The Duke's Passion



839 A reference of the book of adventures

Vampires had different abilities, which they called gifts, or sometimes cursed. Their abilities were always been a double-edged sword; it could be harmful to them if they didn't handle it well. However, aside from that common fact, a vampire's ability had its variation and stages.

It was hard to guess a vampire's ability since most of them learned to hide the real nature of their abilities. Others, just like Zero, would go so far as to make his ability appear different from what it truly was.

Diversion had been a great war tactic. Therefore, one couldn't just fight with everything they have until they uncovered a vampire's ability's real nature.

For instance, Alphonse could occupy a person or an animal's body for as long as it was dead or almost on the brink of death. If Alphonse died inside that body, he could just easily hop to the next body that was available. However, the downside of that was that Alphonse's original body was vulnerable. If his body died, then Alphonse would also die.

It was the same for Zero. However, none of them knew the downside of his abilities. Yet. But what they were certain of was that Zero was a puppeteer. It was not necromancy and that... Alphonse was a hundred and ten percent certain of

"The Kraken was already old, residing deep in the ocean,' said Alphonse, keeping his eyes on the fierce battle between the legendary creature and Stefan. "The more you look at it, his attacks might be destructive and monstrous, but they're unnatural.

"Now that you mention it, you're right." Claude rocked his head in agreement. "Even its screams. sounded painful."

"Because it was in pain."

"Seriously. I don't have spare energy to get angry at Quentin anymore!" A deep exhale slipped

past Claude's nostrils, thinking that even a Kraken was being victimized and used by the twisted Zero. "Can you go there?"

"Pardon?"

"Down. Underwater: Alphonse slowly set his eyes on Claude. "I can go there, but I still have to get Stefan out of there. I need someone to cut the link."

Claude just looked at Alphonse's funny face in disbelief. Ile didn't know whether to laugh at the art plastered on Alphonse's face, which the latter had no idea of, or get offended.

"Just tell me you'd rather have me killed than sacrifice your life" Claude scoffed, shaking his head mildly. "Just don't make it sound like you got no other option than send your nephew to a death trap."

"Just say no."

"For what? To get indebted to you for saving my ass? No, thanks. I'd rather die than"

"..." Alphonse was lost for words, watching Claude take off unnecessary weight on him. The latter was still mumbling, dissing Alphonse.

If Alphonse did everything himself, Claude would complain. But since he asked Claude a favor, he was still complaining. Surely, this was enough to confuse Alphonse with where to stand. Yet, the corner of his lips curled up into a subtle smile.

'I thought even after being raised with that dramatic Klaus, Claude would be different, was what crossed Alphonse's mind. 'I guess Klaus's personality would still rub off of him!

"Is that all I needed to do?" Alphonse was brought back from his momentary trance when Claude spoke. "Don't space out. We have no time for that."

"Yes,"

"What do they look like, and where would I find them?"

"You'll know when you see them. They're like strings on top of its head." Alphonse threw the thoughts he had previously at the back of his head. "Be careful.'

Claude only snorted in response to his uncle, walking toward the edge of the ground. But just before he could jump into the water, he looked back at Alphonse.

"Don't stay in the ocean for too long. The Kraken might die once you cut the link and when that happens, it would naturally produce inks that are enough to paint the ocean black. It'll be hard to navigate your way out, considering the tentacles that would fall into the water right after," Alphonse briefed him, stressing each of his words, hoping Claude would listen.

"How the hell did you know all this?" Claude inquired out of pure curiosity. "You sound like you already fought a Kraken before."

"Samael." There was a tinge of embarrassment in Alphonse's tone when he answered Claude honestly. "Hell wrote it in his book of adventures."

"What the?"

"And I've read enough books about a Kraken," Alphonse backed up, throwing away the shame this question and answer brought. "Focus, Claude. Your life is on the line here. Take care.

Claude assessed Alphonse from head to toe before his eyes lingered on the latter's face. I lis lips curled up, biting his tongue to stop himself from laughing out loud.

"I am not joking, Claude" Alphonse's expression darkened as his voice sounded firmer. "This is not a laughing matter."

"I'm not laughing because you are giving me warnings based on books." Claude grinned mischievously. "I read the first book of Uncle Hell's book of adventures, and I know they were written based on his experience with a little bit of exaggeration. I am just not obsessed with his work, so I can only remember a part of it."

"I'm not saying it's bad or something I should laugh about, but it's just that you look funny," he added, pointing at Alphonse. "I really want to take you seriously, but your face just makes it a challenge."

Claude shook his head while laughing, trying to get a hold of himself. Ile stretched his arms, tilting his body from one side to the other.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I just won't look at you, but lest worse comes to worst, tell the Divine Order to scatter and cleanse this land of the undead. That's the reason I came here, after all." Claude didn't idle as he jumped almost immediately, diving into the ocean to do what he was told to do.

Meanwhile, Alphonse stood motionless on his spot, staring at the ripples where Claude jumped into. He assumed what Claude said was just a part of the latter's playful nature. Thus, he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he lifted his eyes, only to see that the knights were almost there.

יו.

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preparation for a spell he was about to execute.

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