It was a quiet night, waves lapping lazily at the shore, rubbing against the docks. a large ship drifted into the port, a small city on a small island. Ships were coming and going even at this dark hour. As the ship settled at the dock a sailor hopped off and tied the boat so it wouldn't drift away. The rocking slowly came to a stop and finally a voice greeted the night air, white chilled breath leaking out into the night.

  "Thank you for the ride, Hal sir, here's what is owed." A young woman with reddish orange hair and a beautiful fox tail and fluffy ears. Her golden eyes seemed to glow in the dim moonlight.

  "Of course, here for the little lady." The old merchant put a piece of candy in the hand of a young girl sleepily clinging to Lilly. She was wearing a one piece dress similar to a night gown, it only had one shoulder though as a crescent moon was at the top. One point of the crescent was the right shoulder strap the other point hugged her side just above her chest. Embroidered stars cascaded down from the moon. It was cute, even if it was a little revealing for a young girl like her. Though she was wearing a black cloak with a golden crescent moon etched into the back. From what could be seen of her hair, it was silvery white and every once and awhile her eyes caught the moonlight and revealed Black eyes with red pupils.

  Lilly handed the bag of money over before taking Belphagor by the hand and stepping off the ship.

  "Sleeeeepy." Belphagor mumbled as she stumbled along. "Come on, you're always sleepy let's at least get to Madreachia's Capital City then we'll find an inn."

  "Sister Lilly, have you ever been to Madreachia?" Belphagor asked, a sly smile on her sleepy face.

  "Um, no, I was picked up from the streets of Blushai by Maxwell and did work for him there for awhile before moving to Kozak and well that's where he gave me this task.

  "Hehe, you know." She paused mid sentence to yawn. " Madreachia was my favorite place to play with Miss Sariel while hiding from the humans. . . Till father made it the final battlefield."

  "Ah, I guess you'll know more than me. I'll be in your care then Belphy, I was gonna ask around cause I didn't quite know where to go from here. But if you know then lead the way." Lilly sighed with relief, and allowed Belphagor to take the lead.

  She was led through the streets quickly, crossing the town. She seemed to be in a hurry, this left a strained smile on Lilly's face as she realized she was just running towards the promised inn.

  Soon enough though they stopped on the other side of the island. In front of Lilly was a large field with a collection of what seemed to be carriages, they had arms branching out from either side of them. Looking a bit like fans and they had a tail that had fins on it. The contraption looked a bit like a fish and a crab put together. Belphagor was all smiles as she pulled on Lilly's arm and pointed at one of the carriages.

  "Lilly, didn't you know, Madreachia is the island of magic. An Island of the sky." She explained with arrogant pride, puffing out her non-existent chest. The carriage she was pointing at rose into the sky and flew upwards leaving Lilly with a dumbfounded look on her face. Belphagor looked triumphant and placed her hands on her hips, a moment of relaxation was punished as the wind snatched her cloak and yanked it off. Almost immediately she curled up, "cooooold." She whimpered causing Lilly to chuckle as she managed to barely catch the cloak and pull it back around Belphagor.

  "Alright, alright, let's go then." Lilly smiled behind her hand as she also pulled her hood up and started walking towards one of the air carriages.

  With the winds of change beginning to blow all over the world, Cody the Hero of light finally stepped foot into the Gothic castle on the island of monsters. Ahead of him stood a beautiful woman. She was young and wearing a Gothic Lolita dress with blue trims. Those blood red eyes were piercing and the smile seemed fake, she offered her hand to him. She's was only a couple inches shorter than him.

  "I am Sapphire, princess of Gulress. I greet our world's hero with pride, even as a vampire, disciple of the dark God. I'm happy that you've graced me with your presence." She spoke with that fake smile.

  "Haa, you know my titles have no power here, who was I to refuse your invitation. Princess."

  "Of course, pardon my rudeness, though for someone whose titles are meaningless you sure are quite relaxed." She chuckled as she took his hand, the smile seemed to get a bit more real as she led him through the grand entrance hall towards the grand staircase. "Though I must say it's a bit of an awkward time for you to arrive. The Werewolves and Vampires are having peace meetings, and are agreeing on an exchange of power. The Vampires have held the throne for a very long time, and the Werewolves asked for an exchange of power to prove sincerity." She explained as a servant hurried in front and pushed open the massive doors.

  The Red carpet continued, the castle felt eerily empty and quiet. Where is everyone? He couldn't help but wonder quietly. Sapphire led the way, she didn't seem disturbed by the atmosphere leading him to believe that it was simply his imagination.

  It didn't take them long to reach a Large door. The walk here was very quiet and he found himself wondering if the dark races had a bias against him due to his connection to the God of Light. He didn't voice that opinion though and followed her into the throne room.

  The first thing he noticed was that the throne was empty and a large table was set up in front of it. There were people in every seat, on the left were red eyed pale skinned people in neat clothes and on the right were yellow eyed tan skinned people in rough unkempt clothes.

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  A particular yellow eyed man with silver hair sat at what would be the right head of the table while the left head was empty.

  Cody frowned softly, the atmosphere here felt even weirder. Brushing it aside again, he followed Sapphire who sat down at the left head seat. Not long after sitting down she snapped her fingers and a maid leaped into the room with a chair for Cody. The people at the table grumbled softly as they re-shuffled the seating arrangements.

  "Haha, the hero of light himself. Whatever could the light of those bastards be doing out here in such a disgusting heretical island huh?" A jovial voice spoke up, a smile lit his face. The man with silver hair gave off the air of a beast. Wild and free, same with his companions.

  "I'm traveling at the moment, I'm not the Hero of Kozak, I'm the Hero of Light, my sword defends the world not a single country. And it pains me to hear you belittle this wonderful island." Cody spoke politely, though internally he wanted to vomit. Damn, I really hate dealing with high nobility.

  "Hahaha, yeah that's true, apologies I was teasing you boy. It must be hard summoned for a greater purpose by such a nearsighted country. My name is Alkasaar, I'm the Wolf Alpha, and it is an honor to meet you." The silver haired man ran his fingers through his hair as he laughed before settling his expression.

  "The pleasure is mine Sir." Cody responded politely with a bow before sitting down.

  "Excuse me, could we get back to business." Sapphire asked softly, a sweet and quiet voice that still carried great power.

  "Oh right, where were we. Oh yeah, marriage to my son." Alkasaar exclaimed and slapped the person sitting next to him with a loud smack. "We were just talking about how better than a generational peace, a burying of the hatchet through a true connection of our two clans would cleanse the blood between us."

  "Yes, and with my father falling ill like this, it could be better to come together." Sapphire spoke, her voice trembled softly. Cody felt sorry for her, thinking of his own parents that he couldn't see anymore.

  "Of course this isn't a forced marriage, I'm simply pushing my son your way in hopes something happens." Alkasaar said while opening his hands in a welcoming gesture.

  "The peace treaty had pretty much been wrapped up already, but I'm worried about the people's reception. They've been ruled by Vampire nobility ever since the Demon Lord was slain. And we've not spoken kindly of your clan if I'm being curt." Sapphire spoke with a hint of caution and conveyed a hint of guilt in her voice.

  "Of course dear, our clan is the same as yours. So much venom between us." Alkasaar simply nodded with a relaxed smile in response, clasping his hands together.

  "A Vampire Princess falls in love with a Werewolf Prince and ends the four hundred year long blood feud. How sweet, it's a good story to sway the public." Sapphire looked up and spoke, closing her eyes for a moment.

  "I'll work with you on this."

  Cody couldn't help but let his mind wander as they spoke, all the political talk made his mind melt and before long it was over.

  "Here, this will be your room. Call for me if you need anything sir Hero. I'm here to make your stay as comfortable as possible." A maid spoke politely with a bow before she left the room. It was a spacious room with a large bed and a soft rug on the ground. Old Gothic paintings on the walls and a window with an amazing view over the cityscape.

  Cody slid his armor off and laid down on the bed, he'd been in that meeting room all day. He was out cold in minutes, he'd been on edge the whole time but everything seemed normal enough. Causing him to finally relax.

  His wariness was justified however as in another room in the Castle he was being mentioned.

  "Now that that brat has walked into the trap we should celebrate before putting him down." Alkasaar said with a smile and blushed cheeks. A bottle of alcohol one hand while his other reached for Sapphire's chest. Though his hand was grabbed before it made contact, Gordon looked annoyed as he shoved the man twice his size back into his seat.

  "Until Skarlet at least has been killed the trap isn't complete she's the more important one. Master wants his sword back, and until our business is properly concluded she's Maxwell's property and as Maxwell's hands and feet for this plan it is my job to manage her." Gordon explained with one hand on the hilt of his sword, neither of them noticed how Sapphire sighed with relief.

  "Sapphire you know what you are and aren't allowed to say per the contact, yes?" Gordon asked, Sapphire simply nodded. "Good, get close to the hero and get him to let his guard down. And get him to talk about Skarlet and where his sword is."

  "What? He was carrying his sword!" Alkasaar exclaimed in surprise, Gordon turned back to the letter he was writing to Maxwell.

  "No, he was carrying a cheap sword bought right be before he walked through the castle gates. He's being cautious." Gordon explained tiredly as he picked up his pen again.

  "So then what does that mean!?" Alkasaar exclaimed in confusion, not noticing how Gordon clenched his knuckles in annoyance on the pen.

  "It means he did his research and knows that Blood contacts can be broken by powerful vampires." Gordon explained as he turned back to glare at Alkasaar, the old man's yellow eyes turned to look at Sapphire, but Cody shook his head. "No, that's a contact between vampires, Cody and his sword, neither are vampires however they have a blood contract between them. That's gonna be Sapphire's Job, to break the contract between them and he won't be able to use the sword or it's benefits. Now please leave I need to finish this letter to Maxwell." Alkasaar did as asked and left, Gordon finally put the pen to the page and began to write.

  "Thanks." A sweet, soft voice hit his ears, he turned to look into her red eyes.

  "I didn't do anything for you." Gordon spoke gruffly before going back to his letter.

  "You've been very considerate and kind to me since the contract was signed. They wanted to treat me like a slave, pass me around like a piece of meat. But you stopped them." Her words caused his ears to twitch.

  "You should hate me, I killed your father." He said softly as he put his pen down again.

  "I do, with every part of my being. But gratitude is due for not making my life any more hell than it already is." She sighed softly, "As long as your here I'm safe. Might as well enjoy purgatory till my hell's ready." She sat down next to him and leaned against the desk, humming softly, a quiet beautiful tune.

  "Don't get used to it, you're gonna see me less in the future. You'll be with the hero and the wolf prince." Gordon sighed and looked into her eyes. "Make that young wolf fall for you and he has the power to protect you from the rest of them. That's my advice to you, it's a condolence from a former slave to a future one."

  "Former slave huh, no wonder, does Maxwell get all his toys from the same box of broken dolls. Fixing is the fastest way to loyalty I see." She breathed the words as if they were air before slipping into soft rhythmic breathing.

  "Most likely so, however not like I can ignore the favors I've been given." Gordon frowned as he looked down at her sleeping face. "How audacious." He snorted before scratching away at the letter. After an hour the quiet sound of writing faded and the candle was blown out. Gordon tossed a blanket over the sleeping Princess and rolled onto the couch before letting the darkness take him as well.