In the dark of night, the roads of Anvilius were reflecting the bright shine of the world's moon.
Hundreds were gathered inside the city, all in huge swarms searching for survivors.
One of said groups ended up unlucky, walking straight into the house Cassiel's group was taking refuge in.
.....
.....
"Finally, what the hell were we thinking when we made these d-"
Before being able to finish his sentence, the vampire's head had fallen to the ground as a fountain of blood sprayed from his severed neck.
"W-What the-"
One after another, the group died off, none of them ever catching a glimpse of their killer.
.....
Walking back inside the house, Albus cleans his blade off with a worn out table cloth, before finding himself a place to sit for a moment.
"...Is this truly right for us to be doing..?" He questions, picking his head up to meet Cassiel's gaze.
Silence ensued for a couple of moments.
"It isn't." Cassiel responds, his voice solemn, filled with hatred.
"This is why there can not be two kings ruling over Rampiel. Our race's loyalty is engraved easily... it is our biggest weakness." He continues, his voice dragging off as he looks out the only window left on the house.
"Let's get moving now then, we can't allow your subjects to fall under the ruse of a false king." Kislev says, standing as he extends his hand to Cassiel.
Smirking, Cassiel accepts his hand as the group move out, jumping across rooftops straight towards the building in the middle of the city, the foundry.
.....
…..
Anvilius has always been a special case.
Unlike most cities, this one had no lord ruling over it, but instead, a council of nine blacksmiths that had mastered their respective works.
Out of the nine, there has only been four that've never been replaced by a better candidate, yet, there was one who stood above the rest as the undisputed king of smithery.
He had disappeared as Nahka's uprising began, and not one soul knew of his whereabouts.
Although royal families were ordered to not exert their influence over the city due to Cain's agreement with Anvilius, after the collective disappearance of Cain and their city's "king", the remaining eight masters had turned to rely on Nahka for guidance and protection, under the terms that they'd supply any and all requests made by him.
.....
…..
Traveling through the city at high speeds, the group remained hidden from the naked eye, never being spotted even as multiple groups of vampires walked below their very shadows.
As they approached closer to the Foundry, Cassiel, leading the group, would stop near the edge of one of the roofs, catching his group off guard as they all would stop abruptly as well.
"Is something wr-"
Before Thern can finish his sentence, he's immediately shushed by Cassiel.
"I want to make something very clear to all of you. No matter what happens inside, none of you are permitted to kill any of the council members. Am I understood?" He orders, his voice quiet yet stern.
Collectively, the group nodded their heads in agreement, not wishing to make much noise in their mission turned stealth.
.....
The Foundry.
Despite it being built to resemble a furnace, it was extraordinarily defense capable.
There was one entrance, and one exit to the building. The entrance was comprised of a door that had been built upon for many, many years, to ensure it would be strong enough to handle blows even from Rael himself, whom Cain tested personally.
All other possible entrances, like windows, were refined to be the smallest possible slits and holes to allow the minimal required air flow to sustain any living beings inside.
.....
Appearing behind the guards stationed in front of the Foundry's entrance, Elysia quickly slits their throats, leaving them to bleed out dry as she searches both bodies for a key.
With the rest of the group coming down one by one, they all begin searching collectively for a way to open the door.
As the group searches, Kislev walks in front of the door, staring hard at it as if to analyze the very material itself
"KISLEV DON'T!" Cassiel yells out, dashing towards Kislev, but still too late.
Before hearing his words, Kislev unleashes his strongest attack onto the door, hitting it with his fist, which in turn shatters his arm in its entirety.
With a loud bang, Kislev screams out in pain, alerting any and all vampires in the vicinity.
Sighing in frustration, Cassiel finds himself sitting up against the wall, confusing the others.
"My king, we must retreat to another house, the warriors stationed here in Anvilius will surely-"
"Enough." Cassiel says, cutting Ophelia off.
It quickly dawns on her the situation they're currently in.
Kislev's arm was shattered, making him weak and vulnerable even to a group of common warriors.
Thern and Elysia were still battered from earlier, Cassiel had just awakened after having all his mana drained, and Albus was barely holding himself together after everything.
"What is it we're supposed to do then, my king?" Ophelia questions.
"In this situation... I'm not so sure anymore, I apologize." Cassiel says, his tired eyes carving into the ground beneath.
It isn't long before the first group of vampires arrives, numbering near fifty total.
The sheer mana emitting off Cassiel's group stunned the troupe of warriors that had just arrived.
Yet even still, one stepped forward, one clearly more capable than the rest there.
"You six are hereby sentenced to be imprisoned under the guard of Anvilius, any further defiance and I will not hesitate to draw my blade, weigh your options carefully."
Gripping onto her bow tightly, Ophelia steps forward, before stopping as Albus grasps her arm from behind.
After looking at Cassiel for a couple moments, Albus takes it to himself to lead.
"Under whose guide are we following?" Albus asks, stepping in front of Ophelia.
Eyeing Albus up and down, the vampire opens his mouth to speak once more.
"I am Aurei Antiacus, Commander of Anvilius' Guard Unit." The vampire says, his head held up high as he gazes upon the group.
.....
Chained together, the group walk slowly in the midst of Anvilius' warriors as they're led through dark roads in the middle northern part of the city, before finally, they arrive at the city prison.
Walking down into a tunnel lit only by a couple of torches, the group members are each situated into their own cells, none so much as letting a word slip through their lips.
As most of the guards leave the tunnel, only a couple are left behind to stand watch.
Albus glances over towards Cassiel, who has his eyes closed deeply in thought.
With his gaze lingering, Cassiel finally looks towards Albus, before nodding his head as he once again closes his eyes.
.....
After about two hours had passed, the commander from before returned to the tunnel, only just finding out who Cassiel and his group were.
Looking for an audience with him, the commander and a handful of guards pass through the main gate to the prison, only to be met with utter dismay.
The four guards that had been left to watch over their new prisoners were left to bleed out as they had all escaped.