[Flashback – Years Ago, The Grand Cathedral of Light]
Golden rays shone through stained glass, casting vibrant holy patterns on the marble floors. Richard stood alone before the high altar. Two figures faced him: the Pope in white and gold robes, and Archbishop Halric Marev, dressed in violet with an emblem of the sunburst over his chest.
Pope Adrian: "You've proven yourself more than capable, Richard. You could do so much more in service to God."
Halric (smiling calmly): "Join us. With your strength, we could crush evil—all of it. A world without fear."
Richard: "I'll think about it."
He turned, the cold light of the holy sigil reflecting in his eyes. But there was no warmth in his gaze. Just distance.
[Present – Zen, City Lord's Mansion]
Halric (voice low, eyes wide in disbelief): "…It's you. The hunter who spat in the face of salvation. I never forgot you."
Richard stepped forward from the shadows, dropping the poison needle he caught earlier.
Richard (cold): "Back then, you were Archbishop. What are you now?"
Halric: "Cardinal Halric Marev. Chosen voice of the Divine Order."
Richard: "So that's how far you've fallen."
Halric (stepping forward, voice trembling with conviction): "No. I've risen. I found the truth. The real will of God. We are to join with the children of the night. On the Day of the Black Sun, judgment will descend. Non-believers will burn. The faithful will rise."
Richard: "So you sold out humanity… to save your own skin."
Halric (shaking his head): "I offered them purity. Order. A world cleansed of chaos. And you… you still have time. Join us. Stand beside us at the gates as we watch the new world reborn."
Richard let out a sigh, scratching the back of his neck.
Richard: "See, this is why I never joined your little cult. But now… I've got a much better reason."
He drew his blade. The blue flames licked across its edge with a quiet, angry hiss.
Halric (stepping back): "Then I'm afraid you must die here."
The female vampire struck without warning.
Her body blurred, launching a flurry of devastating strikes—shadow jabs, serrated claws, blood needles aimed for his heart and eyes. She moved like a phantom, swift and deadly.
But Richard was beyond her speed. Each of her attacks missed by mere inches, leaving only the sound of wind and flame in their wake.
In one blink, she was sure she had him—her claws driving down toward his chest.
Then she froze.
He was above her—upside-down, flame trailing behind him.
Her thoughts raced.
How…? When did he get above me?
My arms… where—?
I don't feel… anything."
He wasn't fighting me. He was just… ending me.
Richard slashed through her in mid-air.
A torrent of blue fire ignited her body as she crumbled into ash, never even hitting the ground.
Silence fell.
Halric dropped to his knees, crawling backwards, sweat soaking his rich robes.
Halric (voice breaking): "Please—mercy! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything about the Black Sun!"
Richard (stepping forward): "Then talk."
Just as Halric opened his mouth to speak—
Thwick!
A black needle pierced his heart. He convulsed, eyes wide, mouth twitching. His body spasmed violently, then collapsed. Dead.
Richard turned sharply.
From the corner shadows of the hallway, a figure emerged. A woman. Pale as moonlight, dressed in elegant black with blood-red accents. Her silver hair shimmered like silk. Her eyes were sharp—and disturbingly soft.
She smiled.
Not with menace, but with fondness.
Richard (gritting his teeth): "…So you're still alive."
Vampire Woman (gentle, with almost loving sarcasm): "Of course I am. We still have… unfinished business, Richard."
The air chilled.
He stepped forward, fire crackling around his gauntlets.
She raised a finger to her lips and winked.
Vampire Woman: "Till we meet again."
Her form began to dissolve into mist—leaving behind only drifting black particles, the faint scent of scorched velvet, and a storm of memories Richard wished he could bury.
Richard clenched his jaw, the silence pressing on his chest.
Then he turned to the window, then jumped out of the mansion.
End of Chapter 16