239 Under City Engine

Over the course of five days, Ethernalia Leonis was already dealing with the problem of over population. I mean I understood that with the sealing array broken, there would be a lot of vampires feeling grateful, but filling my city to the point of there hardly being any space to walk around, was not something t expected to happen.

So in the interest of every here, Malek and Nefisat's had decided to expand the city rather than have another village of town built somewhere else. And it was in the process of making plans for the city expansion, that I discovered a huge secret that was being kept from me by Malek, Asha, Xaseah and Nefisat's. Well as the things is everyone but me, knew about it.

On it's own, Ethernalia Leonis had an expansive and very sophisticated sewer system. Some would say it wad an underground city of its own. I've never been there before, the dungeon only had one access tunnel, connected to my tower, which wad located right in the middle of the palace. So while I've gone below the city, I've not experienced the sewer system, until today.

Now I'm sure most people would wonder, why? What could I possible want with a sewer system. Beats me, I asked Malek and Nefisat's the same question. The sewer was weird, every sort of waste or water distribution channels was handled by massive pipes the size of a building, but those pipes were tiny compared to how big the sewer was, and how sci fi like it looked.

Metal walls, massive tubes and cables carrying massive volts of energy and magic, massive cogs, wheels, circuit boards, enchantment wards, and couple million machine guns for protection. What the hell were those guns protecting you might ask,well it's quite simple really. First it protected Nefisat's core, and the matrix that made up her consciousness and ran the whole city: providing water, electricity, energy for a plethora of stuff, and protection.

And secondly it protected the underground sewer itself, because the damn thing was just one.big.massive.engine. this sewer every square inch of it, was an engine created to facilitate the mobility of Ethernalia Leonis. It wasn't complete yet, and with the planned expansion, it would give Malek the chance to implement his planed flying, and teleportation programs and upgrades. But right now if I so wished, Ethernalia Leonis could move all over the pit, move underground, or sail the seas if I wanted it to. And this was everybody's gift to me, to celebrate becoming a father.

"You really out did yourself Malek. I'm beyond impressed with this."

"Thank you very much master Kael, I aim to please. The entire sewer system was designed by me, factoring in the construction of the city above, energy channels to facilitate the proper transmission of power from one end of the city to another, keeping a stable balance. Also I had to make sure the under city engine would not cause any sort of pollution that would cause damage to any and all forms of nature.

However things became a little tricky when the world tree Nasir was brought into the equation. His roots run deep into the earth, however surprisingly we were able to; with a significant amount of help from him, direct the growth of his roots, and instead used them as the main transmission of energy between the entire city. So he now serves as a conductor and power transformer, making him and the city truly one and the same.

Though with his connection to the city and it's power grid, he grew exponentially. But we were able to contain the excess energy, and redirect through out the city in the form of spores, pollen and flowers. If you've noticed, for a vampire city, Ethernalia Leonis has enough nature to rival and elven grove. It has made it's atmosphere and energy rich atmosphere, facilitating a wild growth in not just personal skills and abilities, but also racial upgrades, class upgrades, and improved physical capabilities.

Which is to say, that anyone, just as long as they live here, would be able to get stronger, and have a body that's at a higher level than many others. And I don't mean to brag, but ever since then, we've seen a rise in the pregnancy rate of vampire mothers. Even people who have had their third child, are conceiving again, and based on my calculations. The pregnancy duration seems to have dripped by about 48%! Lord Kael there isn't just peace and safety here, there's also prosperity!"

I didn't know that there had been so much change. I guess I've been so bust trying to keep them all safe, that I had forgotten to look back and take a good look at what I was fighting for. But I didn't mind, because if there's one thing Malek's words have proven, it's that my city, my children's home, was in good hands. This was really nice, and the most fulfilling I've been in both my lives. It's weird but I had this urge to scream I've got kids, and they'll be able to grow better and more loved than I ever did.

"Well Malek your job's not over yet. I know building won't be too much of a problem with Nefisat's help, and the city expansion would carry on smoothly. But there'simportant matter you need to work on immediately!" I said to Malek as I walked into a service elevator that would take me back up to the street level.

"Oh! Well my lord of there's anything that I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask it of me."

"I've told you what happened: about my meeting the old ones, and the giants. Well what I didn't tell you is that, the giants told me that the pit, and all of the dancing caves of Noxis Nyx would be coming down. That the enchantment which planted a mountain on top of the ancestral home of the vampires would be coming down, and we will be exposed to the rain, the moon, the wind, the clouds, and most importantly...…the sun."

Malek turned to me with his eyes growing wider a little more than I expected. I could see fear in his eyes, as his body shook imperceptibly before calming down. Vampires were deadly terrified of silver, and maybe quite wary of running water. But the dread and horror they felt at the very idea of being touched by sunlight, wad beyond every fear they have now, or have ever had before.

The sun did not make them weak, it out rightly just burnt them until here was nothing left but ash and dust. It's the one thing even an elder can not overcome, and a Dracula is still somewhat wary of. Dhamphirs are a better case due to them being only have vampire, so they could deal with the sun. But this was a threat to any full blooded vampire, and Malek knew it.

"What do we do my lord?" Malek asked with a serious look on his face.

"Well it's simple really, use that big brain of yours to come up with an enhancement to Nefisat's city wide shield. I need it stronger, enough that she should be able to filter the ultraviolet rays from the sun, and the power of the sun itself. I want this to be a city where vampires can walk in the sun, and not get burnt. Though I understand that the power the sun had over us, is more magical than biological, so you might want to consult Asha, Kuyait and Asare about it. But the sun is just one part of a big problem, if truly the mountains are coming down, then we have to up our defenses, and get stronger. Because while the mountains have been the walls of our prison, they've also kept us protected from our enemies outside. But without them, we'll be exposed and vulnerable without a wall to hide behind. Every second spent there would be In paranoia as we will have to keep looking over our shoulders, just in case the council of light decides to try something funny. We have to be prepared, because if we want to keep Ethernalia Leonis peaceful and prosperous as you say it is, we will have to fight against the entire world."

"I understand Lord Kael, I'm sure I would be able to come up with something to keep the city safe. But I believe you have a plan sir?" Malek looked up at me and asked.

The elevator came to a stop and opened up, Malek and I stepped out of what looked to be some sort of phone boot at the eastern edge of the city. A lot of attention was drawn, as all of the vampires, humans, werewolves and members of other races turned to look at us.

The city really was crowded, and coupled with the fact that enemies were living within breathing range of each other, I'm sure there would was a lot of tension between each and every single one of them, but I was out of ideas about what to do. Though I'm sure many of them hated me, I couldn't turn them away, because any other vampire outside of this city will kill them.And I also couldn't segregate them from the vampires, because doing so would not allow their old wounds to heal.

Sure 600 thousand years worth of suffering and death can not heal overnight, but we all had to start from somewhere. I needed them all to see that there wasn't much of a difference between the different races around. They all had the capacity to hate, and to love, and if they could find a common ground, I'm sure things will be easier and we would all be on our way to lasting peace.

But as soon as the mountains come down, I will let whoever wished to leave, to leave. Most of them just came here for a change of scenery, or looking for their fortune due to the mineral mountain. Of course a majority of them were also born here, so this was without a doubt, the only home they've ever known.

Malek and I weave through the crowds, smiling, talking and just being amicable with the people. I could see Malek's hesitation when dealing with either humans, werewolves or elves, but I didn't care. I made sure everyone could see me as I refused to differentiate between who I was talking to, or give preferential treatment based on race. I spent almost an hour there, but before the main gate of the palace came into view, and then I turned to Malek.

"You're right Malek, I do have a plan, several actually. First of all, after tomorrow, I'll be spending every waking moment of my time, breaking the seal on castle Sarang, because without a shadow of a doubt. We, all of us, the vampire race as a whole needs a Dracula to be around, serving as a deterrent to our enemies. And after I'm done with that, I'll be creating three diplomatic teams.

One of them would head straight for the Serpentis, the second would go to the Aviary and get the Nephilim on the same page as us, and the final one would just be me and Baeki, we will be going to den."

"But Master Kael! There are dragons in there, history books say they don't listen to anyone but themselves, and won't take any action unless the find it appealing. They're very emotional creatures and are not driven by sentiment, and they're practically the most destructive biological force in existence. Without a proper plan, it's suicide!" Malek frantically explained as he tried to dissuade me from going there.

"Don't worry Malek, I have a friend waiting there for me. I'll be safe."

"A friend?"

"Yes Malek, a friend." I answered him as I teleported away, making a beeping for my children's room.