"I really don’t think this is the time to be resting like this...the Vampires could make their move any day now, so-...," I began.

"You need to relax, little bro...you’ve been working way too hard lately without a break, you could use a day or two off," Argent interrupted me, as he handed me a joint.

"Yeah, but-..."

"Seriously, just relax and ease up. Satan and the others can handle your responsibilities just fine for a single day, plus the Dragon Kings headed out to look for the Earth Dragon King, if the Vampires do happen to make a move today, they’ll be able to alert us," He pointed out objectively.

"Fine, I guess you’ve got a point," I relented, before taking the joint.

I took a deep puff and slowly exhaled, a sense of tension leaving my shoulders as I relaxed. Okay, maybe I have been a bit overworked lately...a breather might do me good.

Today’s the 5th of Junius, 2021, about three weeks had passed since Aereeze joined Arcadia. Yesterday, Argent had approached me and insisted that I take a day off to relax, and I was currently hanging out with him, Ilex, Gior and Phyurio.

About a week ago, we got a report from Obsidian and the others nations that several people had suddenly disappeared. They were likely Vampire spies who withdrew from their posts once they noticed that the nations were trying to find them.

I’d been in contact with the rulers of the other nations since then, discussing possible measures we could take to defend ourselves against the Vampires and defeat them.

One of the options we discussed was to send spies to the Light Continent, but decided against it. After all, the other nations had already had spies in the Light Continent, before losing contact with them several months ago, meaning they were probably found by the Vampires and eliminated.

So we determined that sending spies would be too risky, and the Demons and Dragon Kings confirmed that it would be nearly impossible to infiltrate the Vampires, so-...

"Hey, come on, you need to relax. I can tell by your expression that you aren’t," Argent interrupted my train of thought with a sigh.

"Yeah, if you relax and refresh your mind today, you’ll be able to work a lot more efficiently afterwards," Added Ilex as he patted my shoulder.

"He’s right, you know. There’s not much you’ll be able to accomplish if you run yourself ragged," Remarked Gior.

"Yeah, man, let’s just chill and get baked," Grinned Phyurio, nodding at the joint.

Well, alright...I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to shut off my brain and just take it easy for today...

———————————————————————————

Point-of-View: Terrastra, The Earth Dragon King

———————————————————————————

I let out a yawn as I rolled across the ground in my cave, stretching my arms out. I wish I didn’t have to leave this place, but the stench of Vampire has been growing lately...I really hate those arrogant creatures.

Even though I’ve kept to myself for centuries, those things don’t abide any beings who don’t submit to their rule in their territory. And it seems like they’re taking over this land, so it’s only a matter of time before they come to try and drive me out.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed several of them passing by here, though based on their scent, they were Lesser Vampires, so they were easy to hide from. And even if they did find me, they’re no threat to me.

I really don’t want to leave, I’ve resided in this cave for over a century, but I’d rather not have to deal with-...hm? This scent...

I shrunk down to my Dragonoid form as I picked up an unpleasant scent outside the entrance of my cave...no doubt about, the potency of this stench, it’s an Elder Vampire. No...there’s two of them.

"What are you doing? It’s a dead end here."

"No, this section isn’t natural...look at the edges, the earth around this spot was put up by something, and I don’t sense any trace of Magic around it, so it wasn’t a human. Stand back..."

A deafening explosion rang out from the entrance of my cave, which I’d blocked off with a wall of earth. Rays of sunlight streamed in as the wall shattered to pieces, before two figures entered my cave...

"Looks like I was right! It’s been a long time, Earth Dragon King Terrastra," One of them greeted me with a smirk, a female Elder Vampire.

She had shortish black hair with the sides and back shaved off, purple lipstick, red eyes, and pale skin, along with the pointy ears that all Vampires had.

"Indeed it has, uh...you," I replied warily.

"Wha-...it’s Jevera! The Elder Vampire Jevera!" She exclaimed indignantly.

"Right, that’s what it was. And you...you’re the one known as Jagger, aren’t you?" I responded as I glanced at the other one.

He had dark green hair that was neatly combed back, red eyes, and pale skin, his expression devoid of emotion.

"You remember his name but not mine? You bitch...," Growled Jevera.

"Calm yourself, this isn’t something to get so riled up over," He replied in an indifferent tone.

"Your hostility is palpable, Jezera. I-...," I began.

"It’s Jevera! I literally just said it!"

"Right, my mistake. Back to what I was saying...I’ve noticed that you Vampires have taken over this land, so I take it you’ve come to tell me to leave? I’d prefer not to abandon this spot, but I have no intention of battling you, so I shall take my leave and-..."

"Oh, no, you’re quite mistaken. We aren’t here to drive you out, we’re here to kill you. But if you surrender without putting up a fight, I’ll give you a quick, painless death," She cut me off with a smirk.

"I see...very well, then, it seems I have no choice but to fight. I’ll warn you not to take me too lightly, Jagger, Javella."

"...you’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you? I’m going to enjoy tearing you apart..."

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