"But first, put these on. They're for your own sake." Key said, casually holding out a folded pair of black pants that seemed to appear from nowhere. Where he got them? Even he didn't know.
Von's mouth twisted in protest, fangs flashing, but before he could utter a word, a slice of wind ripped past him.
In a blink, the pants were on.
Speedy dusted off her hands, her stance cocky.
"Whew. Finally. That was starting to get uncomfortable."
She gave Von a sideways look.
"If he wasn't going to do it, I gladly helped."
Von growled.
"Tch! Who's to say I won't take them back off?"
Key pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Are you in denial or something? Why are you so obsessed with being naked?"
He caught himself, eyes squinting.
"Y'know what? Nevermind. Just tell us where we are."
Von huffed and puffed himself up again, clearly thrilled to monologue.
"Hymp! I guess I can tell you before I kill you both. This…" he gestured dramatically to the ever changing mist around them. "is the outskirts of the Village of Eros, home of various vampires. Ruled by King de San and Queen Gianna."
Key glanced at Speedy with a smirk.
"Damn. I thought this was just a regular portal. Who knew this was included?"
Speedy nodded, her eyes scanning the strange horizon.
"Their portals are reality changing. They can lead you literally anywhere, that's why they're so dangerous."
Von narrowed his glowing eyes, suspicious.
"What are you two going on about?"
"Don't worry about it." Key replied, brushing him off with a wave.
"Take us to the King and Queen."
Von stopped mid step, eyebrows raised.
"You don't want to fight back? You're..turning yourselves in?"
Speedy gave a nonchalant shrug.
"All powerful, naked obsessed Von… we surrender to you."
He stared at them, dumbfounded. Then slowly… a grin curled across his face.
'The King and Queen will praise me!
I'll finally be able to be free!!'
"Smart choice." he purred, walking forward and placing a hand on each of their wrists.
From his palms, gray Abyssal Energy flowed like liquid chains, swirling around their arms and solidifying into rune marked cuffs that pulsed with cold light.
"Follow me."
He turned and strutted toward a wall of shimmering white mist. Key and Speedy shared a glance, nothing needed to be said. They nodded, and followed.
To escape this place, they'd have to kill the King and Queen. Reaching them this way? Just good strategy.
As they stepped through the veil, the world shifted.
Gone was the endless fog. In its place:
A twisted paradise.
Spired towers of black glass pierced the air like blades. Crimson lanterns floated above the streets, casting blood red halos onto the cobblestones. Obsidian buildings twisted into unnatural shapes—some like inverted hearts, others like clawed wings. Black ivy crawled across every surface, pulsing as if it breathed.
All around them: distant whispers, laughter, and low moans carried on a wind that smelled like roses soaked in something..thicker.
Above it all loomed a crescent moon, hanging too low, dripping silver-blue light like liquid mercury onto the village below.
[Welcome to the Eros Village!]
[Quest Available!]
[Main Quest] Kill the Villain
Kill the King and Queen.
Escape the Stasis Portal.
[Sub-Quest] Unlock the Hidden Truth of the Village
[Do you accept?] [Y/N]
Key's eyes flicked across the prompt. He mentally selected [Yes].
'Well that basically confirms it,
but I want to find out the shit under the surface before we kill them.'
As they passed through the tall, rune-carved gates, Key tilted his head toward Von.
"So, Whippus… what's the history of this village?"
Von scoffed but quickly turned smug, his eyes sweeping the skyline with pride.
"Glad you asked! The Village of Eros is not just any vampire nest. It is the sacred heart of temptation, of evolution, of eternal union!"
His arms rose dramatically.
"Long ago, the King and Queen—once mortal lovers—ascended to godhood by drinking the blood of a fallen vampire goddess beneath a Blood Moon."
Key and Speedy listened, their expressions unreadable.
"They birthed this village from their bond. Every structure, every corner, every whisper in the shadows is an extension of their will. Those who serve them serve love itself."
Then his tone changed.
"Us Low-Class Vampires are sent to gather men and women for the High-Class and Alpha Vampires. Men so their blood and abilities can be consumed…"
He paused, then smirked.
"And women—well, the Queen's court prefers their fertility… to remain fruitful."
His eyes glittered, fangs peeking.
"After all, what's a kingdom without loyal heirs?"
Key and Speedy froze mid-step.
Something in the air shifted.
Von's grin faltered.
A cold wind blew.
Speedy's voice came low, flat, and deadly.
"…What happens to the women who don't give their consent?"
Von didn't hesitate. Didn't even blink.
"They are forced. The King doesn't like the word 'No.'"
He smiled.
And in that moment, he didn't see the change in her aura.
But Key did.
A low hum rippled through the air.
A sudden memory slammed into Speedy's mind like a dagger.
A cold alley.
A hungry girl.
The sound of boots on stone.
She had run. Barefoot. Starving. Terrified.
"C'mon now, girlie! No need to run!"
"Ain't nowhere to hide, anyway!!"
Their voices—mocking. Laughing. As if she were nothing but prey.
She ran faster.
Faster.
Faster.
Faster.
The world blurred.
Then—
darkness.
Not just night.
The Abyss.
She didn't know how she got there. Maybe she ran too fast. Maybe something..someone pulled her in.
But she had survived.
She had learned to fight.
Not just for herself…
But for those who couldn't run.
And now?
Now these dumbass vampires thought they could treat people like property?
Capture men to consume. Breed women like cattle?
No.
Not again.
A blast of golden-white energy surged around her like a divine explosion. The air shattered. The ground cracked. Her cuffs snapped like brittle twigs.
The sky pulsed.
Even the buildings flinched.
Speedy's eyes glowed with raw fury.
"Take me to every vampire who's committed that action with the women."
Von backed away.
"Tch! Hell na—"
SMACK.
Key's backhand landed like thunder, launching Von off his feet and into a nearby pillar, which cracked on impact.
He didn't even look at him.
Key stepped beside Speedy and nodded toward the looming palace in the distance.
"Don't worry. We'll find them."
His eyes glowed faintly as he added,
"Just tell the King and Queen..death is coming."