As Strax absorbed the blood filants, a crimson glow seed to radiate from his skin, as if he were savoring the very essence of his victim. The hall remained silent, with the expressions of those present ranging from shock to fear to admiration. Even among vampires, where strength and brutality were valued, Strax's lethal efficiency was a rare sight to behold.
"Blood manipulation..." murmured one of the older nobles in the back of the hall, his voice barely audible. "Against another vampire... And with such ease…" He glanced at those around him, who were equally stunned.
Elizabeth Tepes, seated on the elevated throne at the back of the hall, raised an eyebrow, her curious gaze fixed on Strax. She delicately rested her chin on her hand, watching him like a predator studying a particularly intriguing prey.
Strax took a step forward, his gaze sweeping across the vampires around him. He knew he had beco the center of attention, but the pressure of their stares did not bother him. On the contrary, he seed to thrive under it.
"I hope this clears up any doubts you may have had about my presence here," he said, his cold smile spreading. His voice sliced through the silence like a blade, echoing through the hall.
Belatrix approached him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You really know how to make an entrance, darling," she said, sliding beside him like a seductive shadow.
Scarlet, who had been further away, walked elegantly toward Strax, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of approval and caution. "That was efficient, but a little too flashy. They won't forget this anyti soon." Her voice was low, carrying a tone of warning.
Cassandra, who had stayed close to Strax throughout the incident, couldn't help but laugh softly. "You definitely know how to steal the spotlight, my dear. But do you have any tricks left for the rest of the night, or have you used up all your creativity already?"
Before Strax could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. A group of vampire guards entered, ard and ready to act, their eyes fixed on the lifeless body of Darius. The leader of the guards, a tall man with a stern expression, stopped a few ters from Strax, assessing the scene.
"What happened here?" he asked, his firm voice cutting through the air.
Elizabeth raised her hand in a casual gesture, interrupting any potential confrontation. "Nothing that requires the guards' intervention, Regent Tyros," she said, her tone controlled and authoritative. "Darius made a fatal mistake, and our guest rely defended himself. There is no need to prolong this incident."
The guards hesitated, but obeyed the princess's order. They backed off, but not before casting wary glances at Strax.
Elizabeth rose from her throne, the grace of her movents drawing the attention of everyone in the hall. "Ladies and gentlen," she said, with a cold but charming smile. "The incident was unfortunate, but I believe we shouldn't let one mistake ruin our evening. We're here to celebrate my advancent, after all. So, please, let's return to the dinner."
The tension in the hall began to dissipate, but the electric energy still lingered in the air. As the guests slowly returned to their conversations, Strax remained in the center of the room, his vampire companions gathering around him.
Scarlet leaned slightly toward him, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "You played well, but be careful. Vampires don't forget or forgive insults. You've made a statent here tonight, and many won't be pleased with it."
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Strax simply smiled, his confidence unwavering. "Let them co, then. Since I've started, I may as well finish."
Scarlet narrowed her eyes but couldn't help but smile slightly. "Let's hope you're right. Because I won't be defending you."
As the guests returned to their apparent normalcy, Elizabeth continued to watch Strax, her curiosity growing with each passing mont.
Strax raised his glass again, drinking the remaining contents as if nothing had happened. The taste of blood mixed with the flavor of his victory made everything seem even sweeter.
"Well," Cassandra said, holding his arm and pressing against him, "let's see what else tonight has in store. It seems you've already stolen the spotlight, my dear."
Belatrix laughed softly, caressing Strax's shoulder. "Thank you for defending ," she whispered in his ear. "We'll play a little later," she concluded.
As Belatrix finished her teasing, the sound of firm footsteps echoed through the hall. An older man, imposing in stature and radiating an aura of authority, slowly approached. His face was a mask of control, but his eyes revealed the storm of emotions raging within him. He stopped beside the lifeless body of Darius, his eyes analyzing every detail before raising his gaze to Strax.
"So, you're the one responsible for this," he said, his voice low, but each word seed to resonate through the hall. He crossed his arms, the weight of his presence silencing the conversations around him.
Strax maintained his relaxed posture, but his eyes glowed with vigilance. He knew he was facing soone of high status, possibly one of the clan leaders present at the event. Without altering his confident expression, he replied:
"Your son made a mistake, and I acted to correct it. It was that simple."
The man tilted his head as if evaluating Strax's sincerity. He was tall, with neatly combed gray hair and a scar that ran across his jaw, adding a veteran battle-hardened air to his presence.
"That simple?" The man chuckled dryly, but there was no humor in his laugh. He pointed to the body on the floor. "You just killed a mber of my family at a royal event. And you still have the audacity to tell it was sothing trivial?"
Scarlet stepped forward, her presence imdiately commanding respect. "Lord Varlen," she said, her tone firm. "Your son was the aggressor. He disrespected my guest and tried to attack him. Strax rely defended himself. If anyone is to bla for this tragedy, it's Darius, for his recklessness."
Varlen's eyes narrowed, but he did not dare challenge Scarlet directly. She was a legendary figure among vampires, and her authority was unquestionable. Still, he was not willing to let the matter rest so easily.
"That may be true, Lady Scarlet," he replied, his voice more restrained but still heavy with emotion. "But the blood of my lineage has been spilled. That cannot be ignored."
Strax tilted his head slightly, his cold smile returning. "Then attack ." Strax challenged the man, "Strike, and we'll settle this the right way. The Strongest is always right. That's how the world works, isn't it?"
Varlen, his face flushed with rage, could no longer tolerate the provocation. His body moved quickly, and a black blade, forged from pure vampiric energy, appeared in his hands. His eyes were filled with fury and a thirst for vengeance, a fla that consud him as he charged toward Strax.
"I'll finish you!" he snarled, his heavy steps making the floor tremble as he advanced. The blade in his hand glowed with a dark aura, vampiric energy leaking from his fingers as he attacked with impressive speed, aiming directly for Strax's neck.
But Strax remained calm and relaxed, as if ti had slowed down for him. He made no effort to directly defend himself, his gaze remaining cold and calculating. When Varlen's blade was inches from his neck, Strax leaned slightly to the side, dodging with disarming ease.
"The strongest, Varlen. That's the ga. If you want to accept your vengeance, at least try to hit first," Strax mocked, amusent evident in his voice.
Varlen, furious, tried again. His body moved almost frenetically, the scent of blood and vengeance hanging in the air as he attacked with uncontrollable fury. But each of Varlen's strikes was quickly dodged by Strax, who remained untouchable, as if playing with the man, not even making an effort to defend himself with more than a simple movent.
When Varlen made a diagonal slash, attempting to surprise Strax, he crouched, sliding to the side and making Varlen's blade cut only the air. "You really think this kind of attack would affect , Varlen? You're slower than you seem."
Varlen, now panting and exhausted, couldn't hide his frustration. His body was covered in sweat, and the muscles that had been strong enough to cut down an ordinary man were beginning to tremble from lack of endurance. Every ti he tried to strike, Strax simply avoided him with ease, almost as if he were toying with him.
"You're nothing more than an animal, without honor," Varlen shouted, attempting another lunge but missing once again. "Nothing but a monster who uses his strength to humiliate others!"
Strax took a step back, looking at Varlen with disdain. "Honor? I'm not here to play the gas of the old world. You want honor? Try surviving an attack first. Try, Varlen."
He moved with such grace that it seed he was floating, while Varlen kept falling deeper into error, his anger making him even more blind and reckless. Strax knew he wasn't dealing with a worthy adversary, but he took the opportunity to showcase his superiority, savoring the power radiating from him.
"Don't make waste my ti, Varlen. Leave before I lose interest," Strax said, his voice cold and unhurried, as if he were enjoying the display of strength from the vampire.
Varlen, completely drained, paused, his eyes burning with rage and humiliation. He had been utterly dominated, his attempt for revenge mocked before everyone present. The vampires around watched with wide eyes, so beginning to murmur amongst themselves, impressed by Strax's skill.
In a final desperate effort, Varlen attempted an unexpected move. With a scream of rage, he made an upward slash, aiming for Strax's chest. But before the motion could complete, Strax leaped away with an agile jump, disappearing for a mont and reappearing behind Varlen.
"It's over," Strax murmured, and with a simple motion of his hand, he made Varlen's blood vibrate violently, forcing him to lose strength in his legs. The pressure was so intense that the vampire collapsed to the ground, gasping, unable to move.
That was enough. No more was needed. Varlen was defeated, humiliated, and unable to continue. Strax looked at him, a malicious smile still on his face.
"You did your best, but it's not enough. Now, you better step back before you lose more than you already have, Varlen. Don't forget… next ti, it won't be so easy."
The vampires around, still in silence, seed utterly stunned by what had just happened. The energy in the air was tense, and everyone knew that a line had been crossed. But Strax, with his absolute confidence, didn't care about the impact his display had caused.
He looked at Scarlet, who was watching the scene with a subtle smile on her face. "I told you, didn't I?"
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