished explaining the details. The summoner sat upon a carved stone chair deep within a cavern of ice and black rock, blue witchlight flickering across the walls. His expression did not change, though his fingers tightened slightly around the porcelain teacup in his hand.
"So they finally managed it," Aldrin said. "A safe zone."
"Yes," Brago replied. "It is crude but effective. A sanctified region anchored by relics and faith. It will not expand quickly, but it will endure."
Elsharion stood apart from them, towering and serene, his presence warping the air itself. The five star demigod of corruption regarded the situation with calm interest rather than concern.
"This does not surprise me," Elsharion said. "Mortals are persistent. Desperate ones more so."
Aldrin exhaled slowly. "Still. It means Zeke is closer than before."
"Closer, yes," Guiera said from her seat near the cavern wall. The dark elf swordsman had grown more accustomed to Aldrin's company in recent weeks. "But not close enough to threaten you directly."
"Yet," Castillo added. The human necromancer adjusted his gloves, his gaze thoughtful. "A stronghold means supply lines. Reinforcements. Time favors them now."
Aldrin nodded. "Which is why we move before they do."
That was when Heinz arrived.
The vampiric necromancer emerged from a veil of shadow, his crimson eyes glowing faintly beneath his hood. He bowed his head slightly toward Aldrin, a gesture that would have been unthinkable months ago.
"My King has agreed to meet," Heinz said. "Under conditions."
Elsharion turned his head.
"King," he repeated softly.
The cavern pressure shifted.
Heinz stiffened for a moment before recovering. "Yes. The Vampire King."
Elsharion stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Heinz. "You consider him my equal."
It was not a question.
Heinz swallowed. "In authority and in age. Yes."
Elsharion smiled faintly. "Good. Then I will speak with him as such."
The meeting took place within a grand hall carved from obsidian and ice, far beneath the frozen mountains. The Vampire King awaited them upon a throne of black crystal, his presence ancient and heavy. He rose as Elsharion entered.
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
Two powers regarded one another.
Neither bowed.
Neither postured.
Finally, the Vampire King spoke. "So you are the one summoned."
Elsharion inclined his head slightly. "And you are the ruler who waits."
The Vampire King gestured for them to sit. Aldrin remained standing, observing as Guiera and Castillo took positions at his side. Heinz stood behind his King, silent.
"I will not waste time," the Vampire King said. "I wish to meet any vampire summoned by you. Four star or higher."
"And why is that," Aldrin asked.
The Vampire King's gaze shifted to him. "Because you may be carrying the echoes of gods."
Elsharion nodded. "Three," he said. "There were three."
The Vampire King's eyes sharpened. "You know of them."
"Of course," Elsharion replied. "Lucasha. Morvain. Serethiel. The First. The three original vampires of this reality. Not creations. Not corrupted mortals. Primordial beings shaped by the same forces that shaped me."
Silence followed.
Guiera felt a chill crawl up her spine.
Castillo's breath caught.
Aldrin felt something stir within his summoning core.
"You believe," Aldrin said carefully, "that one of them could return through my summons."
"Yes," the Vampire King answered. "Not as they were. But as fragments. Echoes. Reborn through your system."
Elsharion folded his arms. "The likelihood is not insignificant. The system you wield does not discriminate by allegiance. Only by resonance."
The Vampire King nodded slowly. "Lucasha was my benefactor. My creator in all but name. If even a fragment of him returns, I will kneel."
Aldrin absorbed that quietly.
"I will honor the agreement," Aldrin said. "If I summon a vampire of that caliber, you will meet them."
"And protect you," the Vampire King replied. "No matter the cost."
The pact was sealed without ceremony.
When they departed, Aldrin felt no dread.
Only resolve.
-
The frozen mountains stretched endlessly beneath a pale sky.
Jagged peaks pierced the clouds like the bones of titans, their slopes buried beneath eternal ice. Winds howled through narrow passes, carrying the whispers of ancient beasts and long dead wars.
Aldrin stood at the highest ridge, cloak billowing behind him.
"This place feels right," he said.
Brago hovered beside him, arms crossed. "You have chosen your lair."
"My home," Aldrin corrected.
He looked out over the land and felt no guilt.
No shame.
"I do not feel like a villain," Aldrin said quietly. "Not yet. I am not slaughtering innocents. I am not marching on cities. I am reacting."
Guiera stepped closer. "You are building."
"Yes," Aldrin agreed. "And letting the Kingdom exhaust itself."
The stronghold existed. Zeke had made progress. But Aldrin was not rushing to meet him blade to blade.
Not now.
"Castillo," Aldrin said. "Guiera."
Both turned toward him.
"You will join Heinz."
Castillo inclined his head. "To reinforce the necromantic defenses."
"Yes," Aldrin replied. "Coordinate with him. Assist in creating layered zones. Traps. Attrition."
Guiera frowned slightly. "And me."
"You will command where needed," Aldrin said. "Your instincts are sharp. Heinz respects strength."
She nodded. "Understood."
Aldrin turned toward the assembled summons.
Skeleton infantry. Archers. Abominations. Minor spirits of darkness.
"You will go with them," Aldrin commanded. "All lower grade units. Establish presence. Delay. Bleed them."
The undead responded in perfect silence.
Firak remained at Aldrin's side.
The lesser spirits of darkness hovered near his shoulders, pulsing softly.
"You stay," Aldrin said to them. "You are mine."
The mountain wind howled.
Below them, forces moved. Kingdom banners advanced. Faith burned against undeath. The world churned toward conflict.
Aldrin watched it all with calm eyes.
"Let them think they are winning," he murmured. "I am not in a hurry."
Above him, dark clouds gathered.
Not from a storm.
But from destiny itself.