The luxurious ebony carriage sliced through the darkness of the night with elegance, drawn by four majestic ck horses whose eyes gleamed like rubies. Inside the carriage, a tense silence hung in the air. Scarlet, sitting with impable posture, observed the nighttimendscape through the small window, her expression grave but filled with pride. Cassandra, beside her, wore a slight smile, while Btrix appeared distracted, tapping her fingers on the armrest. Dani, hands folded in herp, looked at Strax with a mixed expression of curiosity and anxiety.


    Experience tales at empire


    Strax, however, appeared incredibly rxed. He was reclined, one leg crossed over the other, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he observed hispanions. "You all look like you''re heading to an execution, not a dinner," hemented, breaking the silence with his deep, charismatic voice.


    Cassandraughed, but Scarlet shot her a serious nce.


    "Sometimes I think your ignorance about our world is extravagant," she said, adjusting the rings on her fingers. "This is about pride. Elizabeth Tepes has advanced to the Emperor Cultivation stage, something few vampires achieve in millennia. Not only that, but this dinner is an opportunity to show that the powers of the Vampires have increased, and we remain one of the most respected families in the world."


    "And an opportunity for Elizabeth to unt her superiority and attract the attention of other realms," Btrix provoked, with a mischievous smile.


    "Exactly, this event will have many... invaders," Scarlet said, a slight threatening gleam in her eyes. "You are too young to understand the weight of responsibility anyway, just survive."


    Dani, only listening, rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, "Come on,dies, let''s keep the peace. I don''t want to deal with a war before we even reach the castle," Strax smiled, trying to ease the tension. "And, to be honest, I''m curious to meet these invaders. And of course... If they''re even half of what you''re describing, it sounds like the dinner will be interesting."


    "Just a stupid dinner, I''d rather be doing something else..." Dani said, looking at Strax with a meaningful nce. "OW!" She felt a p on her head and looked at her sister.


    "Stop being a slut!" Btrix said.


    The carriage gradually slowed, the hooves of the ck horses rhythmically striking the stones at the castle entrance. The atmosphere inside the carriage was still charged with a mixture of tension, provocation, and expectation. Outside, the castle loomed imposing, its grandeur overshadowing everything around it. Magical lights projected a threatening aura, while the shadows of gargoyles seemed to watch the neers closely.


    "We''re here," Scarlet said, her firm voice cutting through the silence. She adjusted the rings on her fingers and looked at Strax. "Remember, follow my lead. This is not the kind of ce where mistakes are tolerated."


    Strax smiled, adjusting the cor of his jacket with a carefree touch. "I always follow your lead, Scarlet," he replied, with a gleam in his eye that mixed irony and confidence. "But I must admit, I want to see the impact you make."


    Btrix chuckled softly. "Her impact? You''ll see a show."


    The carriage finally came to a stop in front of the castle''s main gate, and the coachman opened the door with an exaggerated bow. Before anyone could step out, an announcer proimed loudly:


    "We present the arrival of the Vermilion Family!"


    His voice echoed through the castle walls, reaching the main hall, where dozens of vampires were already gathered. Silence took over the environment.


    Scarlet was the first to step out of the carriage, and the world seemed to freeze. Literally. A supernatural chill ran through the air, and every vampire present stopped what they were doing. Some stood, others held their wine sses mid-movement, but all, without exception, turned their eyes toward the figure emerging.


    Scarlet, the imposing leader of the Vermilion family, radiated an aura that was both terrifying and fascinating. Her fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting with the ck dress adorned with silver details. Her scarlet eyes gleamed brightly, as if they were two living embers, and her smile was that of a confident predator, ustomed to dominating all around her.


    Strax, still inside the carriage, observed attentively the impact Scarlet was having. He saw how the mere act of her stepping out had transformed the atmosphere. It was as if she had controlled time and space with her presence. He smiled to himself, impressed. "Not bad," he murmured.


    Soon after, Cassandra exited, elegant and graceful, her dark blue dress shining under the magical light of the torches. She carried an enigmatic smile that made people linger on her longer than necessary. Btrix followed next, her youthful and bold attitude contrasting with the formal air of the event. Her wine-colored dress was eye-catching, and she wore a mischievous smile that challenged any etiquette. Lastly, Dani, though her expression was slightly bored, still drew attention with her stunning beauty and a ck dress with golden details that highlighted her figure.


    Finally, Strax descended, adjusting his clothes as he looked toward the group of vampires in the hall. He was the only man among the women of the Vermilion family, and his presence exuded a different kind of authority. Murmurs began but quickly ceased when Scarlet shot a cold re at the crowd.


    The vampiresposed themselves, returning to silence, but the impact had already been made. The announcer, even hesitating, proimed again in a trembling voice:


    "Scarlet Vermilion and her family have arrived at Princess Elizabeth Tepes'' event!"


    Scarlet raised her chin and began walking toward the castle, apanied by Cassandra, Btrix, Dani, and Strax. The guests'' eyes followed their every move. Whispers resumed, but now more subdued, with somements barely masked with admiration, envy, or even fear.


    "I didn''t know the Vermilion family still held so much influence," someone murmured.


    "Influence? Scarlet doesn''t need influence when she has raw power," another replied, almost reverently.


    When they arrived at the main hall, they were greeted by a butler who led them to their seats at the long central table. As expected, Scarlet was ced in the spotlight, with Strax by her side. Cassandra, Btrix, and Dani upied seats nearby.


    While everyone settled in, Strax couldn''t help but notice the piercing gaze of Elizabeth Tepes, the hostess of the night. Sitting on her elevated throne at the end of the room, she observed them with an intensity that suggested she was assessing every detail. Her eyes, glowing like rubies, lingered on Scarlet before moving to him.


    "It seems the game started before they even serve us the wine," Straxmented quietly to Scarlet, who merely smiled slightly, never breaking her gaze from Elizabeth.


    "Be patient," she replied, her voice low but full of confidence. "The dinner will be just the beginning."


    Strax raised his ss of blood, watching the crimson liquid reflect the magical lights of the hall. He took a sip calmly, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The conversations around him were a mix of forcedughter and carefully chosen words, typical of political gatherings among vampires. Despite the apparent tranquility, Strax was always alert. He knew that in this hall, any small misstep could escte into something muchrger.


    Btrix, on the other hand, had drifted away from the group. Always restless, she was leaning against a marble column near one of the massive stained-ss windows that looked out onto the moonlit garden. Her usual smile sparkled as she toyed with a small crystal ss in her hands, her gaze wandering around the hall as if nothing concerned her.


    It was then that a tall, arrogant-looking vampire approached. His perfectly groomed blonde hair gleamed under the light, and he wore a red cloak adorned with golden embroidery. His gaze carried a mix of confidence and arrogance, making it clear what kind of person he was.


    "You''re a new face," he said, approaching Btrix with a smile he clearly thought irresistible. "Or perhaps I''ve just neglected to notice the radiant beauty so close to me." He gave a slight bow, but his eyes never left the neckline of Btrix''s dress.


    She raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a mix of curiosity and disdain. "And you are... who exactly?"


    "The name is Darius Von Craven," he replied, puffing out his chest as if expecting his name to make asting impression. "Heir to the Craven House, one of the oldest bloodlines in this kingdom. And who might the beauty be that I had the fortune of encountering tonight?"


    Btrixughed softly, but her smile had a dangerous edge. "Btrix Vermilion. But I think you already knew that."


    Darius paused, apparently taken aback by the mention of the Vermilion name. But his confidence didn''t waver. Instead, he smiled even more broadly. "Ah, a Vermilion. That exins a lot. Such a... powerful house. Must be difficult living up to your family''s expectations."


    Btrix narrowed her eyes, her smile disappearing for a brief moment before returning in a more threatening manner. "Oh, don''t worry, Darius. I always get what I want. The problem is when others try to push past their limits."


    Before he could interpret the warning, Darius took a step closer, his hand rising in a bold gesture to touch Btrix''s arm. "Well, maybe I could be what you want tonight."


    It was at that moment that a nearly imperceptible shift urred in the hall. Strax had been observing Darius'' behavior from the start, and though he seemedpletely rxed, his gaze never left the interaction. When the bold vampire''s hand rose to touch Btrix, Strax was already standing, his ss quietly ced on the table.


    In an instant, he was by Btrix''s side, his presence so fast and silent that Darius almost stepped back reflexively. Strax smiled, but there was no warmth in that smile. His eyes, as cold as ice, met Darius'' with an intensity that made the vampire hesitate.@@novelbin@@


    "Forgive me for interrupting," Strax began, his voice calm, but carrying an undeniable authority. "But I believe you''re about to cross a dangerous line."


    Darius tried to regain hisposure, but Strax''s presence was overwhelming. "And you would be... who exactly?" he asked, with a failed attempt at sounding defiant.


    "Me?" Strax tilted his head slightly, still smiling. "I''m the man who doesn''t tolerate anyone touching what''s mine."


    The entire hall seemed to hold its breath in that moment. Vampires nearby started to murmur, and even Elizabeth Tepes, high on her throne, seemed intrigued by the unfolding scene.


    Btrix, on the other hand, smiled broadly and provocatively. She stepped closer to Strax, resting her hand on his shoulder while looking at Darius. "I warned you," she said in a carefree tone, as though enjoying the difort of the vampire before her.


    Darius stepped forward, his face twisted in a mix of embarrassment and rage, but there was something more in his eyes: the wound to his pride being exposed before so many pairs of eyes. He couldn''t ept such humiliation. "Again... Who the hell are you to challenge me like this?" His voice carried fury, but also desperation.


    Strax kept his cold smile, but his eyes, now glowing with a crimson hue, betrayed a devastating power. "I already said," he replied, with the calm of a predator who knew he had already won. "I''m the man who doesn''t tolerate a useless worm touching what''s mine."


    The murmurs in the hall grew louder, vampires whispering to one another as the tension in the air became almost suffocating. Darius, however, was unwilling to back down. The humiliation was too much for him to bear, and his desperation made himmit the final mistake.


    With a roar of rage, he charged at Strax, attempting to strike him with a curved de conjured from dark magic. But before anyone could even blink, Strax moved. His arm rose with almostzy precision, and a blood aura glowed around his body.


    In milliseconds, Darius froze in ce, his eyes wide with absolute horror. He tried to scream, but no sound escaped his lips. Slowly, a sphere of blood began to emerge from his body, floating in the air above his head, growingrger as the vital liquid was drained from him. His limbs trembled violently before losing all strength, and he fell to the ground, lifeless, like an empty shell.


    The silence in the hall was deafening. All eyes were fixed on the scene, some with expressions of shock, others with pure terror. A few older vampires, recognizing the blood maniption, swallowed hard, realizing the level of power Strax had just disyed.


    "It wasn''t forck of warning," Strax said calmly, watching the blood sphere float before him. He moved his fingers with elegance, and the sphere descended, forming small threads that were absorbed by his body. "I warned him, but he chose to ignore it."


    ''Blood maniption against weak vampires is really interesting... I killed him just by draining his blood...'' Strax smiled at the sessful experiment.