Twenty minutes had passed since the defeat of Koda.
The eastern city of Bruswa lay blanketed in pristine white, a glittering winter dream carved from the ruins of war. Snowdrifts lined the edges of shattered buildings, and frost-laced trees sparkled beneath the receding purple sky. Children laughed as they played, rolling snowballs and sculpting crude ice forts while civilians huddled in wonder, warmed by relief rather than fire.
Jessie arrived in a burst of flame energy, her boots crunching softly on the snow-covered street. Her long coat fluttered behind her, scorched at the edges from battle. She looked ahead—and paused.
There, sitting beside a broken fountain, was Neve. The Ice Vandor's expression was calm, her pale white hair lightly tousled by the wind. Her armor shimmered like moonlight, and around her, children played in the snow she had conjured with her own power. One of them spotted Jessie.
Child: "It's Jessie! The Flame Vandor!!"
A collective cheer erupted. Civilians turned, smiling and clapping. Jessie raised a hand and waved with a grin, her eyes softening.
Neve looked up, her sapphire eyes glowing faintly.
Neve: "Took you long enough."
Jessie (chuckling as she sat beside her): "I see you weren't bluffing. You really did handle it. And… looks like you kept everyone safe."
Neve (mock-pouting): "Pfft, what did you expect? No one breaks the will of my ice."
Jessie: "Sigh… Please. Like it's unstoppable or something."
As they bantered, two small children cautiously approached—wide-eyed, shy, and clearly mustering all their courage.
Stephen: "Um… excuse me?"
Both women looked at them with soft smiles.
Jessie (kneeling): "Yes, little warriors? What can we do for you?"
Neve (smiling): "Hmm?"
Kyrie: "Who's stronger between you two?"
There was a moment of silence—then laughter.
Neve: "Oh, that's a good one!"
Jessie: "Who knows? I don't even know myself."
Neve: "We're both stronger than each other. That's the fun part. We balance each other out."
Stephen: "You're both my favorite Vandors! You fit perfectly in my heart!"
He turned away with a proud smirk like he'd just played the greatest trump card.
Neve: "Wow! A smooth talker already. You'll be dangerous in ten years."
Jessie: "Yep, that's the spirit. You've got future heartbreaker written all over you."
Kyrie: "My favorite Vandor is… Gendai."
Neve blinked, then smiled deeply.
Neve: "Ohh? Gendai? She's not officially a Vandor, though."
Kyrie (nodding firmly): "She is in my eyes."
Neve: "That's so sweet. I'll be sure to tell her. She's in Capriha right now, keeping the city safe… but how about we make a message for her?"
She pulled out her Astral Legion crystal and activated the recording.
Neve: "Okay, say your names loud and proud."
Kyrie: "Kyrie!"
Stephen: "Stephen!"
Neve: "Nice to meet you both. I'll make sure Gendai sees this, and I'll send it to your parents."
Jessie (elbowing her): "Look at that, you might just become his second favorite Vandor now."
They laughed together, the battlefield now replaced with warmth, joy, and a quiet peace that blanketed the city like falling snow.
Meanwhile: Western Bruswa – The Shadow's Fury
The western city burned—though not from fire. Shadows slithered through every alley as civilians were hurriedly evacuated by the Astral Legion's support squads. At the heart of it all stood Ingress, his blade dripping with the blood of vampires, his breathing heavy and wild.
He was surrounded.
Dozens of vampires clawed through the smog, screeching as they descended upon him.
Ingress (voice trembling with rage): "Kazimir this. Kazimir that. You'll all see. You'll see what kind of demon he really is…"
He swung his sword with violent precision. Each strike was like a cleave through time—disfiguring bodies and silencing the hordes. But his heart wasn't in the killing—it was in the fury, the obsession.
Ingress (roaring): "THE SCARS HE GAVE ME WILL NEVER HEAL!!"
A vampire lunged—and he split it in two.
Then, a figure appeared at the far end of the ruined square.
Tall. Eight feet at least. Gaunt, robed in shadow. The vampire general.
Ingress (clenching his sword): "Tch… perfect."
He lunged forward with both hands on his hilt, striking with all his hate.
Blades clashed. Metal screamed.
The two spiraled through the air, trading blow for blow.
Ingress (snarling): "The Eye of Nullity will be exposed. On Riah's soul… on Karah's grave… I SWEAR IT!"
With a sudden twist, he knocked the vampire's blade away and drove his sword deep into its chest.
But—
The vampire stood up. Again.
Confused, Ingress slashed its head off.
And it reattached.
He laughed. Not in joy—but in realization.
Ingress (grinning): "This… is useful."
He kicked the creature down, forced its jaw open, and shoved his arm into its mouth.
Ingress (growling): "Infect me. Turn me. Let me taste this power—and I'll spare you."
The vampire bit.
Blood spilled.
Then—
FWOOM!
Ingress's eyes burned bright orange-red.
His breath quickened. His fangs extended. Power flooded through him like a furnace igniting from within. The vampire squirmed beneath him.
He drove his sword deeper, slicing upward in a wide arc—disintegrating the creature in one final scream of agony.
As silence fell, Ingress stood amid the carnage. His eyes glowed. His strength surged. His thoughts, now blurred by newfound instinct.
Ingress (smiling coldly): "Now, Kazimir… now I have what I need to kill you."
The wind blew, and the blood moon above flared brighter.