Darkova was drowned in thick fog when their feet touched solid ground. A vehicle waited for them at the port's entrance… not an ordinary carriage, but one of the land-based Hexarith transports. It was massive… its frame a dark metal tinged with deep blue, and its windows curved like softened glass.
At its front, a circular Azurite engine pulsed with rhythmic blue light. Its four wheels were three times wider than normal carriage wheels, releasing thin white steam whenever they turned.
Ann murmured:
"…Oh my… is that…?"
Mabushi answered with his arms crossed:
"A royal-class Hexarith. You rarely see one outside a palace."
The five boarded the Hexarith. Inside was nothing like they expected… the first thing that caught their eyes was the soft blue glow filling the space. Dozens of small crystals were fixed along the walls and corners, each one is pulsing gently like a living heartbeat, casting smooth light over the dark leather seats.
The seats were wide, made of deep blue leather, decorated with golden metal buttons. The walls were engraved with delicate patterns, and the ceiling held hanging Azurite lamps shaped like crystal orbs.
The carriage suddenly lurched forward, just enough to make Akio jump and grab the edge of his seat.
He shouted:
"H-Hey?! Who—?!"
Ann practically leapt off her seat, looking around in childish panic:
"Wait! Where's the driver?! Why is it moving on its own?!"
Mabushi chuckled, leaning back:
"I guess the end of the world has arrived… even carriages drive themselves now."
Silvara finally clarified:
"Don't panic. Royal-class Hexariths have partial awareness. They're not truly alive… but not completely inanimate either."
Akio's eyes widened:
"Awareness?! You mean… it can think?"
She replied:
"It senses roads, chooses directions, and avoids danger. Think of it like a trained creature… made of metal and Azurite tied to the Vakin."
She pointed at the crystals along the walls:
"These are linked to the main Azurite core at the front. Each light is a pulse. As long as the pulses stay steady, the carriage moves safely."
Ann placed a hand over her chest, breathing slowly:
"I almost screamed…"
Akio smirked:
"Almost? You screamed three times in one minute."
A few minutes later… the Hexarith carriage halted at the capital's entrance, and the blue light in the crystals dimmed. The rear door opened slowly, and the five stepped out.
Silvara wiped fog from the window and said:
"Looks like we'll have to walk the rest of the capital."
Ken stepped out quietly, observing the gothic houses around them.
Akio was last to leave, tightening his jacket and staring wide-eyed at everything:
"I'm not sleeping outside. Let's find a hotel. Now."
After twenty minutes wandering narrow alleys and black-stone facades… they finally found a small hotel. The sign above the wooden door read: Black Dew Inn.
Ken pushed the door open with a long creak, and they entered a narrow hallway smelling of wood and damp air. The owner greeted them and handed over only two keys.
He said flatly:
"We have two rooms. No more."
Ann raised her brows:
"Only two?"
The man replied:
"If you want to sleep, take them. If not… the street is open."
Ann sighed. Ken took the keys without arguing.
They split up:
• Room one: Ann and Silvara.
• Room two: Ken, Mabushi, and Akio.
They climbed the wooden stairs, each step groaning. Ann and Silvara entered their room. It was small, with two wooden beds and a window facing the street.
Ann dropped her bag onto the bed:
"It'll do… at least we found shelter."
Silvara answered calmly:
"It's safe… relatively."
The second room was even smaller, with a double bed and a third one on the edge of breaking.
Mabushi pushed the door open with his foot:
"Who's sleeping here? This bed's dying."
Akio immediately:
"Not me!"
Ken ignored them, placing his bag in the corner:
"Sleep wherever you want. We won't be here long."
They stored their belongings and wrapped their weapons, then filtered out one by one. Ann and Silvara appeared first in the hallway. Akio followed, buttoning his shirt. Mabushi came out tightening his wrist strap, and Ken stepped out lighting a new cigarette.
They gathered in the narrow corridor.
Ann said:
"Let's eat something… before I die of hunger."
Silvara nodded:
"There's a small restaurant below."
They headed down to the inn's restaurant. Ken ordered a cup of dark black tea, lifted it quietly, and took a slow sip. Ann sat across from him, devouring her soup, while Mabushi tore into a piece of stale bread. Akio, however, had a strange-colored roasted meat dish in front of him. He took a huge bite immediately, then froze.
His hair stood on end. His right eye widened. Then he screamed:
"Ehhhh— Wait— Wait— This taste… it's weird—!!"
Ann kept eating, raising a brow:
"What now?"
Akio shouted, loud enough to shake the room:
"Aaaaah!!! This isn't normal meat!! Darkova is a nation of cannibals!! I'm dead!!"
His fork fell as he clutched his stomach like he was being poisoned.
Ken looked at the plate, then said coldly:
"It's venison. Stop acting like a child."
Akio stopped mid-scream. Looked at the plate. Then at Ken.
"Venison?! Since when is deer… edible?!"
Ann covered her face:
"Deer is the most popular dish in Darkova, genius."
Akio, horrified:
"That's disgusting! I want… I want soufflé! Or something humans eat!"
Mabushi laughed:
"If you don't like it, eat the garnish. Maybe that's the human part."
Akio:
"Stop!!!"
Silvara watched the scene in silence, then said:
"Don't worry, Akio. Venison is rich in proteins. It'll make you stronger."
Akio stared at her with teary eyes:
"That's… not comforting. At all."
And so… their first day in Darkova ended with a cramped room, suspicious food, and muffled laughter.
Midnight approached in Terracula's palace. In one of its halls, Akira walked lazily, arms stretched above him as he let out a long yawn.
He muttered, half-asleep:
"Ahhh… finally… bed. I'll collapse if I don't sleep…"
He headed toward his wing, but stopped when Terracula's voice called:
"Akira… before you go."
He snapped to attention instantly, spine straightening as though he hadn't been half-asleep seconds ago.
"Yes… my lady?"
Terracula stepped closer, raised a finger lightly as if requesting something simple… though her request was anything but simple.
"I want something for breakfast tomorrow…"
A faint glint flashed across her fangs before she finished:
"I want a human child this time. The young ones… their blood tastes better, and the flavor lingers longer."
Akira nodded with fierce enthusiasm:
"As you wish… Lady Terracula. I'll bring you the finest child in Darkova."
He bowed and sprinted away, feet moving with wolfish speed.
Terracula whispered as he vanished:
"Don't be late… fresh blood tastes best."
Akira disappeared into the darkness, his tail the last thing to fade behind the corner. In his right hand, he carried a rough rope he often used to bind his victims. He moved through Darkova's shadowed streets with quiet steps, then stopped to scan the alleys and wooden houses. Windows were tightly shut, doors chained.
Nothing unusual. Everyone in Darkova knew the Crimson Duchess always wanted blood… and that any child wandering outside past midnight was signing their own death.
He stopped before a small wooden house, its walls faded, a faint light slipping from a crack beneath the door.
Akira approached. Through the window… he saw a small boy, not older than seven, messy black hair spread over his pillow. He slept curled up under a tattered blanket, his tiny chest rising and falling steadily. He didn't know the monster from his mother's stories stood just beyond the wall.
Akira stared for a long time… but not as he usually did. Not as a predator evaluating prey. Something else flickered there… a strange hesitation.
'Terracula had ordered many things of him before: hunts, killings, blood. But a child?'
His crimson eyes narrowed, his tail lifting slowly as he murmured inside:
'A child…? Did you go too far this time, my lady?'
A sharp, uncomfortable pressure pricked between his ribs… a mix of reluctance and unease. Still… he had no choice.
'I owe her everything. My life came from beneath her feet. I have no luxury to refuse.'
He looked again at the sleeping child… then released a slow breath. He stepped back, then leapt like a werewolf. He landed above the window, lifted his arm, then shattered the glass with a violent crash that sliced through the quiet village.
The boy's eyes snapped open, golden and trembling with fear, staring into the shadow filling the room. He didn't understand. He couldn't even scream. All he saw was a clawed hand reaching toward him with inhuman speed. Akira grabbed him instantly.
The boy choked out:
"N-No…! Mom…! Moooo—!"
Akira didn't let him finish. He wrapped the rough rope around the small body with swift, practiced movements. As the boy struggled, Akira tightened his grip and said, low and harsh:
"Don't resist."
The boy looked up at him with shaking, confused eyes, tears spilling. Akira didn't meet his gaze. He reached into his pocket, pulled out tape, and pressed it firmly over the child's mouth, lowering his head slightly so he wouldn't have to look at the tears.
He hoisted the child over his shoulder and muttered to himself in a flat tone:
"It's done. My lady is waiting."