Vampires have existed for thousands of years, ruled by kingdoms and parliaments.
Due to changes in the world situation, some bloodlines migrated from Europe to the United States.
Nyssa's father was the most powerful vampire in the region; his age was unknown. He controlled vast wealth and commanded several elite vampire guards.
Trained like human special forces, equipped with firearms, and amplified by vampires' superior physiology, this guard unit achieved remarkable success in combat.
Nyssa had once received a request for help from the Vampire Council, so she brought her guards to assassinate Blade.
Ordinary vampires were the working class, the beasts of burden. They generated income and did the basic work.
The Blade warriors hunted vampires; cutting off their income was like killing their parents.
It wasn't surprising Nyssa would be placed on an assassination list — in the elders' eyes, it was even reasonable.
What no one expected was that Captain America's awakening — and the fact he'd been replaced by someone who had traveled through time and space — would create a slight deviation in their plans.
—
In the basement of a large suburban mansion outside New York, Norman Osborn led his scientists as they assembled a huge, ordered instrument.
Had this client not been important and paid in full, Norman would never have come in person. But for the sake of money, he attended.
"Fess, your instrument is assembled and the experiment was a success. If you have another order, give it to me — I'll give you a discount."
Norman extended his hand with practiced enthusiasm. Big clients deserved big smiles.
Oscorp had poured most of its capital into researching human enhancement drugs; the company's finances were tight.
The board had protested more than once, but Norman refused to give up.
Two-thirds of his assets were already invested in R&D; to abandon it now would waste everything.
The huge instrument before him was what Fess used to perform sacrifices to the Blood God — his only path to greater power.
The elders on the council were too cowardly, tolerating the Blade warriors' repeated provocations. They could tolerate it, but Fess could not.
After years of working like a slave for the parliament, he was always the first to be blamed when things went wrong.
He'd been criticized for blind expansion that had drawn the Blade warriors' attention.
Vampires had survived by coexisting quietly with humans, accumulating vast wealth.
Those in power disliked unruly subordinates while ambitious subordinates sought promotion.
Only pure-blood vampires could serve as councilors; Fess was a hybrid, turned after being bitten. His rise had suddenly stalled.
What to do?
Get rid of the boss and take the seat.
Before Steve Rogers's awakening, Fess had directed his vampires to expand aggressively — biting ordinary people and converting them into vampires to grow his forces.
If ordinary people bitten didn't want to die, they had little choice but to go along. That was how Fess's strength kept growing.
There was another reason behind his audacity: Fess could not defeat Blade.
Now his position, life, and property were at stake. He had no choice but to rebel.
"Of course, of course. Haha — I'll take you out." Fess's eyes flickered as he considered whether to kill Norman to prevent information leaking.
"Haha, no need for trouble; you're too polite. I must return to my experiments — military orders are coming in fast.
General Slocombe transferred from the Marine Corps to be a purchasing officer; he has a powerful background." Norman was a smart man and saw through Fess's intent at once.
Those words invoked the military and warned Fess: don't act recklessly, or you'll face consequences.
These days the military's power was not just a story; it commanded a huge fleet and forces capable of global reach.
Fess smiled brightly and personally escorted Norman out of the villa. "Then I wish you early success. Let's continue our cooperation next time."
He wasn't stupid. Recently offending the police and S.H.I.E.L.D. had already been costly. He needed Norman's equipment and had no interest in unnecessary enemies.
After seeing Norman off, Fess's smile vanished; his eyes grew cold.
Quinn limped over — lucky to have escaped the last chase, though with broken hands and feet.
Fortunately, a fresh blood meal had allowed his limbs to regrow; he remained fragile and unable to fight.
"Boss, Princess Nyssa and her men showed up in New York. They had bad intentions. They fought Captain America but were let go." Quinn's fear of Captain America was greater than his fear of Blade.
Blade killed people, but Captain America was different: he could knock someone across a room with one punch, and his identity and background were stronger.
"If Blade is a lone street fighter," Quinn added, "Captain America is an official — a war hero who can call in forces. The police must obey him. Clashing with such a man is dangerous."
As soon as Captain America was mentioned, Fess's eyes reddened.
His long-time lover had been shot in the head by Captain America in front of him.
Even a pure-blood vampire would die from such an injury. The hatred for her murder had become an unhealable wound.
Sooner or later, Fess swore, he would tear Captain America's head off to avenge her.
"Nyssa? Humph. Forget about her. Tell someone to inform Blade about her presence. She's good in a fight, right? Let the professionals handle her." Fess smiled cruelly.
He intended to kill using borrowed weapons — to have Blade do the dirty work.
Blade warriors specialized in hunting vampires. Nyssa was a princess, but still a vampire. When a vampire hunter met a vampire, rank didn't matter — there would be no negotiation.
"That's brilliant, Boss. I'll go right away!" Quinn saluted eagerly, flattering him without asking for pay.
"Get lost! If you fail, I'll kill you. There's no point keeping trash around." Fess had no patience for repeated failures. A failed piece of trash had no right to live.
"Yes, Boss!"
Fess turned to the huge instrument and smiled a cruel, fevered smile. His eyes shone with fanatic excitement.
All they had to do was lure the twelve pure-blood elders, extract their blood, and add the blood of the mutant Blade.
That would evolve his bloodline — make it stronger than a pure-blood vampire's.
Then he would control the parliament. He would be the final authority. He wouldn't need a ceremonial staff or a title; his power would speak for itself.
"Mercury, wait. I will find a way to resurrect you. And Steve… your death is approaching soon."