4 Chapter 4: the Revelations of Iris Cadohagan

When one falls under the effects of a Major Tranquilizer drug, the individual will experience under than a temporary physical disable, is a great reduction of activity in their brain which will remove the feelings of anxiety, fear, tension, agitation that the person is blighted by. For the Vampire Witch, Iris Cadohagan, the darts that punctured her snow-white skin had what she would describe as the very first feeling of relief in all her long living life. The countless hours, painful studies and grueling experimentations felt like they had all melted away and in just her little bubble, she could feel absolute freedom of thought.

"So, this is what bliss feels like?" Iris spoke to herself inside her mind.

It was absolute darkness and the only things she can feel in her catatonic state except for the hearing of her own heartbeat that was softly being heard and the feeling of being submerged in a set of thoughts. Yet for Iris, her own memories were only filled with nothing but failure and sleepless nights in her study. Whenever she tried to reexperience such memories, she was struck with great shock that hurt her mental conditions and her mind suffered like an animal whose foot was caught in a leg trap.

With her memories practically off limits for her to think about she was there again swimming inside her mind. At first, Iris didn't mind but the nothingness of her brain soon got over her as she eventually got bored being idle within her mind.

She began to swim through her memories searching for something to keep her stimulated. Then she came upon the memories she siphoned from that 'Nightman' that she performed the Rite of the Blooded Mind on.

At first, she hesitated due to the last time she had done the Rite, she suffered an epileptic shock that nearly killed her. The many memories, knowledge that the 'Nightman' has stored was so much to bear for Iris. At first, she thought that the 'Nightman' was some out of the ordinary adventurer far away from his homeland (wherever it is) in search of riches. Then after a brief demonstration of some fire magics from him, did she think that the man was some sort of wandering mage. But after Iris bit him and drained his blood did she saw images that she couldn't comprehend. They all came so fast yet the memories were as clear as spring water to her that she was lucky she could handle the mental shock of them all. There were numbers, symbols, geometries, shapes, and theories that all sounded she could understand but for some reason could never grasp.

"Perhaps I went through them too fast. Maybe I should take it slower." Iris reasoned.

She focused her mind to reenter the memories of the 'Nightman' but took care not to overdo herself less what had happened earlier occur again.

She closed her eyes…

The first thing Iris sensed was the sound of soft chirping birds in ambivalent background, then the sound of horns and the footsteps of people that sounded so near to her. She then opened her eyes to a bright blinding light followed by the sights of the said sources of the footsteps. She was surrounded by dozens of people who walked passed while inside an urbanized environment that she can't recognize yet feel so familiar. Many of fashionwear didn't fit the description of any Gliesia's nations. She noticed some people wore black coats with a neck wear that dips down to the length of their torso's. Another group of people wore colorful clothing that would not be out of place of a traveling troupe entertainers, and they even have to outlandish hair to complement their clothes. The buildings she was surrounded by titan above her. Their height could even match the Slaegia's Palace District in Harinpoint and the Elven Spires of their ethereal continent, and they were virtually everywhere as far as the eyes could see and perhaps even beyond the eye's vision too. The buildings were all covered head to toe with glass panes that reflects all images that passed by her.

Iris peeked at the mirrors and observed herself. Her reflection was the image of a tall black skinned man in a blue long-sleeved shirt. She must be experiencing Kayin 'the Nightman's' Memories again. This time however, she doesn't feel a slowly growing mental knife being punctured into her brain so her 'taking it slow' approach must be working. Whatever she is in, she has stumbled herself into another world although it's only virtual in nature but memories do not lie.

She began to walk forward experiencing the memory before her. She can see what looks like vendors selling food in the streets, some of them look liked sausages that were placed in a loaf of bread that was sliced in the middle to allow room for the sausage to fit in between. She passed by strange metal carriages that move without horses that Iris couldn't understand how it can even operate without them? Was it perhaps magic? Were people in this city all powerful mages? It's more practical to walk than to magically lift yourself to move around.

She turned her head to the buildings next to her, the glass windows revealed a trove of exotic treasures being sold to the public. Iris could make out the merchandise are jewelry, delicious foods, perfumes, furniture that this world offered. Some were styled over familiar designs with intricate patterns similar to the fashions back in Gliesia, others however were of a more minimalistic approach with singular colors and blocky shapes. Continuing to window-shop, Iris then came across a window that displayed women's clothes of Formal flavorings. There were gowns, blouses and dresses that sparked Iris eyes with much desire. The Vampire Witch eyed a stylish purple dress that was the centerpiece of the collection and imagined herself wearing it.

"I could be the talk of the Tyr Rian Annual Ball with that dress. It would make even Princess Aria and those snooty Slaegian Nobles jealous." She thought, she could imagine herself twirling around the Tyr Rian Annual Ball held nearby from her forest home in the Purple Dress. It was so one of a kind that no tailor in Gliesia can hope to fabricate.

"No tailor…in Gliesia…" Iris soon began to realize to her amazement and horror.

The strange black metal magic rods that struck her, the city, the culture, the numbers, symbols, they began to slowly make sense. These 'Humans' aren't from Gliesia let alone some far off nation. Then where did they come from.

"In our next piece of news today in Good Morning America…" Said a voice from next door.

Walking over to the next set of windows she noticed that crowd of people were staring at whatever the windows had in display. Examining them, she noticed that the people were looking at a set of what she can only describe as Magic Mirrors. There was a person in a well pressed coat being displayed on the screen. Additionally, there where was several smaller screens that were being displayed inside the bigger screen that showed images and words. Thanks to her acquired knowledge of these new 'Humans' she can read the text on the Magic Mirror:

"New Habitable Planet Found: Called Benham-3" the text said.

"The United Earth Federation's Bureau of Colonial Affairs is now seeking applicants for a new colony to be built on the planet." The man on the Magic Mirror just said.

That person then leaned his head to his hand as if he was listening to an inaudible voice. The man seemed to be listening intently to what ever being was speaking to him, then his eyes widened in surprise.

"This just in, for folks who are listening from New York. Check out your window and see the brand-new Colony Ship the Eodem perform a routine test flight. The ship will be used for the colonization efforts of Benham-3."

The crowd watching the Magic Mirrors dispersed to look up into the sky in search of the Eodem.

"A Ship that can fly? What kind of boat can even do that?" Iris asked herself.

"Look up in the sky! There it is!" said one of the people.

The crowd began to cheer as a slow thundering sound began to form. Iris turned her head skywards to see that her eyes were shadowed by a great object that blocked the sun. Refocusing her vision, she noticed that it was a large wingless object that floated above the city and to her amazement it had the name 'the Eodem' written on its surface. The crowd cheered as the flying ship floated above the cityscape.

"What new discovery across the stars will she and her brave pioneers and crew will find? Perhaps you can be one of them. Sign up and explored Outer Space and the heavens beyond today at the UFE Colonial Affairs Bureau website today." Said the Magic Mirror.

'Across the stars? Giant Flying Boats? Exploring the heavens? Have I attacked Gods?' Iris mind flooded with more eldritch questions.

She had more answers but now even more questions that are harder than the last. Who were these Humans? Are they the Gliesian Pantheons of Gods from all of her world's races now descending upon their world? Are they demons coming to conquer their planet? What and who are these people she has seen?

Iris began to collapse on the concrete floor of the city laughing hysterically before slowly screaming in terror

---------------------------------(Back in the Real World)---------------------------------------

"NNNOOO!!!" Iris yelled as she opened her eyes and quickly rise up. Yet she recoiled back to the soft cushioning of a bed.

She looked at her own body and noticed that her arms and her waist were restrained by belts. Normally if a Vampire who is caught in this predicament would most likely be locked in some prison by Vampire Hunters where the unlucky Vampire would be tortured for information. The very thought of that angered Iris as she struggled to break free from her bonds.

"Let me go this instant!" Iris growled

"Ah! You scared me!" Said a soft voice.

"Who is there? Show yourself." She said.

A woman in a white gown rose up from beneath the ground and scratched her head. The woman's skin was pale as Iris and her hair was as black as night just like the Vampire Witch.

"Who are you? What have you done to me? Let me go!" Iris roared.

"Please calm down… uhm miss. I am not here to hurt you." The pale woman said.

But Iris continued to struggle.

"How can I trust you? Maybe you are a Vampire Hunter coming to torture the secrets out of me?" Iris said.

"I am not a Torturer. That's against my Hippocratic Oath and I am here to study you." The woman said.

"Study me? Well get your knives and holy water out and cut me up! I will tell you nothing." She defiantly pouted.

"Please miss, I won't even dream of doing that to you. Miss… uhm… tell me your name. You do have a name Miss Vampire?" The woman asked.

Iris mind was pierced by that question. The pale woman asked for HER name. If she was a Vampire Hunter she wouldn't even bother to ask that question as they often dehumanize the Vampires as nothing more as deceitful monsters who must be driven to extinction. So, for a moment, Iris calmed down and lowered her guard.

"Iris, Iris Cadohagan. What is your name?" She replied then followed it up by a question.

The pale woman softly walked towards Iris and sat next to her by the left side of the bed.

"I am Doctor Haneul. But you can call me Hana if you want." She said.

"Hana that is a… beautiful sounding name." Iris responded.

"Iris too sounds beautiful too. So… Miss Cadohagan or if you want I can call you just Iris if it makes you feel more comfortable if we skip the formalities. So, tell me about yourself Iris." Hana interrogated.

Iris sighed in relief, this questioning was nothing like the horror stories that the sparse survivors and escapees of the Vampire Hunters would have entailed. But she is still bounded by the bed so for now she will indulge Hana with the pleasure of talking to her if it means buying her time to formulate a means of escape from wherever she is.

"Well, I assume you know by now I am a Vampire." Iris began confessions

"I know that already Iris. Now I want to know from the reports that you were shooting out 'Magic' from your hands at a Private First Class Kayin Mudwin. Does he ring a bell? Big tall man with black skin?"

"Yes, the 'Nightman' I bit. There's something I have learned from him…" Iris answered, she paused while recollect the memories she had seen from his mid.

"Before we talk about PFC. Mudwin first I want to know from you how you can perform this 'Magic' that the soldiers have seen you do." Hana pressed.

"Well how should I start this? I mean you are asking me how Magic works? Well we draw out our powers from the earth through these crystals that provide a rich source of power called 'Tur'ambal' from the Elven words of 'Magic Crystals' who first discovered them. It is said that the crystals that are deep within earth can allow one to harness the magical powers into 5 types. There is Destruction, Restoration, Conjuration, Altercation and Illusion. Some people can wield magic better than others and whilst others are more specialized in a type of magic. As I assume you have known Miss… I mean Hana, I have demonstrated to Kayin my powers in Destruction Magic." Iris answered.

"Interesting, so what kind of Mage are you?" Hana continued.

"I am proficient in Destruction Magic that's a start. I have begun to practice Conjuration but on the field of Summoning monsters and the undead but I find that unappealing since I am more of a 'Hands-On' person. I am also an adept Arcane-Crafter of Destruction-Based Magic." Iris answered.

"Arcane-Crafter? What is that?" Hana asked.

"Well, I can basically give magical effects to items. Most of the people who practice Arcane Crafts live in the cities where they perform more practical and harmless enchantments like 'Nourishment', 'Metal Hardening' and 'Fortify Magic Siphoning'. I practice more destructive enchantments like 'Fire Explosion', 'Poison Cloud' and 'Blizzard' which has been under scrutiny my the Slaegian Empire for decades." Iris said.

"Why under such scrutiny by these 'Slaegian Empire' people?"

"Well, the Slaegian Empire, the Liege of the Principality of Tyr Rian where I live in the Verden Valley Forest has been cracking down on people who can perform Destructive Based Spells and Arcane-Crafts for over decades due to the rise of magical insurgent attacks by bandits and Northmen." Iris said with disdain.

"That sounds reasonable to me. I do not like the sound of those 'destructive enchantments' you have told me about. You do look upset about it. Why is that?" Hana asked.

Iris sighed then bit her lip. She had looked like she is hesitant to say her next words.

"The intended target of the Destruction Magic ban was my kind the Vampires. We are hated and feared from all over the continent due to our powers and long history with the Humans. I am surprised you are so unaware of all of this? What part of Gliesia are you from that is so isolated from the rest of the world?" Iris asked a question to Hana now reversing the tables.

"To tell you the truth Iris we are not from this world at all. We come from a far away planet from the sky and travelled here to this planet that we call Benham Three. I assume that Gliesia is what you call this planet am I correct?" Hana replied.

In the first time in her long life, Iris felt humiliated. She has seen

"Yes, I guess. If you are from the Skies are you Gods? They say that people who come from the Sky are Gods." Iris asked with an eager tone. Her eyes widened in excitement and fear as she leaned forward and stared at Doctor Hana intently.

"No, the United Federation of Earth are not Gods. We are just like normal humans. Although I believe you think we are because of Clarke's Third Law." Hana said.

"Clarke's Third Law?"

"It quotes 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'. According to the reports Stryder Group made when they came back, Kayin threw several packs of Thermite charges at you. Thermite by the way produces fire. So, by your logic, you think Kayin is a Fire Mage or something like that?" Hana hypothesized.

"Yes, though I find it strange that when he threw those spells at me. I didn't sense any Magical Energies within him or those Thermite Spells." Iris remembered, her observations of her Nightman Adversary was a curiosity to her.

"Thermite is not Magic Iris. It's a compound that burns. Although its best you talk to an Engineer like Kayin for a question like that because I am a doctor not a soldier." Hana said. She struggled to continue smiling after explaining her limited knowledge of military hardware to the Vampire.

"May I ask Kayin to be her right now?" Iris asked.

"The man who you attacked his team and bit? Why? I doubt he would even agree to even her about you after what you did to him? Perhaps I can get maybe Sargent Kincaid or Doctor Shimazaki to…" Hana said but was interrupted by Iris.

"No, I need him. I need him to explain these numbers and symbols in my head?" Iris said. Just thinking about the eldritch images caused her to get a headache from the sheer confusion it brought to her.

Hana was astonished by Iris' reasons of asking for Kayin. When she mentioned about numbers and symbols in her head she knew that something is seriously was wrong with her. She leaned forward closer to Iris and pressed for more information.

"What are these things you have in your mind right now? Why ask for PFC Mudwin specifically?" Hana asked.

"When I bit him, I did something more to him. I also 'bit' through his mind and began to siphon then examine his memories and thoughts. Originally, I wanted to know what his Magical Knowledge was but instead I saw his memories that included great flying boats that titans over buildings, giant skyscraping towers made of glass, Magic Mirrors with people and words moving around then these numbers and symbols. They all make so much sense yet I just can't grasp it." Iris said.

Hana was understandably shocked by what Iris just told her.

This 'soft headed' approach to interrogating such fantastically hostile creature was indeed paying off, the revelation of what 'the Vampire Witch' is capable of has both terrified of her and fascinated of her. This vampire was able to 'siphon the memories and thoughts' of Kayin? She has thought that perhaps these 'numbers and symbols' that Iris has described that she was getting confused by were in fact Scientific Symbols and Math Formulas. That would explain why she said that 'it made sense but unable to grasp it'. She wasn't expecting much from such a primitive native of this 'Fantasy World' of Benham-3 or also known by the natives as Gliesia, however the amount of scholarly capacity that Iris knows about her respective field is something that can be useful for the Colony in being able to survive under these New World conditions.

"I will get Kayin and see if it will be okay if he can entertain your questions but I don't have any guarantees that he would agree to come. Stay here Miss Iris and don't try anything. There are guards outside this room right now and I would hate to see you hurt after what we have accomplished so far." Hana said in a reassuring voice. She stood up from the bed and began to collect her notes and placed them in a bag on a nearby desk.

"Are you sure you will come back to me Doctor?" Iris asked.

"Just give me awhile to sort through these notes and I will get back to you before you know it." Hana smiled.

The Korean Doctor walked out of the room but before she exited she showed a reassuring smile to the Vampire which the captive Iris was comforted to see.

After getting outside of the room, Hana sighed then pressed her hidden Earpiece by her right ear and called out to her contact from the other side of the device:

"You have heard all of that Governor White?" Hana said.

"Yes, we heard and saw everything. The plot thickens Doctor. It is a good call having you doing the interrogation of the Vampire Doctor Haneul. What could have taken days was accomplished in about thirty minutes from you." Governor Jeremy White answered from the earpiece.

"Right now, we have Iris' trust right now and its best we capitalize on it. Get me Private First Class Mudwin to report to the Medical Bay as soon as he can." Hana said.

"I don't know if he will agree to it after fighting her. But I will call Lieutenant Rose now and try to persuade her to send out Mudwin." The Governor replied.

-------------------------------------(30 Minutes Later)---------------------------------

After what had seemed to be the longest and most tense moment of Iris' life, the door to her room opened. The first entrant was Dr. Lee Haneul who stride quietly towards her and sat down. Then a large man in the same garments that Iris remembered seeing the UFE wore when they invaded her home. By the sight of the man's left breast she noticed that the name tag there is stated to be 'Mudwin'. However, Kayin was wearing several peculiar accessories compared to what the Vampire remembered seeing him. He wore 2 different sets of neckwear, a wooden crucifix and a braid of garlic. By his hands he held in his left a mirror and a wooden stake on his right. Iris grinned her teeth at Kayin as she laughed that this man thinks that these mundane items, Crucifix aside, can even remotely harm her.

"I don't think you can harm me with those Nightman." Iris mockingly teased.

"That's exactly what a Vampire begging for her life would say. Are you just going to just keep calling me that? 'Nightman'?" Kayin frowned.

"Private, Iris, please settle down." Hana mediated.

The two stilled their emotions and calmly rested themselves. Kayin however was still under tension as he stared daggers at Iris, ready to pounce at her in case she tries to make a move.

"Now we are gathered here today because Iris has been shown to be cooperating with our interrogations after she had been det-- I mean after she checked in to our medical bay. And Iris would like to ask a few you question for you Private First Class Mudwin." Iris said.

"What kind of questions? Why do you want to know?" Kayin asked.

"While I bit you 'NIghtman' during the first time we met, I did a bit of a… let's say a ritual that allows me to collect your memories while I drank you blood."

Kayin stood up with his eyes widened in shock. Then his face painted with anger as he cruelly pointed his finger at Iris.

"You looked into my memories? What did you see? You cannot know what I know!" Kayin yelled.

"Please, these symbols, numbers, and images in my head? I must know!" Iris pleaded.

"Like I will every tell you! This conversation is over!" Kayin angrily stood up and proceeded to storm out of the room.

"No! Kayin we just barely begun." Hana begged but the Nigerian ignored her.

Iris simply couldn't lose this opportunity to find the answers that plagued her mind. She was at the verge of breaking down in a panicked cry as she tried to find a way to keep Kayin from leaving her in the void of ignorance.

"May I at least ask you about 'Maafe'?" Iris said.

Kayin paused as he was about to turn the knob of the door as his ears heard the word of 'Maafe' coming from the Vampire.

"And what do you know about it?" Kayin softly spoke in a stark contrast to his tone a few moments ago.

"You were serve this brown soup called 'Maafe' during your Tenth Birthday. May I at least know what exactly it is?" Iris asked. Her words seemed to be able to pierce through the Nigerian's tough exterior as the man loosened his posture and began to breathe slowly.

"It is my favorite dish back when I still lived in the US. My mom used to cook that for me." Kayin said.

"Your favorite? It actually tastes quite good." Iris said, now calmed to see that the Nigerian is now more sociable.

"Alright, I will entertain some questions for awhile Vampire."

Kayin walked back inside the room and then sat down next to Iris' left side. Now with the answer right in front of her, Iris readied herself for the questions she will ask and the revelations will she obtain.

"So, what do you want to ask me Vampire?" Kayin asked.

"My name is Iris, not Vampire." Iris objected.

"Says the woman who calls me 'Nightman'. And I am the only racist in this room?" Kayin rebutted.

"Fine, Kayin Mudwin… what are these symbols and numbers in my head?" Iris asked.

"Well you got to be more specific on what kind of stuff your seeing in your brain of yours." Kayin sternly scolded.

"I can draw it." Iris said.

"Oh, here you go." Dr. Hana said. She turned the papers on her clipboard over and passed it with a pen to Iris.

After receiving the writing implements and drawing medium, Iris drew the letters 'Pb' then drew the numbers of '82' on top of the letters. She turned the clipboard over to Kayin for him to examine.

"That is the Periodic Table you must be seeing, and this is one of the elements. Lead! Yes, that's what 'Cu-29' is." Kayin said.

"Yours magics have elements too? That is a strange way to say Fire, Ice, Dark, Light, Life… or something. How can Lead be an 'Element'? I mean I only recall Lead ever being used to make Official Seals, Paint and Statues." Iris commented.

"Oh, you won't believe what kind of things we can do with Lead. Power, Ammunition, Cables can't live without. Maybe I can show you one such thing later. Next question." Kayin eagerly said.

Prompted by the answers she obtained and the eagerness from Kayin, Iris flipped the paper of the clipboard again and drew another series of symbols and numbers. She drew the letters 'dS' then the symbol '≥' and finally the number '0'. Turning it over to Kayin to examine, she froze awaiting her answer.

The Nigerian stared at the equation for over a minute struggling to identify the symbols Iris wrote. Even Dr. Hana who was observing the makeshift interview was just as confused as him. For a moment all was silent.

"Did I give you a hard one?" Iris asked breaking the monotony of the room's soundless void.

"No, but I think I can help. Ok, give me a second let me check my phone." Kayin said.

He reached into his left pocket by his pants and grabbed a small orange colored rectangular device from it and held it firmly in his hands. His hands had seemed to spark the device to life as the screen lit up like the Magic Mirrors that Iris remembered seeing in her visions.

"That thing, it looks like something I saw in my visions of you. Only they are bigger and people and words that move were in it." Iris pointed out.

"Really? Bigger Smartphones? Oh, you mean Televisions. What did you remember seeing from the TV's?" Kayin asked.

"They were talking about a giant Flying Boat that was recruiting people to colonize a place called 'Benham-3'. 'the Eodem' flew past above me and it was large as a town. Your 'United Federation of Earth' are godlike compared to us." Iris said. Whilst she spoke, Kayin placed the pint-sized Magic Mirror above her drawing. A loud snapping sound occurred before Kayin took his Magic Mirror back close to him and began to fiddle his fingers with the device.

"Alisa! Can you identify the formula in this drawing I took?" Kayin asked his Magic Mirror.

"Identifying…Searching Database…I found your answer. This is the formula for the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics." A voice replied from within the miniature Magic Mirror or 'Smartphone'

"Alisa! What can you tell us about the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?" Kayin asked again to his 'Smartphone'.

"The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the state of entropy of the entire universe, as an isolated system, will always increase over time. The second law also states that the changes in the entropy in the universe can never be negative." Said Alisia.

"Entropy… Universe… It's basically saying that Energy goes away as time passes." Iris answered.

"Yes, that's it. Are you getting the answers you seek?" Dr. Hana asked.

"Yes, and I got so much more to ask from you." Iris smiled like an eager student.

"Uhm, I am sorry am I afraid I can't just give you all the answers you want by me alone. You can read and understand our language, right?" Kayin inquired.

"Yes, almost perfectly I think." Iris answered.

"Well I can give you a book later about how our Science and Technology works so you can read. If…" Hana said slowly stopping to catch herself from completing her 2nd sentence.

"If what?" Iris asked astonished by the request. She was doing so well getting the answers but now she has been hit with a wall that halt her progress.

"And what do I get from this proposition?" Iris asked.

"Well the books I promise you is one such compensation. You can even live here in our new town once it's built. We can even do some favors for you in exchange for your help. With consultation from Governor White of course." Hana negotiated.

"All right, although I do want add that I am not interested in the living with you due to… personal space reasons but I can agree with the rest." Iris nodded.

"Whew! For the first time in five long days we have some good news after that damn Bandit Attack." Kayin smiled.

"You… we were attacked by bandits sometime ago?" Iris asked.

"Yes… when we landed five days ago some men tried to burn us and kill us. We fought them off well but then one man in robes summoned some giant Fire Golem monster and tried to burn us alive! Thankfully Lieutenant Rose alongside me and the squad killed it with Fire Extinguishers… Fire Extinguishers." Kayin laughed.

"You fought the Burning Horse Bandits and won?!?" Iris exclaimed catching both Dr. Lee Haneul and Kayin by surprised.

"Why? Who are these 'Burning Horse Bandits'?" Kayin asked.

"They are the most dangerous family of brigands this side of the Principality and Valley. They have been known to raid villagers and extort money off of the people from all walks of life. Everyone is scared of them as they have over 1000 members." Iris said.

"That sounds troubling. What else did they do?" Kayin asked.

"I have heard that if someone refuses to pay up? Their home gets trampled by their horsemen first as a warning. If they refuse again, they sent their pyromaniacs or sometimes a Fire Mage to burn your house when you are away. If you still refuse then they kidnap you and your family and burn all of you alive as a warning to others to pay their 'Protection'." Iris said.

"My God that's horrible. They are definitely bad news. Would it be great with you if we can maybe take them down or something for you? Nobody should live like that." Kayin declared proudly.

Iris was shocked that those words came out of the Nigerian's mouth. Very few people had the guts to stand up to the Burning Horse Bandits, not even the nobility of the Principality of Tyr Rian where she lives couldn't lay their fingers on them due to bribery and blackmail that their leader Devico would throw at them. Devico practically had free reigns on what he could do in Tyr Rian and nobody could stop him. Yet these people from another world stood up to these oppressive outlaws so confidently that Iris assume Kayin is suffering from a case of suicidal overconfidence.

"But… I have seen them do horrible things to so many people. They once robbed me and stole my most prized possession, a Purified Mana Crystal necklace. I use it to power some of my more potent spells and demanding experiments but I lost it when the bandits raided my home." Iris sadly muttered.

"A Mana Crystal? Hey Doctor Haneul, you said that the science team is working on studying some necklace we found on a dead 'Mage' guy who my team killed after we took down that Fire Golem right?" Kayin asked Hana.

"Yes, do you think it's hers?" Hana wondered.

"Do you have it now? Let me see it. It is not only a valuable possession of mine but a family heirloom of the Cadohagans." Iris said.

"Well it does look pretty to hang in a Jewelry Store when I saw it. Maybe it is your necklace. Hana can you get it from Doctor Mahelona?" Kayin asked.

"Sure, wait here. Kayin keep an eye on our guest while I fetch the necklace."

Hana stood up and exited the room leaving Kayin and Iris alone together. It was all quiet staring with both of the two physically contrasting figures. Iris was excitedly by the edge of her seat hoping to be reunited with her necklace while Kayin however was alerted off the edge of his chair when he was told that the necklace will be given back to its previous, magically attuned owner. What if Iris uses the power of that necklace to escape?

Then a knock on the door before it was opened and came in Dr. Lee Haneul and another man. He was tall and authoritative in appearance and wore the green garments that UFE soldiers were wearing.

"Iris Cadohagan, I am Colonel Polonsky, Commander of the Benham-3 Colonial Militia." The new comer in the room sternly said.

"And what brings you to me Colonel?" Iris asked.

The Colonel silently grabbed an object from the breast of his jacket, it was the necklace they have retrieved from the mage who was controlling the Fire Golem.

"That's my necklace!" Iris excitedly exclaimed. Her irises opened in joy as she tried to reach for her necklace but the restraints locked her in place.

"So, Samantha's 'wild guess' was correct. You are indeed the owner of this necklace. I got to say madam, it's indeed beautiful." Polonsky complemented.

"Yes, it is as I said before a family heirloom now can I have it back?" Iris asked.

"No… at least not yet." Polonsky slyly said as he slides back Iris' necklace to his jacket

.

"What? How dare you! Give it back!" Iris snapped. Her body struggled for freedom beneath the restraints but she was tied down by reinforced fibers designed to tie down a rampaging elephant.

"I will return it in time Iris so please calm down." Polonsky said.

"How soon?" Iris growled her teeth showing and her eyes hungered for blood causing everyone in the room to shudder fearfully.

"Work for us and in time this necklace will be back into your hands. You can either play nice or be put down where you lay. I am giving you a chance right now Ms. Cadohagan. Now choose what happens next." Polonsky shrewdly responded.

Iris gulped, being under the servitude of someone is undesirable for a woman of her kind and status but she will get her necklace back but what if they don't keep their word? Her next choice was to break free from her leather straps, grab her necklace and fight her way out of the place, she knows that she isn't too far away from her home but what kind of opposition will she face outside of that door? There could be more soldiers waiting for her to try and make a move that would gladly shoot her down. So far Dr. Lee Haneul and Kayin Mudwin were so far being nice to her right now and it was playing to her advantage until then.

Iris reasoned herself for a moment until she come up with her choice. With a swallowed pride she says:

"Alright, I will help you." The Vampire Witch said.

"You made the right choice Ms. Cadohagan. Dr. Lee Haneul, I assign you to be her liaison. I want you to study what she knows and relay it back to command." Polonsky ordered.

"Yes Colonel." Hana nodded.

------------------------------------------------(The Next Day)-------------------------------------------

"Hey Hold still… I need to get this screw back… and done!" Kayin ecstatically said.

He backed off a laying down Vincent as he finished reinstalling Vincent's Battle Augmentations. The ex-thief had used several augmentations during his old criminal career such as a Rapid Movement Booster. The R.M.B Aug allows an individual to dash and quickly move almost instantaneously in whatever direction he chose. Its initial purpose was to allow soldiers who are often in the role of the Pointman to reflexively react quickly in close quarters and emergency situations for superior combat performance compared to their 'Naturalised' adversaries. However, the R.M.B Aug has found its way into the hands of criminal elements which is used by them to get away from Law Enforcements or get an edge in combat in a pitch. Although, Vincent was given an older and inferior model of the Aug he was used to having before it was confiscated during his arrest.

"Okay, Kayin. Alright ready with the watch?" Vincent asked Samantha.

"Let's see what you got. Ready? Set? Go!" Samantha shouted as she pressed the button on her smartphone's stopwatch to go.

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Vincent activated his Rapid Movement Booster and launched himself forward breezing past his squad mates as he approached the large empty cargo crates that Samantha has set up for training, he with the Aug's aid quickly mounted the steel mountain and climbed to the top.

There the next obstacle was a 10-meter gap to the other side of another mountain of stacked cargo crates. The record for the longest 'Natural' jump distance was around 8 meters but thanks to the R.M.B Aug it can easily go beyond that distance. Vincent tossed himself forward as his Aug pushed his legs like no ordinary man can even dream of achieving towards the landing in front of him…

"He sticks it! Woo! That's what I am talking about!" Crocker cheered as he clapped his hands loudly. He was joined by Obediah and Kayin who also clapped. Samantha however was still doubting Diaz's abilities as she stared at her stopwatch.

"There is no way he can beat it in 30 seconds…" She said to herself.

After climbing down the crates, the next obstacles were a dozen logs that were constructed like hurdles that he must successively clear. Dashing forward, Vincent cleared them with the grace of a Kentucky Derby Champion Racehorse.

"Look at him go." Obediah commented.

For the last obstacle in his way from victory was a barbed wire field that he must crawl under whilst subjected to mud. Diving down and slightly sliding a few feet, Vincent and his Augmented body got to work crawling through.

"This is the hardest part of the course. No way, no way he can make it." Samantha said.

Vincent's limbs plowed through the mud like a real plow as he effortlessly pushed himself through the mud. After he was out of the barbed wire, he stood up and began to run for the last meters of distance to back where he started.

"Come on home stretch you can make it!" Kayin cheered.

Using the 'Dash' ability from his R.M.B Augs, Vincent covered the ground with his feet but to the naked eye, it was almost as if he was blinking rapidly towards the finish line.

With a final mighty roar from him, Vincent dived forward to as his body flew past the finish line and his squad mates body slamming on to the Gliesian floor.

"So… how did I do?" Vincent exhaled as he breathed heavily and sweated profusely from his exertions.

"Just a few milliseconds to spare. I got to say Private Diaz. I am impressed." Samantha smiled although it was forced from her as she still see's the ex-thief with contempt.

"Ha! Twenty-Nine point something seconds. If only I had my old Augs back I can give you half that time." Vincent boasted.

"You know that can't be right?" Kayin said.

"I know, but I could dream…." Vincent said as he picked himself back up and brushed off the dirt from his shirt.

"Atten-shun!" Yelled a voice that broke the light-hearted moment.

Stryder Group scrambled to form a line, stand proudly and saluted to Colonel Polonsky walked towards them. Alongside him was Iris and Dr. Lee Haneul.

"Your discipline is starting to show now. That is good for your next mission." Polonsky complemented the squad.

"Thank you sir!" Samantha saluted.

"At ease Lieutenant." Polonsky said. The squad rested their postures and awaited their new orders.

"I have a relatively easy job for you that will not involve fighting anyone. As of the moment we have been gathering intel from our new informant Ms. Cadohagan for intel about this land and she has told me that she has several books from her home that she would like to show to our science team. I have assigned your squad to escort Ms. Cadohagan back to her home and retrieve these books." Polonsky briefed.

"Yes… Sir…" Samantha hesitantly said. She couldn't believe that she now has to treat the person who almost killed her and her squad was now to be treated a VIP.

"Is that some reluctance coming from you Lieutenant Rose?" Polonsky grumbled at Samantha.

"No sir!" Samantha picked her discipline up and saluted back to the Colonel.

"Good, I want Ms. Cadohagan and those books of hers to be back here within the next hour. Dismiss!"

------------------------------(on the Rode to Iris' Home)---------------------------------

The road was quiet that day as Stryder group returned to old dilapidated house with Iris in tow and the theme inside their Cruiser was tense to say the least. Iris sat between Vincent and Kayin in the back, Samantha driving, Obediah on Shotgun and Crocker manning the MG turret. All of the squad members honestly didn't want to go back to that wretched place and having the owner who almost killed them inside their Cruiser got everyone on edge.

"Why do you all feel scared? Am I not your friend now?" Iris asked.

"Well for starters you tried to kill us more than a day ago. And we are not your friends." Samantha talked.

"It is rude for a lady to talk without facing the person they are talking to." Iris pouted.

"Well hello there Vampire Girl! I am driving right now I can't just face you." Samantha talked back.

"How rude!" Iris snapped. The Vampire leaned forward towards Samantha but Kayin stopped her.

"Not a good idea right now miss. Sit back." Kayin sternly said. The vampire grudgingly agreed as she leaned back to her seat.

"I am just bored right now. All of I have been doing was just talking with Doctor Mahelona and Hana for hours and I could really use something to… relax with." Iris sighed.

"If you want a bite, it's a no from me." Vincent said as he covered his neck from Iris.

"I am bored, not hungry your naughty little rascal." Iris returned fire.

"Oh, the Vampire is sassy." Vincent teased.

"Hey, I am actually quite bored too… just like her. I think I can help with that for everyone. I got some nice beats from my phone that I listen to when I go on road trips. Maybe you can listen to my favorite Southern Gothic song if you want. This won is a goldie." Obediah suggested.

"Oh, sure if it's coming from you. Play it." Crocker said from the turret.

"What is 'Southern Gothic'?" Iris asked.

"It's best you listen to it. I hope you will like it." Obediah smiled.

He placed his phone on a portable speaker he keeps and twiddled his fingers to select the song from his playlist.

At first there was silence, then a beating drum and the sounds of strings coming from a guitar played.

The lyrics from the Obed's speaker ringed like hush lulls to Iris. She has never heard of the kind of music before and not even the famous Elven Bards can even hope to match the rhythm that she has heard. She was in bliss as she indulged herself in the audio that besieged her ears smiling happily and eyes closed.

"I think she likes it." Obediah said.

"Quiet… let me hear this…" Iris said.

"Yeah definitely like it… hey is that smoke?" Kayin pointed.

Samantha looked forward from her Driver's seat and noticed that was the direction they are taking to go to Iris house.

"That's where we heading right? Floor it Lieutenant." Crocker shouted as he cocked the Machine Gun readying himself for a fight.

Samantha stepped on the gas of their Cruiser causing the engine to roar as it sped past the Verden Valley Forest's trees. Iris hanged on tight from her seatbelt as she braced herself on the tremendous or at least by her kinds standards speed of the Steel Horse that the UFE can commandeer.

As the cruiser parked wildly at the entrance of Iris' home the place was a smoldering mess of ash and fire. The squad and Iris got out of the vehicle in utter dismay as they saw the house was now nothing but blackened wood and scorched stone. From those ruins the banner of a horse standing upright with a inflamed illustration in the background was posted in front of what was Iris' front door.

Iris knelt down and gathered the ashes of her razed home and cried, wailing loudly to the sky.

"I curse you all Burning Horse Bandits! And may your disgusting leader Devico die a thousand deaths!" Iris screamed.

"Iris, we are so sorry." Kayin comforted her. He placed his hand on Iris soldier and rubbed it which was a small remedy to her emotional state.

"I know, it's not your fault… It's the fucking Burning Horse's fault!" She growled.

As the Vampire mourned the loss of the very home she has built with her own two magical hands, Samantha, in the back, solemnly contacted her superiors by the radio.

"HQ, this is Stryder Lead, Iris' home was destroyed by hostile elements." She said.

---------------------------(Flashback: About a Week after the Conclave Explosion)---------------------

"By GODS! THEY ARE BACK! THEY ARE MORE! THEY KILL KILL KILL!!!!" Owyne screamed, he kicked in flailed his arms like a crying babe as several of his Magi Peers kept him still and from hurting himself or other people.

"What did he see in the visions?" Said one of the Magi.

"I do not know? Apprentice! Where are that elixir?" Said another.

"Right here master." Said the Magi's apprentice.

She passed bottle to her master hurriedly whilst he was struggling to keep him in place. The elixir that was given is a special brew used to sedate restless people and help them feel calm. It was made from special herbs that were imported from the Elven Continent of Alfel Nora which the ingredients can only be found from. Despite the Sleagian Empire's envy of the access of unique resources that grows from that paradise-like land, they have got to say, those arrogant Elves do know how to make some great brews. Popping the tap open, the Magi placed the elixir onto Owyne's lips and force fed him the drink. As the Grandmaster swallowed the concoction his flailing waned until he was resting comfortable at his bed.

"Ahh… Queen Elisven's soil… it feels so…warm and loving…" Owyne dreamily muttered.

"Grandmaster… can you speak to us…" the Magi said calmly.

"What do you want from me?" Owyne said.

"The visions? What did you see? What are these 'Demons' you spoke of?" the Magi asked.

Owyne was silent as the question wondered through his ears. Oh, how will he explain the horrors he has seen from to his peers. He saw doom and destruction for all and he could get executed for such Defamation and Livel.

"Listen carefully and do not tell anyone what I will say. Demons hunger from the stars and see our world as a meal for which to satisfy their desires. In their eyes they will see us a bountiful cornucopia for which to devour greedily too." Owyne spoke.

"That can't be true! You surely jest grandmaster!" the Magi exclaimed. He frantically tried to keep his calm but he knew that Geltagar's comet's prophecies a great change and the change was apocalyptic that the Empire and all of Gliesia will not want to experience.

"Gods forgive me but I saw it with my own eyes. May they have mercy on us all!" Owyne said.

"Are we truly doomed to die?" another Magi asked.

"They will send their 'Eyes' to scour the land for souls to eat and when they see us they will gladly come and eat us… They will come and scour they will… See all… Wait… if… they see souls… hmm…" Owyne caught himself as he remembered the visions.

He saw 'Eyes' fall down from the heavens to scour the land for souls. From the legends and myths of Gliesia, Demons need souls as nourishment just as a person needs food to survive. And since no hungry entity would go to a place where there is no 'food' to consume…

"I think I know how to stop the Apocalypse!" Owyne happily jumped out of his bed, a spark of genius lighted his mind as he began to enact his heroic plan to save his Empire and all of Gliesia.