Fuck my body hurts.

  That was the first thought that crossed my mind when my eyes finally sputtered open.

  Eyes that opened to unfamiliar sights.

  I was laying in a bed in a room I didn’t recognize. And it only took a moment for all the memories of everything that recently transpired to come flooding back to me.

  We ran into two Core Formation vamps. I said the V-word and the presence descended, said a few things and then vanished.

  I don’t know if I expected him…or it? Not sure, but I don’t know if I expected it to kill the Vamps for me, but I’m thankful for the fact it left them weakened at the minimum.

  So weak that its only know that I’m realizing the Vamps never said a word, nor did they activate any abilities or techniques that I’m sure they possessed.

  All they used were physical attacks from what I remember.

  And after dodging and barely scraping past potentially fatal attacks long enough to gather the required power for a strong enough attack, I fired it off and a massive explosion ensued.

  From there I just remember seeing a black, a bright flash of red and then…nothing.

  Now I’m here. In this room.

  After sitting up in the bed and looking down at my body, it perfectly explained what I was doing there.

  I wasn’t wearing a shirt at the moment and I could still see the ghastly wounds left in my body.

  Holes in my chest that were closed but the skin was dark and it looked as if it could open at any moment.

  The hole in my abdomen matched the state of the ones in my chest, only it was far larger, and it hurt far more.

  I should probably avoid attacks like that for a bit.

  Knock Knock

  A light knock sounded at the door followed by the voice of Frian.

  “Patriarch. May we enter?”

  “Enter.”

  The door opened and the boys walked into the room. I guess this is all the confirmation I needed that they were also alive. Especially since their bodies didn’t seem to be covered in wounds like mine was.

  That’s a good thing.

  “What happened after my attack?”

  The boys looked toward each other for a moment before Lirian decided to speak.

  It was always interesting to witness their silent communication to decide who would talk.

  “Patriarch. While we did our best to fight off the other Core Formation Cultivator, a loud explosion ensued nearby and everything around us seemed to darken to the point that we couldn’t see for a split moment.

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  “It seemed as if the world paused for a moment, but then the explosion seemed to unleash a roar that it was holding in and nothing but destruction followed.

  “The veil you…conjured disappeared along with the commencement of the explosion and then the opponent we were fighting exploded with untold power. Rushing towards its companion and forming some sort of shield made out of blood to block the explosion.

  “A bright flash of red and black spread throughout the area. The members of the Ash Guard and even Frian and I were pushed away by the force of the blast.

  “By the time we regained our bearings and all of the smoke from the blast cleared, the area was truly devasted.

  “A large crater was created and three individuals lied within.

  “Your unconscious body which was spilling blood from seemingly everywhere. A mangled form of one of the Cultivators. Still alive, but missing an arm, and was covered in what would’ve been fatal wounds for anyone weaker.

  “The other one, was only lightly injured. Just a few burns that showed no signs of healing. We were all prepared to jump into the crater to fight to the death to retrieve you Patriarch but we didn’t get the opportunity.

  “All of the noise attracted the attention of the Nascent Soul Seniors we arrived it. One of them appeared in the sky and before anyone could blink, your body was gathered while the two enemies were turned to mincemeat.

  “It…was not a pretty sight.

  “From there a building was found to place you in and one of the Seniors worked to heal you. Members of the Ash Guard, myself and Frian, and all 10 Seniors we arrived with then stood guard around the entire building.

  “Word was sent back to Black Cove City before long and about 1000 individuals came over. Any Vhampryls remaining near the City are being hunted and killed without mercy. That is everything that took place since your attack Patriarch.”

  So even with all that I gave up, and the fact the vamp was weakened all I did was manage to severely injure it huh. Weakness really is a curse.

  But Its good that the boys and the Ash Guard weren’t affected by that blast. Looking back…I didn’t factor their locations in at all when I let the attack off so they could’ve easily been caught in it.

  That’s a mistake, definitely doesn’t align wit the control that Elder Zal has preached to me all this while.

  …but even then, I don’t know if I had much choice considered the gap between our power.

  “Thank you Lirian. How long was I out?”

  “Just a day Patriarch.”

  A day huh…not the worst outcome.

  “And the locals? Is the City Lord alive? Or the people from the Mavelia Merchant Union?”

  “They are alive. Both parties are waiting to meet with you.”

  “Any other updates I’ve missed?”

  “Yes Patriarch. Black Cove City and the surrounding areas are fully secure, and word came back from the Frost Dungeon, they were attacked as well, but the report said Jrino went on a rampage. There were no casualties. Senior Scalera has other updates for you regarding the interrogation and the ships.”

  A lot happened while I was out. Far too much. I a day wasn’t too bad, but things were being held up because of me it seems.

  But it’s good none of the news was negative. I guessed Jrino was a capable fighter but it seems he finally got to stretch his legs after a while.

  Though something about all of this is bothering me.

  We rebuffed the initial attack…what now? I hope the interrogation will be able to give us information, because something just isn’t right here.

  It is unfortunate that people died in both Cities, but for the most part we are fine. It doesn’t feel like a war at all.

  Something is missing.

  No use in worrying, have to take things in stride.

  “Alright thank you Lirian, you did good. You too Firan. For now go call Scal-”

  ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

  A CORE SACRIFICE HAS BEEN INITIATED ON THIS PLANET

  ALL LIFE WILL CEASE UPON COMPLETION

  TIME TILL SACRIFICE – To be Determined

  All life will cease upon completion of the core sacrifice…

  I feel like I jinxed it.

  Anyway, I suppose that’s what was missing from all of this. And the time till it completes is tbd…

  “Boys were going back to the Black Cove City immediately. Send word to the City Lord and the Mavelia Merchant Union to join us over there. Send one of the Nascent Soul Infernals to fetch Jrino.

  “In the meantime where is Scalera?”

  I was already standing and dressing myself, ignoring the pain in my body as I asked that question, only to see Scalera appear in the room with her head bowed.

  “You called for me Patriarch.”

  “The interrogation report. I need it now.”