Sixth Bloodline [BxB]

CHAPTER 33: ESCAPE [HE STILL UNDERESTIMATED FLAME]

cHAptEr 33:

EscApE

[HE stiLL UndErEstimAtEd His LittLE fLAmE]

WHY DID they come now?

Mikhael finished dressing in just few seconds — and considering how he always puts his stuff in the void, he didn't have to pack anything else.

Ethan, on the other hand wasn't as lucky. He continued to take things before throwing it in his own void as Mikhael stood guard in front of the window. But then, not having anyone else to do, he began to store Ethan's clothes as well — he learned his lesson by never having any.

Ethan only raised an eyebrow.

Whatever.

"They aren't moving," he said, "They must be that waiting for more people or something."

Down there in the crowd of vampires and W.E.R.P. agents, Mikhael recognized few familiar faces. Marian was in lead with Krull and Maléna behind talking with two guys from Hunters HQ.

Those two both wore black clothes with a golden insignia of an eagle on their sleeves — the symbol representing hunters. Golden color is something only Esteemed Seats had while others had silver or none at all — depending on their ranks. One guy had two guns attached to his holster while other had two silver whips; dual weapons as usual.

When it comes to hunters, they too have few ranks from trainee to Esteemed Seats, depending on their battle proves or ability to wield and resonate with AV weapons. Their hierarchy was quite similar to vampires too.

Though, that's a story for another time.

Mikhael didn't understand; to have sent the third and fourth after him... What were they thinking? He could also see eleventh to eighteenth behind them, he also understands why the First one isn't with them, but how could they afford to send half of their elites after Mikhael?

Are they too bored? Don't they have work to do?

As expected, it really was Mikhael's previous boss that made a move. No one else would be able to mobilize this amount of hunters after him, nor make deals with W.E.R.P. and Purebloods.

"Let's go," Ethan finished packing what he had to. There weren't many important things in his bedroom, but they'll have to go to his study instead.

"What's the situation out there?" He asked without checking himself.

"They are still talking, they either underestimate us or are certain that they can catch me. Ten Esteemed Seats out of which are two immortal humans, Marian and W.E.R.P., I don't see your family, though," Amelia wasn't here either, but considering what happened with Cera, she probably took her away.

Ran away...

So Amelia did know, he could no longer avoid it.

He was wrong, she didn't plan to catch him at all, but she did know that they made a move against him. They came here just to take Cera away, but even so — they both threw away three centuries of friendship and didn't bother to warn him.

"The chances are high that Dominique won't appear now," he added following after Ethan, at the same time taking his two guns out of his void. On top of that, he pulled out a belt with whole package of red talismans attached to it.

It would perhaps be better if he didn't or Mikhael would seriously disregard everything and try to bring him down.

"We need to leave Eden," Ethan nodded, "Because of the Blue Death, I previously scattered my men all around and out of the city — but it's precisely because of that that Constantine got a chance to surround us. He most likely won't target me, but it won't be a problem to keep me trapped in here."

Mikhael could understand that much.

"But what about the corpses underground?"

"Well return before they act up. For now we need to hide outside, but Constantine can say whatever he wants and inconvenience us. Not to mention that we need to keep the one behind Blue Death and that witch trapped — if they manage to get out, things will get really nasty."

"We won't fight?"

Even now, the two refused that the person behind Blue Death is a vampire. Constantine is crazy for power, but not that crazy. Even he would die because of that virus.

"Can't. Too many opponents and it's only the two of us," Constantine might've already told others something to turn them against Mikhael and himself. It's most likely about Mikhael's deeds in New York.

"If we're going to break through, then it's possible," Mikhael also wasn't confident in dealing with three factions at the same time either. If the barrier was made according to his original plans, then he could successfully keep his enemies outside of Eden, and they could stay here. But Ethan said that their function was changed after Gai finished them, so it won't do.

He also didn't want to let them have their way either.

"Let's run towards the pillar I fixed," Mikhael decided, "I can do something about it."

He pulled out the black talisman and put it among the red ones before attaching his belt on. He still didn't understand why that crazy old man decided to send him ten black talismans.

Did he fear that hunting Mikhael would be too boring?

"How much?" ...can you inconvenience them?

Mikhael understood what he wanted to ask. Don't ask him how. He just did.

"Purebloods and half-bloods will be able to leave that place, but it will take them some time. On the other hand, those Hunters... Heh, to have sent half of your strongest men after me, see if I don't make your heart bleed in anger!"

He'll keep them in the city full of vampires without letting them out, see if they can have peaceful days after this!?

"Good," Ethan smiled. He was well aware that Mikhael held grudges, why would he always bite him after s*x if he didn't? He didn't find anything wrong with this, they were the first to abandon Mikhael and wanted to kill him, why should he show some mercy now?

"Also, let's use the two talismans I've given you," Mikhael added, "You... That way, you won't have to kill your way out of this city."

He didn't want to see Ethan kill his own kind.

Ethan only nodded, his lips weakly pulled upwards in a smile. Hearing that Mikhael cared for him, he almost forgot about their predicament. If they weren't preparing to run away, he would've trapped him on the wall and begun to kiss — but he needed to keep his mind clear.

They finally arrived in front of his office, but there was a guard standing in front of it. Yet before Mikhael could even act, Ethan stepped out and wrung his head immediately killing him, not an ounce of hesitation on his face. As the guard's body turned into dust, Mikhael shivered while watching his confused eyes become ash.

"I'm not that good of a person, Flame. I'll kill when I have to," Ethan was protective of his kind, but that's only if they weren't his enemies. This guard wasn't one of his men, he knew every single vampire that worked for him in this city.

'Good. What a good brother you are, Constantine!'

Ethan was busy for only three days and now even the people in his own house were no longer his! That bastard really we went all out this time.

Entering his study, Ethan went to his deck before moving the chair next to it away. He touched the floor before finding an opening and pressing down. The moment he did that, the part on the floor moved to the side revealing a metal lid with black screen in the middle. Mikhael curiously glanced at it before rolling his eyes.

Rich people.

Completely disregarding the fact that he was also rich.

Ethan bit the tip of his finger before letting blood drop on that black screen which immediately scanned it. After few more seconds, the screen split as the metal lid began to part open, Mikhael only saw Ethan take two wooden boxes from inside and stack of papers before standing up.

He was really curious to see what he took, ah!

Ethan didn't hesitate any longer as he took Mikhael's hand in his, dragging him downstairs — the later could only sigh dejectedly and follow without a word. Whenever Ethan saw someone, he'd kill without a word, not letting Mikhael deal with them at all. He was serious when he said back then that Mikhael won't kill anymore.

The other guy only stared at the hand Ethan was pulling, only he could see that the number "27" changed to "24" now. It made him feel complicated, but...

He shouldn't have been so hasty earlier. If he used that talisman now, Einz would already be here and help them. But he didn't calculate to have Ethan on his side — if only he knew...

Forget it.

He'll deal with it once he runs out of time. If Ethan is still willing to stay with him once they finished with this entire mess, then he will take him along. Those three shouldn't be against Mikhael taking Ethan along, especially if they learn about their Blood Contract.

As to whether Mikhael should tell Ethan everything or not...

That too, he'll let the time tell.

Finally reaching the entrance, Ethan took out those two black talisman Mikhael have him before putting them in his pocket. Holding them tightly with one hand, he firmly grasped Mikhael's hand before raising it towards his lips. Then he gently kissed it, as if reassuring him that everything will be fine.

Or maybe was he consoling himself instead? Ethan wasn't sure.

He didn't know how much Constantine prepared for this. It would be for the best if he thought that Mikhael didn't say anything to Ethan yet — that way he won't be as guarded against him. But he still went ahead and changed Ethan's guards — or could it be that he has something else in store for Ethan?

Luckily, Mikhael told him everything and prepared those two talismans ahead of time.

Mikhael only smiled before opening the doors, since Ethan's hands were both busy.

The moment they noticed two people coming outside, humans raised their weapons as the vampires stood alert.

Despite being surrounded, Ethan walked confidently like he owned the place — which he technically did — with one hand in his pocket and other holding onto Mikhael. He didn't give away the slightest indication that he was panicked, making those around him relax a bit.

"What are you guys doing?"

It did seem like he merely came out just to ask what's going on. Mikhael, on the other sweated and cursed Ethan in his head.

What the f**k are YOU doing?

He mentally prepared to run the moment they came out, yet this guy casually began to stroll around and chat with their enemies! Mikhael simply didn't get this guy.

Marian raised his hand to hold back his agents as he stepped out with those two guys from W.E.R.P.

"Your Majesty," he began, yet Ethan cut him off.

"I believe we already had this conversation once," he referred to that time when Marian wanted to take Mikhael away.

Marian opened his mouth, but then sighed in relief. Good, it seems like he doesn't know why we're here.

"And who are you? Since when could hunters roam in my city as they pleased? Without even mentioning their arrival beforehand? And you..." he turned to vampires. He didn't say anything to them, only exuded pressure from his blood to bring them to their knees. Then he turned back to W.E.R.P. and hunters.

"Aren't you slapping my face with your actions right now? Even going as far as to surround my house? If I didn't know better, I'd say that you wanted to catch and kill me? Is humanity finally making a move on us Purebloods?" As he said that, his smile grew larger while everyone else stilled. The tension between the two and everyone else was so thick that you could cut though it with a knife, and it took a while before someone actually dared to speak.

Mikhael only gave praise to Ethan, this guy should've went to movie industry! His ability to feign ignorance is too OP! But Ethan, my good brother, why aren't we running away yet!?

"Lord Sixth, you must be joking," it was the Third Seat who spoke — he pulled out two letters from his pocket, "Under direct orders of our Leader and the Vampire King, we beseech you to hand over Mikhael who is currently under suspicion for murdering the Seventh Pureblood and massacring over five hundred million innocent habitats of New York city, together with other no-so-minor crimes."

As he held out those two letters and Ethan glared at them, the temperature around them seems to have dropped to an almost unbearable degree. Mikhael, who saw that Ethan still continued to act decided to help, so as if finally recalling something, he pretended to be afraid and took a step back.

If you can't beat them, join them!

As everyone's eyes shifted to Mikhael, Ethan finally seemed to have understood what those words entailed as he tightened his grip on Mikhael's hand, rooting him in one place. Ethan slowly turned his head as his ice-cold gaze landed on Mikhael's frightened form, but inside he was admiring how cute the later party looked acting like that.

Mn, perfect for bullying.

"Mikhael?" He even went as far as to use his real name!

"I... Ethan, I..." Hm, what to say now? Surprisingly, earlier when he realized that Ethan knew about it, Mikhael intended to apologize and all, but now...

What do people normally say in this situation?

"I didn't... Please trust me, I..." Nothing. Deny everything! Ask for forgiveness! Saying too much will make it sound too fake.

Ethan's hand coiled like a snake before grabbing his neck and lifting him up, but only the two knew that other than being uncomfortable, there wasn't any strength behind that movement.

"You killed Dante!?"

At the same time he said that, Constantine and Samuel appeared with others — excluding Dominique and Amelia. Ethan waited for this moment, he didn't want to make a move while not knowing where other Purebloods hid. But now that Constantine was sure that Ethan made a move against Mikhael and appeared, he was free to act and run.

"No... It can't be..." Diana was in denial, but the gaze she gave Mikhael contained crazed killing intent not even confusion could wipe away, "It was you!"

The moment she stepped out to take Mikhael from Ethan's hands and beat him up, the later "angrily" threw Mikhael in the air — but if one looked carefully, it appeared like he was pushing him away rather than starting a fight. At the same time, he pulled out those two talismans and activated them the way Mikhael told him before.

"Equip!"

For a moment, time seemed to stop. Out of nowhere, a raging thunder descended from the clear sky before enveloping Ethan completely. The blinding light made already confused crowd unable to see nor move before it dissipated, revealing a somewhat bizarre sight from within.

Ethan who bore direct brunt of that thunder didn't seem to have a single scratch on his body, yet the thunder happily danced around him as if he was their God, the ground completely charred and black. His legs, however, were the only thing different about him.

From his feet all the way to his hips, there was some odd golden enchantment cracking with purple thunder that somewhat resembled a beasts legs. Armaments — the ultimate weapons of spell-casters and half-bloods.

It's originally the ability half-bloods blood could give, but spell-casters eventually found a way to create their own way of enchanting their bodies.

However, in this case, Mikhael really outdid himself by creating it from both talisman with the blood of a half-blood.

The armaments made Ethan's legs seem a bit longer as well, but he didn't have the time to inspect nor get used to his new legs before he kicked out the ground towards Mikhael who was still flying in the air, catching up to him in less than a millisecond, then continuing to carry him in the air until he was no longer in anyone's sight.

As if on cue, the charred ground he kicked off from earlier turned to rubble, swallowing those who were too stunned to act — not even the Purebloods were exemption to this case.

And although it takes some time to explain all that, everything from the moment he activated those talismans to disappearing happened in a blink of eye. By the time the Purebloods acted — their forces were already trapped under the ruble.

"f**k!" Constantine cursed as he escaped from that place, staring at direction where the two fled.

Diana followed absentmindedly before looking at him, her face pale.

"Why?"

Why did he help Mikhael even after learning what the other guy did?

Constantine cursed Ethan in his head once again, it would appear that he already knew the truth. But...

"Maybe he didn't trust us? That vampire by his side seems to be really good with his mouth, maybe he already told him another story that made Ethanasios trust him instead?" He couldn't lose Diana, not when Dominique disappeared somewhere and Diana always protected Ethan. If he could get her to his side as well... What are the other two worth?

Both worked alone while he had four Purebloods on his side — finally, the tides have changed.

It won't be long before he's crowned as a Vampire Prince. Although there were seven Purebloods, there wasn't a chosen inheritor for the King yet — it's the reason why they fought among each other so much. The King also had no blood descendants — and never will — not to mention that it's impossible to become a new Vampire King while this one is still alive, so they had to settle for the position of Vampire Prince.

After all those years and all machinations, he can't afford more mistakes and let Ethan live. As for Dominique... What is he worth right now?

"We'll chase them, I refuse to believe that they can get far!"

ON THE other side of Eden, Ethan was still flying in the air from that single jump he previously made. Tightly holding Mikhael in his hands, he had no time to be amazed with his speed which almost made him knock Mikhael earlier and kill him.

Yes, he was that fast.

Ethan couldn't control himself since he used those new legs for the first time, and he almost collided with Mikhael earlier when he tried to catch him. For better or worse, everything around him seemed to be going in a slow motion earlier, and his body was extremely fast doing to being a vampire, so he somehow managed to catch the other party instead of pushing him away.

But Mikhael was currently in a daze.

As for direction where they headed, it was naturally towards the pillar Mikhael fixed before.

Once he finally began to lose aptitude and descend on the ground, Ethan realized that he already crossed a third of their escape route just from that single leap.

He still underestimated his power, though.

The moment his feet touched the ground, the shock-wave from the force destroyed everything in a radius of few miles! Luckily, people here were all vampires, so instead of killing them, the shock-wave from his landing only knocked them in the air and hurt few when they fell.

He didn't hesitate to jump once again despite his surprise, further ruining the ground — unaware that he also destroyed quite the number of corpses under the city with his action. Ethan knew Eden like the back of his pocket — even if he saw the area they ended up in and it was destroyed, he still knew exactly where they are.

When he landed for the second time he still created the shockwave — but this one only destroyed everything around a single mile and he got better understanding of his power now. Ethan was quite old and powerful, if he couldn't grasp a new ability, then what good is he?

As expected of genius, by the time he landed the third time and in front of the pillar — other than creating a gust of air that swept everyone away, he only made a slight dent in the ground.

Looking back in direction of his castle and then at dazed Mikhael in his arms, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Ten seconds.

It only took him ten seconds to cross half Eden — since his castle was in the center of the city if one didn't count the mountains behind it and not feel tired at all.

"Flame?"

Ah, he also snatched the two letters as he activated the talismans back there. It was why he threw away Mikhael, since he had no free arm to spare.

If Mikhael knew that it was just because of that problem that he was shaken silly, he would probably had beaten Ethan himself.

'What free hands! What am I to you? I could've snatched them away too!'

But some things are better unsaid out loud.

For now, Mikhael was trying to stand on his own legs. One needs to know that Mikhael was first grasped by throat, thrown in the air, blinded with thunder, then dragged for few thousand miles in just ten seconds!

If nothing else, this time he wasn't thrown over shoulders, Ethan showed some mercy and carried him like a princess — but better something than nothing.

"Damn, I need to throw up!" He probably would've, but for better or worse, Ethan has kept him busy for three days so he had nothing to throw up.

"..."

Ethan decided to hold Mikhael for a bit longer in that case. He really looked pitiful with his legs shaking.

Ethan stored those two letters in his void before lifting Mikhael back in his arms, then continued to stroll towards the pillar. Because of the armaments on his legs, Ethan was taller than before, and even when casually walking, he was so fast than one needed to run just to catch up to him.

"But..."

He was quite surprised.

He expected more fighting while he ran away, but it seems like Mikhael wasn't joking when he praised his creation.

Even though Mikhael felt dizzy, he still knew what he had to do. He would have normally complained with Ethan holding him, but in this case, he didn't have strength to.

And he had to admit... Being carried around and not having to use his own legs, it also had a special charm for a lazy person such as himself.

"How fast can you finish this?" Ethan asked as he held him with one hand and used another to take out his phone. Searching through his contacts, he found few Nobles he trusted and added them to a group chat before explaining his current situation.

"Five minutes, buy me five minutes," Mikhael grit his teeth as Ethan cane right under the pillar.

"More than enough," he smiled as he began to type. If his men can't get out of Eden in five minutes, they should be able to hide inside then. Don't underestimate phones of twenty-second century and their ability to notify people. Just because he's a vampire doesn't mean that Ethan won't use one.

Vampires in their vicinity only gossiped with hushed voices, but no one dared to actually come closer. Ethan sighed, at least he won't have to attack and kill more than necessary. They probably didn't expect them to come this far, so they didn't leave anyone to guard the pillars. Those people were all his men, Ethan told them to run from Eden or hide until he returns, making them leave from here.

Finishing what he had to do, he calmly waited on side as Mikhael took out that black talisman before sticking it to the pillar.

As always, he bit his finger drawing few drops of blood before it healed and then began to draw complex symbols on talisman. Unlike other times when he only limited symbols to the surface of paper, this time he continued to draw out if it onto the pillar. Ethan curiously glanced at it and watched him draw, pause, bite his finger again and continue to draw.

He was about to ask to give his own blood instead, but then he noticed someone approaching from the distance.

Up in the sky, enormous bird with people approached.

"I'll be right back," he recognized it as one of Diana's familiars — but he didn't have a luxury of showing mercy.

Although he knew that he'll hurt her if he attacks, he still had to.

While the bird was still approaching in the air with Purebloods and half-bloods on its backs, Ethan jumped once again towards it, but something unexpected happened after he made his move.

Although the bird was fast, Ethan was faster.

Before it could even notice Ethan and evade, the later was already in front of it preparing to kick. Even though Mikhael warned him about its power, he still used all strength he had to kick it. Then, it was gone.

A familiar weighting over a tone was gone without a single trace left just like that.

Ethan kicked it so strong that it flew back with speed impossible to follow - even with his vampire eyes.

"It's ready, let's go!"

But he had no time to think about it as Mikhael called out to him. He thought that he might even be able to fight other Purebloods now, but seeing the pillar exude odd crimson light and Mikhael's tired face, he couldn't stay to ponder on it before flashing next to the other guy and grabbing him.

The already transparent barrier around Eden suddenly fluctuated with the same crimson light before it spread out to the nearby two pillars and so on. When it reached the last pillar, it paused for a moment - making it look like it failed, but it the next last second it continued like nothing ever happened. Then the barrier rapidly began to solidify as odd crimson runes began to spread onto it like a virus starting from eight pillars at the speed visible to a naked eye.

Seeing that it was about to disappear, Ethan quickly carried Mikhael in between the two closest pillars where the barrier hasn't solidified yet, successfully passing thought in the last moment. Even he was amazed with how fast Mikhael's spell worked.

What he didn't know, the slight pause when the spell looked like it was about to fail earlier, it was all due to the familiar he kicked away earlier. At the moment Mikhael's spell reached the last barrier on opposite end of Eden, the familiar finally reached that point before slamming into it.

Luckily for the two, Mikhael's pillars were quite sturdy so the force from the impact didn't destroy them, and it kept the Purebloods inside the city. It still left a new dent on its surface he'll have to fix later, though...