Harem Tournament of Champions

Outskirts of Radomir, underground entrance,

Vanas stands staring wide-eyed at what lies beyond the door. A massive room stretching further than the eye can see. Even though he knows how huge the cavern really is, it feels smaller because of the darkness surrounding them.

The vast dark space in front of them suddenly dims to reveal a bright light shining brightly within its depths. It wasn't too big nor did it seem very deep compared to other caves they'd seen during their travels through the mountains.

Vanas pulls on his cloak, taking a whiff of the air before curiously asking. "Where is this place?"

Hisha answers, "This cave leads underground beneath the city itself. There aren't many entrances leading outside except for the main entrance near the secret passageway."

They walk along silently following the path carved inside the rock walls till reaching another opening ahead.

Vanas looks down, skeptical about his next words, "b–brother Derek,"

Hisha raises a brow, looking to his side, and halts. "Any reason you called?"

Vanas takes another look at his brother, still in a state of disbelief but shook the thought off.

Instead, he goes for a more subtle approach, "how did you do it?"

"Excuse me?" Hisha questions confused by his question.

Seeing Derek frowning, Vanas continues speaking before Derek gets angry. "How are you able to withstand all those attacks against your body? You aren't meant to be alive."

'Well your brother is dead, I'm just here to haunt you.' Hisha snickers in his head.

Hisha stares blankly at Vanas, tired of the questions asked.

"I developed tough skin, it was originally meant to be mine." Hisha snaps and clicks his tongue.

His eyes were glued to the timer displayed above.

[45:00:00]

Walking into a grassy field surrounded by trees, they stop momentarily to catch their breath.

Hisha sighs deeply exhaling steam from his mouth. His hand reaches forward grabbing hold of one of the nearby tree branches pulling hard causing several leaves to fly away.

Looking around, he spots something familiar among the tall green plants swaying gently under the gentle breeze blowing past.

He walks towards where he saw the object only to find nothing there. Looking closer, he sees some sort of white flower growing amongst the rest.

Vanas' mouth gapes open in shock, immediately remembering when they had been attacked several centuries ago while traveling together. They came upon an area filled with these flowers as well.

Hisha looks over his shoulder with a growing smirk. He was sure the area made memories flood Vanas' thoughts once again.

Confident that his identity couldn't possibly get revealed anymore, Hisha decides to take advantage of the situation.

"Why are we here?" Vanas inquires as to why they're walking aimlessly across the fields instead of speaking about what had brought them to the underground tunnel.

[Are you going to use the contract?]

'Not yet, and I don't want it getting traced to my status. I would need to create an opening that would prompt him to report to me in two days.'

All the while, a disturbing grin had Vanas question if he had asked the right questions or not.

Sitting on the grass, Hisha gestured for Vanas to join him.

Reluctantly obliging, he sits beside his older sibling who places both hands behind his neck leaning backward.

After sitting quietly for a while, Hisha speaks up, "you know, if anyone finds out your misdeeds..."

Vanas was quick to interrupt, "what's wrong with forcefully taking matters into one's hands?"

Hisha smirks, knowing full well that Vanas wouldn't understand since he doesn't have any morals whatsoever.

However, he also knew that Vanas didn't realize exactly how much trouble could come from such actions and how it was currently benefiting him.

"You were frail and could die, yet father wanted to hand over the rule to you?! How dare he!" Vans yells angrily standing straight back upright and glaring daggers at his elder brother.

A small smile forms on Hisha's face seeing Vanas so passionate about defending his own honor. However, he quickly hides it after realizing that he shouldn't let his emotions show.

"Sit! Down!!" Hisha commands harshly, making Vanas flinch slightly.

Shaking his head, Vanas obeys his elder brother. Sitting down, he closes his eyes trying to calm his nerves.

It took quite some time until Vanas finally spoke up, "why did father wish to give control to someone so weak?!"

"You killed me when I was with a frail body unable to defend myself" Hisha points out calmly.

The memory flashes through Vanas mind, vividly reminding him of the time when he first had the decision to make.

Siadra had originally been betrothed to Derek at the time they had also fallen in love. Conniving to rid herself of the burden of a frail husband she decided to plot the death of her fiancé before the ceremony.

The moment when he stabbed his sword deep into Derek's chest, killing him instantly. It wasn't long afterward that he realized this new form of existence was far different than anything else he'd experienced thus far.

Siadra then went ahead and married him without hesitation.

The guilt consumed him like fire consuming everything within its path. It wasn't long till he lost sight of reality and accepted what he had done and made sure the truth was buried along with the rest in that household.

To create a mystery around him, he trained and honed his prodigious skills as a pure-blood vampire. The more powerful he became, the less guilty he felt inside.

Until now...

Derek was not too far from him, having risen from the dead and on a mission to ruin him.

"I had to, so I could survive," Vanas replies coldly staring off into space.

Seeing no response coming forth, Hisha continues talking, "it seems our family isn't very forgiving either considering all the times it was based on kill or be killed," he says sarcastically looking directly at Vanas.

His words cut deeply causing Vanas to look away feeling ashamed of their true meaning.

Judging from all that Hisha had seen, Vanas wasn't just a ruler whom the people adored and feared but he had gained the respect of all and had built on the little that was present at the time in Radomir.

"That was a good fight," Hisha comments, watching Vanas closely.

He knows there is something deeper hidden beneath those red orbs which stare blankly forward. Something darker still lies underneath the surface waiting to burst free.

"Yet I was at your mercy during most of the battle. You should've finished me off sooner rather than later." Vanas retorts bitterly remembering the pain caused due to being drained dry multiple times throughout the course of the duel.

'That's because I'm much stronger than you on a normal scale. Because of this disguise, my ability is greatly reduced.'

[Don't rub it in, host]

"Where's the fun in that?" Hisha questions rhetorically. He can see why Vanas chose to keep fighting even though he couldn't win anymore. There must be some sort of reason for doing so.

Vanas looks at his elder brother curiously wondering where this conversation will lead them next.

"Please, leave my territory. It's for the best that you don't show your face here again." Vanas requests politely hoping to avoid further conflict between both parties.

Hisha chuckles, satisfied to have humbled Vanas, all he hoped was that he could get an opening to get Vanas to reveal a bit of what he knew concerning his true self–the overlord.

*****

An hour later,

Walking out, Vanas looks back with a smile on his face. His heart feels lighter knowing that things are going well once more.

In his hand was a blood-red ruby that he shoved into his pocket.

Looking towards the sky, he sees the moon shining brightly above him illuminating the night skies. A soft breeze blows gently against his skin bringing relief to his tired muscles.

Turning his attention downwards, he notices two figures walking side-by-side heading toward him. It was Siadra and Sir Krans.

Running towards him with arms opened wide, Siadra embraces him tightly while kissing him passionately, then she pulls away smiling happily.

Whispering to his hearing alone. "I'm sorry for being a distraction to your duel."

Shaking his head, Vanas kisses her forehead lovingly. "No need to apologize beloved; we're together now after all!"

Sir Krans smiles warmly seeing how happy the couple looked. Turning to Vanas, he asks quietly, "Count Vanas, what about the rogue vampire?"