After the battle with the elves, mostly everyone that participated had the same thing to say, that the elves appeared weak. It was rather underwhelming, even the lowest ranked vampires seemed to have something to say about it.
Aldritch didn't pay much attention anymore. From what he could gather, it was either the elves were testing them and willing to throw their own to their deaths, or there was something he was yet to notice.
After scanning his brain, Aldritch came to the conclusion that there was the possibility that the elves may be suffering from some internal conflict that had made them this way. In the end, there was no way of knowing, so Aldritch let the thoughts go for the moment.
Slowly, night time came, the atmosphere carrying the faint hum of magic that seemed to saturate everything.
That night, as the family regrouped, forming several large camps due to their numbers, Aldritch stood alone on the ridge, his sharp gaze sweeping over the valley below. His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, reflecting the firelight of their camp behind him. With his new vision, if he focused, even a rat a mile away was not hidden enough. His senses had become that sharp. For now, he just needed time to get used to the changes so he could utilize them effectively.
...
Far away, in a shadowed hall, an elder vampire's eyes snapped open as the pair of crimson eyes that matched the same intensity as Aldritch's shone through the dark ambient room.
'What is this? Strange...'
The vampire slowly awakened from his long slumber, his bones cracking softly as he came to his feet, showing just how long he must have been asleep.
From the shadows, a man appeared, walking towards the man who had just woken up, prostrating softly with one arm over his chest, "you've awaken, my lord."
"Indeed, I have... Take me to our Lord immediately, as must meet with her." He said.
"As you wish, my lord."
The ripples of Aldritch's power had reached the Vampire Society, and the reaction was immediate. He had yet to take any major step, but had already been found out, without him even knowing it.
...
Far from the plateau, in the depths of the forest belonging to the Emerald Court, the silver-haired elf who had lost disgracefully to Aldritch, stood before a council of high-elves. The elven council convened in a vast hall carved from living wood.
The silver-haired commander, his armor still stained from the earlier battle, stood before the council, his expression grim.
"The vampire is unlike what we expected, his strength is definitely around Rank I," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "His forces are disciplined and just as terrifying, our men couldn't do much against them, their power is undeniable."
"Dangerous, sure," Nahia said with a short grin, "but doesn't that just mean more opportunities? I haven't been able to grow past this point for years, perhaps now, that will change."
Veronica shot her a look. "You're right, but you do strike me as someone who will easily lose control, better be careful." She said in a teasing manner.
Nahia only scoffed. "Softie."
"What did you say you old woman?"
"Alright both of you, cut it out and stop behaving like children. We have better things to focus on."
...
As dawn approached, a scout returned to the camp, his expression urgent as he moved through several camp sites.
Once he came before the tent where Aldritch was, he bowed low prostrating to Aldritch, who was seated in his darkened tent, reviewing some latest findings.
"Lord," the scout said. "We were able to infiltrate deep into the elven territory. The elves are gathering forces and calling for reinforcements from neighbouring communities. And... they're bringing something else."
Aldritch's gaze sharpened. "So we only faced off against a weak bunch... makes sense. What is this something else?"
"A weapon," the scout replied. "An artifact. We hear it is a relic capable of amplifying their magic a hundredfold."
"A hundredfold, I see." He said calmly.
'A hundred fold?! Are they preparing for a world war or something? Why pull out the big guns so fast?'
Aldritch rose slowly, his presence filling the room like a shadow. "Good. Let them bring their weapon. I'll make it mine."
The scout hesitated, feeling the overwhelming confidence Aldritch exuded, washing away any doubt he may have had in his heart, if any at all.
...
Far off from the forest, in a volcanic region of the higher world, a figure clad in crimson armor stood atop a cliff, gazing into the distance. The man's lips curled into a grin as the volcano raged behind him, "So, the game begins," the man murmured. "Let's see if this new one is worth my attention."