Rescue

Immediately after the sudden attack, Shinatsu rushed home to tell everyone what happened. Ariel knew he'd continue to be targeted, she's ashamed she let it happen again. But…

"I have faith in Chifuyu. He'll hold his own until we get there."

"Do you even know where he could be?" Diego asks. He's the only one here who doesn't know he's a half-vampire and that Ariel's the Vampire Lord that was sealed here.

"Yeah. Um… We're tied together by fate," Ariel answers with a serious but unserious face.

"Uh huh…" Diego has his doubts. He knows there's something he's missing that no one's told him based off what's been going on recently, but he's just going along with it.

Kagura immediately called to inform Nailah of what was going on.

"I know you and the Vampire Kord can handle yourselves, so protect the others."

"Will do."

With that, Kagura hangs up. Nailah believes they're capable of overcoming this on their own, so she won't be calling for reinforcements. Beginning to set off, Ariel gets her alter blade.

"Diego, watch over the shop for us," says Kagura.

"What? I don't kun why they want Chifuyu, but j can fight."

"You're not a Hunter. We can't put your life at risk."

"Please. I know you don't know me that much, but you can trust me. Fighting's the one thing I have going for me." Diego is resolved.

Ariel can see the determination in his eyes, "Let's bring him. If he says he can fight then I have no reason to doubt him. We're gonna need all of Odd Jobs for this."

"Ariel…" Diego's relieved someone is vouching for him.

"I'm sure you could rescue him by yourself," Shinatsu states bluntly, "But I'd still go regardless." The others agree in this regard.

Everyone is prepared. Kagura gives Shinatsu the alter blade her sister gave them, seeming only natural. Only Special Rank Hunters are allowed to use alter weapons, so just for this upcoming battle, they'll have to break the rules. Just as they were getting ready to leave, the strongest Hunter teleported right in front of them along with another Hunter he's known since his Academy days.

"Woah.. Shoyo!"

"He has his hair down."

Shoyo usually has his hair slicked back, but Ariel and Iris have seen him with his hair down plenty of times, they lived with him for a year after all. Though Iris has known him longer. This is Kagura's first time seeing him like this, so she couldn't help but let out a little comment.

Ariel recognizes the guy with Shoyo. "Oh, I remember you." He was at the trial and is a relative of Shinatsu although she doesn't know him too well, Dallas Boreas. He's only here right now because he was already with Shoyo when he got the call from Nailah. He looks over to Shinatsu and gives her a nod saying hello.

'Wow, the strongest Hunter in the flesh. This is who trained Chifuyu.' Diego says in his head.

"So it's true, Chifuyu was captured?"

"Yeah. We're gonna get him back right now," Ariel responds.

"Can you tell how far he is?"

"A rough estimate, I'd say at least 50 miles."

"Even while using the Hunter siren, that's at least an hour drive."

Hunters barely use them nowadays, but they're authorized to equip their vehicles with sirens in case of emergency situations.

"Ariel, you get on top of the car with me and Dallas and tell me the general direction, I can teleport you guys to the closest place."

"That's a huge help." Kagura gives her thanks.

"Let's go."

***

Chifuyu opens his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling, lying on a king-sized bed. Remembering what happened on the train, he immediately tried to run without looking around but is grabbed by Patrick who had been standing next to him.

"Have a good nap, dear Chifuyu?"

"No thanks to you, Patrick. You've been deceiving me this whole time."

"You should be grateful I'm not like the other Slayers, otherwise you'd already be dead." With those words, Patrick pulls Chifuyu closer to his body and covers his mouth. Inching closer to the half-vampire's neck, he modestly bites into it. Patrick had already gotten a taste of Chifuyu's blood while he was knocked out, but somehow this second taste is even more mouthwatering.

'Oh my. I must hold myself back.'

"What's so special about this boy? Nobody's blood can be tastier than yours."

The voice came from the door. There was a female vampire dressed in gothic clothing with an eye mask on. The 3 are currently in what seems to be a master bedroom.

"I suppose that is true. Would you like some Chloe?"

"Would I?"

Chifuyu is let go as Patrick cuts his arm with a fingernail so Chloe can suck his blood. She struts to him and kneels on one knee. Grabbing his arm, she begins to lick the dripping blood. Chifuyu looks on with an unamused face.

"Can you two do this in some other room?"

'That's right. Vampires can't drink each other's blood for sustenance, but they still can for other reasons..'

"Hm. It seems our guests have shown up, go ahead and greet them with everyone else."

"Sure~."

The female vampire exits the room, leaving Patrick and Chifuyu. The captive scans the room, seeing if there's anywhere he can escape. There's a balcony behind some glass doors, he could try to make a run for it but doesn't think he'll be able to outrun the vampire.

"Where am I?"

"One of my mansions."

"Oh. We got along pretty well, didn't we? I would assume I'd get some sort of VIP treatment."

"I don't have you chained up. Plus it's just the two of us now alone in my bedroom. What better treatment could there be?"

"Hmph. What'd you do to the girl who was with me?"

"Don't worry, I kept her alive."

"Should I give you my thanks? You're a well-known guy y'know. Was it really smart to reveal yourself? How do you think you're gonna get out of this?"

"I knew the risk. But I just had to taste your blood, no matter what. Besides, there's someone currently amongst my men who's several times stronger than myself. He'll take care of your friends who've just arrived if my fangs can't."

'Fangs?'

"You think this guy can beat Ariel?"

"If he can't, then I have a means to deal with her. But you should worry about yourself."

Patrick walks to his closest and pulls out a blade which he tosses to Chifuyu who catches it. A sinister countenance comes about on the vampire.

"I will kill you, and wring every drop of blood from your corpse."

***

The direction Ariel was sensing Chifuyu was about 50-odd miles north of Odd Jobs. There's a major corporation building he's been to about 36 milles North of them so he teleports first to clear the area then goes back for them. Cutting the drive down to at least 14 miles, they were able to get to Chifuyu's location in 19 minutes.

"He brought Chifuyu to his mansion? Doesn't look like he thought this through."

"Don't let your guard down. Who knows how many vampires are here."

"Any plan?"

"We clobber whoever gets in our way."

"Pretty straightforward."

"I'm sensing Chifuyu on the second level towards the back."

"You guys need help?"

"Nah. We got this."

Shoyo smiles knowing he can leave this to them.

"Don't get caught by any surprises, Ariel. I'll be waiting out here. You have 30 minutes to rescue Chifuyu, Odd Jobs."

"Got it!" They all say in unison except for the Vampire Lord.

Ariel forcefully kicks the front gate open and they all run in.

"You have a lot of faith in those kids, huh?" Dallas who hasn't been saying anything speaks.

"Yep. These kids are the future of Shioto. I have unwavering trust in them. On top of that, they have a Vampire Lord with them."

"I suppose you're right."

'I see you've found a good place, Shinatsu.'

Augustus Mansion Raid Date: July 13th, 2024

New Beginnings Arc -End-