Multiverse: by Nick Venomz (best books to read for beginners .txt) 📕

“They didn’t protect the vampires?”

“Well, they tried. It's hard to protect the vampires when one of the largest kingdoms on the continent crashes upon you. Those smaller kingdoms were steamrolled through by Westlock and every vampire was killed. Now, they no longer exist.”

“No more vampires? What about half-vampires? Do they still exist?” She asked.

Jemma shook her head. “Unfortunately, anybody with a trace has been killed during the war or by hunters.”

Angelica heard the conversation, straining her ears to listen. I’m truly the last vampire left, right? What now? I’m the last of my race… Why? She stifled a silent sob, biting her lip.

“Why are vampires treated like that?”

Jemma shrugged her shoulders. “Because some old book said they should. Well… it’s mostly those who can’t read and the people in charge who don’t like them. Oh, and vampire hunters. The people who can’t read are influenced by the people in charge and the hate spreads. All very disgusting.” She explained. 

“Woah, you truly are a noble,” Darcy muttered.

“Was. I was a noble. Now I’m Jemma, an orphan kid.” She said, shaking her head playfully. “Anyway, it’s not like any of that matters anymore. It’s-” Jemma stopped as they heard a knock on the door. Darcy stood up first, walking towards the door. She looked through a makeshift peephole and saw a sister on the other side. She then opened the door, revealing Sister Marie on the other side.

“Greenfire is under lockdown. Everybody stays in their room unless told otherwise. Is that clear?” She asked. The girls, including Angelica, nodded. Angelica felt strangely comfortable with Sister Marie’s voice. “Good,” She started. “Do not leave your room for any reason. Lock the door as soon as you close it.” They nodded their heads again. “Have a good night, girls.”

“Good night, Sister.” The three girls said simultaneously. Angelica didn’t say it, caught off-guard by Sister Marie’s words. She never heard “good night” before.

Sister Marie glanced at Angelica before leaving. Darcy then closed the door, locking it. With it locked, she turned to face Jemma. “Why are we in lockdown?”

Jemma shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe a hunter broke in?” She joked. 

Angelica’s eyes widened. A hunter? Is he after me? What if he’s here to kill me…? Wait… Where’s Tasu? 

TBC…

“One of your men attacked my orphanage? Who was it and why?” Rachel demanded, slamming the desk in front of her. However, she didn’t own the table as it belonged to a man dressed in a half-cloak with several layers under it. The man was a tanned-skin human with a height of 6’2 and barely weighing 170. His body wasn’t pudgy, but well-defined. He was slim and muscular - which his career path needed from him.

Strapped to his back on a sling was a wooden crossbow with bits of metal fused together. He touched the weapon as he stared at Rachel, shooting her a threat. “Miss Rachel Howzer, is this how you act in front of your children?” He questioned. “Because it doesn’t look like how a principal should act. Especially if the principal is impatient and quick to anger like you are. Isn’t patience and kindness needed at your… orphanage?” He said with a smirk.

Rachel glared at him before retreating a few steps. “You attacked my children. One of your men shot one of them.”

“Did you see the man involved? Maybe it was another group or somebody rogue?” He asked.

Rachel scowled at him. “Last time I checked… Britain worked under you.”

It was time for the man to scowl. “Haha…” He sarcastically laughed. “That idiot.” He intertwined his fingers and placed them on the desk calmly. 

“So you do know him.” She raised an eyebrow. 

The man chuckled. “It appears I do. Well… According to his report, he’s chasing after a vampire tracked to your orphanage. Do you know about the vimp?”

Rachel shook her head. “There are no vampires in my orphanage, only innocent children. One of which was attacked by your man and another influenced mentally.”

“Where’s the evidence, Rachel? Can I see the medical records and get a psychological assessment report? Otherwise, you’re feeding me nonsense.” He told her.

“That's how you want to play?”

The man shook his head. “Nope… That’s how the Thorne Kingdom wants to play. Under their laws, we have the ability to capture and execute any vampires we found - as well as anybody harboring them. I hope that you aren’t harboring any, Rachel.”

Rachel spat on him before turning around. “I’ll make sure you experience the feeling of having one of your children wounded, but… I’ll go one step further. I’ll destroy your precious ‘Blood Trackers, a group of murderers and sinners. I’ll be back to deal with you… Mister Lyre Alt.”

Lyre grinned devilishly. “You sure you don’t want to stay… Maybe for a drink or two. It’s not like you could do anything else tonight.” He said before chuckling softly to himself.

What is he talking about? Why wouldn’t I… I don’t remember seeing a lot of people when I entered. Where did they go? They can’t be at the orphanage, right? This bastard! She glanced at him, baring her fangs. “If you touch one strand of hair on my children, I will kill you.”

“Feisty words coming from a woman of God.” He said. “Don’t worry, we don’t plan to harm the innocent children. Not sure how the vimp will fare though.” 

Rachel stomped out of the room before racing out of the building. The few guards that she encountered all snickered at her. They knew what was happening. The Blood Trackers had staged an attack on the orphanage, using the earlier attack to lure Rachel out. The orphanage was being sieged and she was nowhere to be seen. 

She hurried back, but it would take her a while to reach the orphanage.

***

Several tens of minutes later, Rachel arrived at the orphanage and found it being attacked by the Blood Trackers. Fortunately, before she left, the building was put under lockdown. However, the vampire hunters were destroying parts of the building with the intention of breaking in and attacking Angelica. 

Damn Lyre and his band of murderers! Rachel thought as she sprinted towards a nearby vampire hunter armed with a bow. The majority of vampire hunters used bows, crossbows, and knives. Only a rare few used prototype weapons like the flintlock pistol Britain used. 

She brandished a Mana Sword, this one black in color and getting the nickname of the Night Blade, and slashed at the nearest hunter. The hunter took several steps back, able to avoid the first strike. However, she pressed forward and managed to strike at him, cutting him horizontally. His body split in half and collapsed to the ground. 

“God will not forgive you.” She muttered to the corpse before continuing. She cut through several more before she encountered her match. A large man dressed in the same outfit as his brethren turned to face her, wielding a broadsword. 

“I stopped asking God for forgiveness a long time ago. The man remarked, having heard Rachel’s words to his dead comrades. 

“You’ll be begging for his mercy.” She remarked, glaring at him.

The man smirked before raising his broadsword. “Let’s see who begs first.”

***

“The front entrance is being attacked!” Sister Alecia shouted. Sister Aleshia appeared by her side, rushing to the front entrance and throwing out blind blasts of magic. None of them made contact, but it lessened the attack as the vampire hunters were hesitant to deal with magic users. 

“Good job, Sister Aleshia!” Sister Marie said. “Keep the hunters at bay as long as heavenly possible. Remember… God’s in our favor.” Sister Aleshia and the other sisters nodded. They continued to fight the hunters unleashing volleys after volleys of arrows and bolts. The attacks pierced the doors and parts of the wall, but it was never followed up by a head-on charge. The hunters kept their distance and dug in for a siege. They continued to unleash attacks, but those attacks lessened with time. The magic Sister Aleshia and some of the other sisters unleashed to enforce the building prevented any further damage. Realizing this, Britain, who was leading the assault, ordered for their aces to be used; Bloodhounds - wolves bred to hunt vampires. These ferocious black-fur wolves had extra sharp teeth, a well-defined sense of smell, and longer than normal legs. They were killing machines. 

“Get the aces moving!” Britain ordered from behind them. “Let’s end this quick!” He said. Hurry up, kid. The officers will arrive soon. He thought to himself as he watched his men release their aces onto the battlefield. The Bloodhounds sprinted forward at great speed, smacking head-first into the entrances. They didn’t break the doors down in one hit, but their constant pummels at the weak wooden doors would do the job soon.

Aleshia, meanwhile, had spent over a half-hour bouncing from entrance to entrance, enforcing them all with magic. However, she couldn’t be everywhere, and eventually, her mana ran out. With her mana gone, she felt sluggish and tired. She couldn’t be of help any more, allowing the Bloodhounds to smash the doors in and sprint inside with ease. 

With the Bloodhounds inside, the sisters faced them but most weren’t able to do much. The majority of sisters in the orphanage weren’t trained on how to fight. The Bloodhounds were able to push through the first floor with ease, overwhelming the sisters but not killing any of them strangely.

Although they broke through, they were few in numbers and Sister Marie stood in their way. She brandished her Emerald Blade, facing them. The Bloodhounds charged towards her, the first few being wounded or killed instantly. However, their quick speed allowed a few to whiz past her and approach Angelica’s dorm with ease. 

Sister Marie did her best to stop the Bloodhounds, but she quickly found herself caught in a siege by two Bloodhounds that worked together to attack her. The other Bloodhounds went past her and upstairs. All of the Bloodhounds were attracted to Angelica’s smell, picking it up instantly. 

Sister Marie, noticing where they were going, barked “Protect the children! Protect Dorm 5B!” At the other sisters. Unfortunately, many had been overwhelmed and the ones left were exhausted or not quick enough.

Meanwhile, Angelica and the other girls stared at their door, hearing the screams and cries of the sisters around them. They heard the growls of the Bloodhounds nearing them, every second getting closer and closer. The Bloodhounds were speeding through the hallways, following Angelica’s scent. 

Angelica looked away from the door, hiding under her covers. They’re here for me! They’re here for ME! THEY’RE HERE FOR ME! She shouted internally. The growls and snaps of the Bloodhounds stopped at their door. 

Jemma glanced at the other girls. Darcy raised both eyebrows, staring at Jemma for help. Angelica was under her covers and Maya was frozen stiff. She looked away from the girls, not moving a muscle. She hoped that the Bloodhounds would pass them up and everything would be normal. Her hopes were dashed almost immediately as the Bloodhounds began throwing themselves at the door, which hadn’t been enforced by magic. The cracks the Bloodhounds created quickly widened as they dealt more damage. 

Everybody except for Angelica screamed as the Bloodhounds wrestled themselves into the room. They broke the door down and entered, sniffing