Sixth Bloodline [BxB]

CHAPTER 62: CHILDREN OF NIGHT [THEIR SANCTUARY]

cHAptEr 62:

cHiLdrEn Of nigHt

[tHEir sAnctUArY]

   PERHAPS THEIR luck was too good, but Mikhael and Ethan didn't meet anyone on their road to Vatican this time either. Right now, aside from those battlefields where the conflicts is apparent, it was rare to see people on the streets.

Both vampires and humans.

It's always easier to fight when there aren't many people to target — after all.

The other reason might have to do something with their modified car that went over 650 km/h, so even if someone wanted to attack them, they'd first have to be able to catch them. After an hour or so of tinkering with the car, Ethan finally got used to driving it at that speed without hitting anything on the road.

And since there weren't many cars nor people on the streets, it was much easier to drive this abnormal vehicle.

The two of them had their own share of fights, though — since boredom often led to Ethan poking Mikhael's sore spot or the other provoking the former.

At one point of time, when they came inside a city full of rubble on the road, Mikhael was so annoyed that he eventually added a levitating talisman to the car so they simply flew over it. There was another instance when he felt like driving on the ground was too boring, so he modified the car to be able to go over the surface of water.

Ethan didn't say anything against that idea — as the driver, he too was bored from looking at the same scene all the time. If not for those casual arguments he had with Mikhael, he'd probably be bored to death.

At least Mikhael had enough time to draw more talismans or sleep — he however, as a working class — didn't have that luxury.  So that little bit of entertainment of driving on water or in the air was more than welcome in his case.

But the two didn't go straight to Vatican — in the middle of the ride, when Mikhael saw a road sign for France, he suddenly urged Ethan to turn the car and go over there instead. Ethan who was in the middle of flying over the building could only listen to the little big boss and follow through with his wishes, without asking why.

According to the information Mikhael got, the Pope will appear in one week's time, so they had time to drop by France for a while.

   'With this... Can it even be called a car at this point?'

Anyway, with this car they traveled, ignoring geographic borders and roads, it was simply impossible to not arrive in time.

Mikhael even mentioned that he'll add some teleportation talismans into the mix if they really need them, so Ethan — who was quite curious about appearing with car in the middle of nowhere, decided to leave everything to Mikhael. In fact, he even looked forward to being late just so that he can experience it.

Thus, across the internet not many could gain access to, began to spread few odd pictures or two priests driving a car up the building and so...

It didn't take more than one day to arrive in France.

Unlike Egypt, the streets here was not troublesome to drive through in the middle of night, so Ethan didn't stop at all, other than making a break to stretch out his bones and get some food for Mikhael.

Convenience stores were long closed due to war, and if someone was really hungry, they'd have to go out and risk their lives to obtain food. To Ethan, that didn't pose much of a problem. Entering a nearby gas station, he paused for a single second after sensing a human presence.

   "Three..." There were indeed three humans in this place, but Ethan didn't bother with them.

He came inside before searching for some food. In the end, since most of it has been taken away, he only ended up with bottle of water, cup noodles and some snacks.

   "He'll do with those..." Ethan will simply resort to feeding him with blood if he gets hungry after this.

Ethan has been avoiding the worst places when driving the car earlier. As a Pureblood, he naturally had his own information network — especially when it comes to places where blood was spilled. Although it sounded somewhat silly, Ethan did his best to hide those sights from Mikhael's eyes — perhaps, so that he won't be swallowed in the grief of this world.

It was one naive idea.

Too naive considering Ethan's nature.

But still...

Like a moth drawn to flame, Ethan chose to blindly act for his sake, knowing well that he won't be able to change anything. When was it that he last wanted to do something for someone else's sake without gaining anything in return?

Him taking care of Dante was simply because he didn't want to ruin the pandemonium between other Purebloods and because he doesn't have to expend any effort to protect him. As long as Dante doesn't make a move against him, Ethan won't mind taking care of him. After many years, it simply became natural to protect Dante that he didn't think much of it, but now...

Mikhael was different.

He didn't know him as long as he knew Dante, nor were they related anyhow. Protecting Mikhael when the two met was one thing, but there was no longer a need for it — he was well aware that Mikhael had means of self-protection. Surviving for so long in Underground Necropolis when even Ethan almost lost his life says a lot about his ability as well.

No matter how he looks at it, he has no need to remain entangled with that youth.

He doesn't...

But he feels that he can't let go precisely because he's different than others. He doesn't understand what is it that made him different, but somewhere between than inability to understand and need to get an answer, Ethan felt like he could find that which he lacks.

So he stays by his side.

After taking his portion, Ethan left under the watch of three humans before getting inside the car. Since it was night, Mikhael was still sleeping so he only left the food on the back seat before turning the engine. Mikhael said to go to France, but he didn't say where exactly.

Ethan tapped on the steering wheel before eventually choosing to go to the river back and wait for Mikhael to wake up. He couldn't go to Paris since it's Dominique's territory, and Ethan didn't want to get involved with his siblings right now.

He'd also have a hard time explaining why he wore a priest's robes.

Ethan didn't naively think that the missing needle ended with humans without the help of Purebloods. It's highly possible that one of the Purebloods made a deal with that person to steal the needle — or just helped him escape so that he can experiment on it, and then steal information once he's done with his research.

Could a Pureblood really have a hard time hunting down a spell-caster? Just by going together with a half-blood, no one could escape their watchful eyes — so how come this person got all the way to Vatican despite stealing something so valuable while everyone else died?

Ethan didn't think that it's because of luck.

But who...?

Constantine alone couldn't have done it.

The way humans found out about the vampire race was suspicious as well. So many people in government failed to suppress that information? Not to mention that they all disappeared one by one after this incident?

Ethan spent the entire night thinking about this matter and trying to figure out who all might be involved in this mess. Perhaps, they might all have something to do with this.

Ethan and Dante merely wanted to protect City of Evernight, but the means of protection became a weapon that burned that city down.

   "In the end, was it worth it?" He mused to himself.

   "For the sake of power, was it worth it to ruin with your own hands what you spent your entire lives to build?"

He glanced at Mikhael. For some reason, as he asked that question, he had an urge to glance at Mikhael. The seal on his right eye resurfaced once again as he touched Mikhael's forehead absentmindedly.

   "To be able to see you again, it was definitely worth it," but in the next moment, he regained clarity as he lowered his hand.

Why... Did he reach out to Mikhael?

   "It seems like I'm getting tired," watching the sunrise on the riverbank, Ethan leaned down and closed his eyes. It was unknown what he thought about in that moment, but not long after, he also fell asleep.

   WHEN MIKHAEL opened his eyes that morning, he found to his surprise that Ethan wasn't the one who woke him up. Instead, the other party was soundlessly sleeping on the driver seat, his hand holding Mikhael's.

   "..."

Mikhael couldn't believe this, he often felt like Ethan didn't even know what sleep is, and didn't think that he'd ever get to see him in this state.

He gently poked his arm to check if he was truly asleep, and only after that did Mikhael decide to sneak out.

   "Just perfect," he didn't want to take Ethan with him where he was going. He originally though that he'll have to think of some excuse, but it seems like there's no need to do it now.

Looking around, he was pleasantly surprised to see the familiar riverbank. The place he's headed at shouldn't be too far from here.

With a though, he wrote down a message that he'll be back before the noon before noticing the cup noodles and smiling. He grabbed them as he got out and then added a little inscription to the doors to lock them. It could be opened from the inside, but this one was to make sure no one comes in and kidnaps his future husband while he's sleeping.

Then he added another layer of protective spells around the car in case some random idiots decide to fight in this area and hit the car by accident.

If Ethan was awake at this moment, he'd definitely comment on Mikhael being a diligent, virtuous wife — but fortunately, he had no idea about Mikhael sneaking out while worrying for his sake.

Only when he was sure that Ethan won't get kidnapped or harmed accidentally did Mikhael move away from the car. He took out three teleportation talismans before tearing them altogether before his figure disappeared into a thin air.

He immediately appeared in the middle of nowhere. Surrounded by greenery and a tall wall covered in moss, Mikhael made a set of complicated hand seals before placing his hand on that wall. He waited for few more seconds before suddenly taking s step forward — but he wasn't met with any resistance as he passed through the wall with ease.

Once he got on the other side, it was completely different sight. From the outside, this whole place looked like a hill, but when Mikhael stepped inside, he could clearly see the azure sky above. Just like the outside, this whole place was full of greenery, but the grass here was well maintained and the trees were mostly fruits.

In the middle of this place, there was a simple looking wooden cottage.

One could hear a laughter of children from there, echoing in this valley that was cut off from the outside world. Mikhael subconsciously smiled when he noticed the joyous atmosphere — good, this place hasn't been reached.

They haven't harmed the children here.

As he stepped forward, the doors to the cottage finally opened revealing a young boy with white hair and red eyes.

He was obviously a vampire child — anywhere else in the world they'd be feared and hunted down, but here in this little cottage protected from the outside world, this child could laugh carelessly and show such a pure smile on his face.

When the boy saw Mikhael, his whole body froze. Mikhael only then remembered that he wore that mask, so he took it off and pointed to his own face with a helpless smile.

Those brats, why are they standing there frozen like that? Didn't he teach them to hit intruders with bricks at the very least?

   "Mikhael!" As expected, once he recognized his face, the boy immediately ran towards Mikhael before engulfing him in a big hug. Following after him was another boy with the same white hair and red eyes.

   "Mikhael is back!" He also jumped on Mikhael, and before Mikhael could say anything, around ten more kids excitedly ran towards him. In the end, he couldn't hold his ground when they all jumped on him and ended up falling to the ground. But he didn't feel angry at all, so he only helplessly smiled in face of this assault.

   "Alright, alright — it's me. Was there really a need to break my poor waist like this?"

   "We missed you!"

   "Why do you look like those baddies?"

   "You said you won't come for a long time again!"

   "We want to go out and play with you again!"

   "Yes, you promised you'd take us out!"

   "..."

Mikhael really had no idea what to say when he was showered with all those complaints. The outside world sees those children as monsters, but look at them! Look at those round eyes that held no malice at all — how could they possibly belong to a monster?

   "Alright, alright. I was in the wrong here," he gave up before getting up. The youngest kids still stuck to him so he only grabbed them under each arm and headed inside while the rest circled around Mikhael and asked him about the outside world, notifying him of their various achievements while he was away — competing to see who was better.

Mikhael carefully listened to their every world and threw in a praise or two when he noticed something good, which in turn made them even happier. When he came inside, Mikhael noticed an older kid who unlike other little ones didn't jump in to greet Mikhael, but instead leaned on the wall and waited for him to come inside.

   "We need to talk." He silently mouthed to Mikhael who noticed that something was wrong and have him a nod.

   "Alright, you stinky brats," he turned to the rest of them, "This time I brought some good stuff, so make space!" Hearing his words, their eyes gleamed with happiness before they moved away from him, and he began to take out stuff from his void in batches.

From toys to clothes and tech to local deserts he collected from all over the world, by the time Mikhael pulled out everything he had prepared for those kids over the years, he already filled half the living room. From afar, the cottage looked small — but it was the size of a decent manor. Mikhael made sure that those kids never lacked a thing in this place from the very beginning.

They were also quite sensible and Mikhael would help them hide their identities before taking them out from time to time, also acting like their parental figure.

This batch of kids was the newest one — most of the time, Mikhael was able to find the vampire who turned them and use their blood to suppress their nature as vampires. It was long and arduous process since there usually wasn't a trace of those vampires and Mikhael had to search for a long time — but the number of kids who lived in this place and were allowed to grow properly was over hundred and sixty.

Since when he was aware of his nature, Mikhael sheltered those children who were turned into vampires. Some he could save, but some he couldn't.

In the end, it was a blessing that he found a way to suppress their change and allow them to grow for a bit longer before lifting them live as vampires — and it was all thanks to an odd dagger he got from Einz.

When Einz gave it to him, he told him to use it when going through his Deep Slumber. Some vampires and half-bloods find it hard to suppress their blood and begin the Deep Slumber on their own, which is when Mikhael was to use that dagger. Einz was really worried about this disciple of his, so he prepared a bunch of Armaments that are still collecting dust in his void — never to see the light of the day.

One must know, Einz gave Mikhael five Armaments that have destructive power equal to that of nuclear bombs, seven whole centuries before humanity even invented them!

How can Mikhael use those things now? Whom to bomb!?

   "Alright. The same old rules — finders, keepers. Share the food, though!" Once Mikhael gave his sign, they immediately ignored him and dived in to grab some good stuff, making him roll his eyes.

   "Traitors!"

But he used this chance to slip away and go to that oldest boy.

   "Follow me," he motioned with his hand and Mikhael sighed.

   'Who's the older one here? Why do I have to follow you, you stupid brat?'

But he still did as told.

Ares.

Mikhael met this little guy six centuries ago in Greece. He was 'sacrificed' to some crazy God or whatnot in a rural village who ended up being just a vampire, but Mikhael back then didn't know about how to subdue the change of children vampires. He killed that vampire and met Ares who had been turned at that point — but no matter what, Mikhael just couldn't bring himself to kill this fellow.

Thinking back, Ares should've been the first child Mikhael took in — and he was the oldest vampire in this place. Perhaps since he was so old, but Ares was more mature than other kids and rarely was he influenced by his own blood. Perhaps once in a century, and sometimes it would even be that often.

He was also in possession of six familiars, his power equal to that of Higher Nobles.

Among those Mikhael took in, Ares is the most special case — which is why Mikhael doesn't fear leaving those brats alone for longer periods of time.

   "What happened? Did any of them lose control recently?" Mikhael asked, but Ares shook his head.

   "It would've been better if that's what happened, but situation is more serious than you think," a calm reply, unbefitting an eleven years-looking brat, "What happened on the outside? Third World War?"

Mikhael paused.

   "Even worse. Humanity found out about the existence of night-walkers," but he noticed an oddity, "Did someone come here?"

Ares nodded before leading Mikhael to a room.

   "Something like that. Eleanor, the last girl we took in, she accidentally wandered outside," he began, "There were two vampires fighting in vicinity, and she was attracted to the sound."

   "She was seen?"

   "It doesn't matter, I killed them."

   "..."

   "Sorry, you worked hard," Mikhael rubbed his hair, but Ares only swatted away his hand.

   "Not at all. This isn't really surprising, we had trespassers over the years, so I've gotten used to it by now. We also can't leave witnesses."

Mikhael nodded as he opened the doors, only to see a little girl curled in her bed, eyeing Mikhael carefully. When he took a step forward, she immediately backed away before covering her head.

   "Your clothes."

   "Ah?"

   "Those two weren't the problem. But some two guys who wore exactly the same clothes as you appeared and tried to take her away."

   "..."

   "They were humans. They ignored two heavily injured vampires and aimed for Eleanore instead — it's why I asked if something has happened outside. This doesn't suit the movement of church at all,"  Ares continued and Mikhael only rolled his eyes.

While he was learning to become a hacker for fun back then, this guy who doesn't have much to do went ahead and became the top of the best. He would go and spy on Chirag through surveillance cameras when he has nothing better to do, and Mikhael would often join him for fun. One would be surprised at what kind of secrets happen in Vatican every day.

Coincidentally, Mikhael found out about selection of Pope from Ares back then and decided to join the competition for fun.

   "You didn't spy on the church as of lately, did you?" Mikhael asked and the other guy rolled his eyes.

   "Too busy, NASA was playing around with some alien-like fossils they dug out from the north - probably a familiar or witch's servant. I found them to be more entertaining than the same old church where nothing new happens."

   "..."

He might have made a mistake in raising this brat somewhere.

   "Check it out, it's even better. Did you see that internet became a mess as of lately?"

   "Isn't that just because of humans and spell-casters fighting? They try to limit the access to information — I heard that they were onto something big few years ago, but I was too lazy to check, so I'm not sure. Did someone win already?"

   "..."

He definitely messed up somewhere, alright!

   "Neither. They banded together against vampires. They go around under the name of Neo Humans now, I asked you about this because the new Pope is going to enter some kind of academy where spell-casters train. And I'm about to infiltrate it."

   "You? Where's the location?"

   "Guess!"

   "Vatican?"

   "Exactly. I need your help to dig out some information for me," Mikhael continued as he sat on the bed and uncovered the little girl. She was scared at first, but once she clearly saw Mikhael's face, she curled in his lap instead before falling asleep, "That place has something mine. An Armament that looks like a little needle. It's apparently in that Academy, but I can't be too certain about this. I'm going to steal it back, but..."

   "Alright. Consider it done," Ares added as he opened his own void and threw something to Mikhael. Mikhael caught two silver necklaces with an odd insignia attached to them.

   "I originally wanted to check what happened with those guys for myself, but since you came here — then you should have some better use for those things.  Since you're already going to pretend to be a Protector, use those identity insignias to enter. Just find an accomplice first. I already got rid of the two," Mikhael let out a surprised gasp.

Look at this, it just came in handy.

   "No wonder Shu told me that I looked like an evildoer. Did the other kids see those protectors as well?"

   "Shu was the only one, he was the first to notice that Eleanor was missing so he went to search for her, and I followed after him," Ares replied, "You must've really scared him."

Mikhael also sighed. This was really an odd coincidence.

   "I see. I'll stay for a while to keep the kids a company. I've a companion outside, so I can't stay here for a long time."

   "Can't be trusted?"

   "I can never be too safe with you guys. I'd rather not trust thousand right people than trust one wrong when it comes to your protection," Mikhael trusted Ethan, but this was too big for a vampire. The only reason Dante knows about this place is because Mikhael accidentally took him in thinking that he was the same as other kids, but who'd know...

   "Anyway, you don't lack anything, right?"

Ares nodded.

   "Amelia, that brat, and few others dropped by to bring some stuff. We have more than enough to live through the next two decades, so don't worry about us."

Those others were naturally kids Mikhael took in and helped to grow up.

If Amelia heard how he called her, she'd probably beat him up - though.

   "I see. Don't tell Amelia that I dropped by," he added, "She still thinks that I'm in the middle of Deep Slumber and I don't really want to get involved in this war. I'm not certain about the situation on Hunters side, but I doubt it's as peaceful as it appears to be."

Mikhael knew the Hunters, they were never a group that endured silently. And now that humans burned the City of Dawnbringers...

It's hard to say that they won't make a move.

But against whom exactly, Mikhael couldn't even dare to imagine. They might even wait until both sides exhausted themselves and then fish for the benefits, becoming the ultimate winner of this war.

And Mikhael, as one of them, would naturally be forced to make a move.

Luckily he said that he'll be busy for the next twenty years, or else... He'd have to clash with his family from the Judgement Order.

That would be too tragic, indeed.