The war room of Báthory's castle was a stark contrast to the shiny feast hall.

  Dark stone walls were covered in maps and charts, illuminated by eerie, blue-flamed torches.

  A massive table dominated the center, its surface a detailed topographical map of Bloodmire and the surrounding lands.

  Atenzi stood at the head of the table, his golden-crimson eyes scanning the assembled vampiric generals and strategists.

  Báthory sat to his right, watching him with barely concealed fascination.

  "Genghis Khan's army," Atenzi began, his voice carrying a new edge of authority, "is not just large.

  It's a force of nature.

  But even nature has its weaknesses."

  He gestured to the map, pointing out key terrain features. "Khan's strength lies in his cavalry and his siege engines.

  But Bloodmire's forests and swamps will slow them down, funnel them into choke points."

  A vampire general leaned forward, his fangs glinting in the torchlight. "We could ambush them in the Whispering Woods, pick off their flanks."

  Atenzi shook his head. "Too obvious.

  Khan expects that.

  No, we need to think bigger. Bolder." A feral grin spread across his face. "We need to think like Hattori Hanzo."

  Musashi, standing in the corner with Anzar, raised an eyebrow at this.

  Atenzi caught his gaze and continued.

  "Hanzo was known for his bold, often seemingly suicidal strategies.

  But they worked because they were unexpected.

  We're not going to defend Bloodmire.

  We're going to attack Khan's army before it even reaches our borders."

  Murmurs of surprise and skepticism rippled through the room.

  Báthory leaned in, intrigued. "Go on," she purred.

  Atenzi's hands danced over the map as he spoke, his words coming faster, filled with a dark enthusiasm.

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  "We send in small teams of your best vampire assassins.

  I'll lead them personally.

  We infiltrate Khan's camp under cover of darkness.

  But we're not there for a simple assassination attempt."

  He paused, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "We're going to turn Khan's army against itself."

  The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Atenzi as he laid out his plan.

  "First, we target their supplies.

  Poisoning water sources, contaminating food stores.

  But subtly.

  We want sickness to spread slowly, creating paranoia and distrust.

  "Next, we sow discord among the ranks.

  Fake orders from Khan, contradicting his real commands.

  Plant evidence of betrayal among his top generals.

  "And then, we strike at the heart of their morale. Khan's army believes in his divine right to rule.

  We're going to shatter that belief."

  Atenzi's grin was chilling as he continued. "We'll use illusions, vampiric powers, whatever it takes to make it seem like the gods themselves are turning against Khan.

  Nightmarish visions, inexplicable phenomena.

  We'll turn their camp into a living hell."

  One of the generals spoke up, his voice a mix of awe and concern. "This is... unprecedented. The risk-"

  "The risk is nothing compared to the reward," Atenzi cut him off. "By the time Khan realizes what's happening, his army will be a shadow of itself.

  Demoralized, sickened, fractured.

  And that's when we launch our main attack."

  He turned to Báthory. "Your vampire legions, striking from multiple directions. Not just soldiers, but living weapons. We unleash every trick, every dark power at our disposal. Make them believe they're not fighting an army, but vengeful gods."

  Báthory's eyes glittered with malicious delight. "And Khan himself?"

  Atenzi's voice dropped to a near whisper, but everyone in the room heard him clearly. "We offer him a choice.

  Retreat, and live with the shame of defeat.

  Or face me in single combat."

  Gasps and excited murmurs filled the room.

  Báthory laughed, a sound like shattering glass. "Oh, my dear Oni no Atenzi.

  You continue to surprise me. And if he chooses combat?"

  Atenzi's response was a growl that sent shivers down the spines of even the eldest vampires. "Then I'll send his head back to his horde as a message.

  Bloodmire is not to be trifled with."

  As the vampire generals began to discuss the logistics of the plan, Musashi approached Atenzi. "This strategy," he said quietly, "it's brilliant, but ruthless. The Atenzi I knew would have balked at such tactics."

  Atenzi turned to his former mentor, his eyes cold. "The Atenzi you knew was weak.

  He wouldn't have survived this world.

  I will do whatever it takes to win, to protect what's mine."

  Musashi opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by the sudden arrival of a scout, bursting into the war room with panic clear on his face.

  "My lords," the scout gasped, falling to his knees. "Khan's army... they've increased their pace.

  They'll be at our borders in less than two days!"

  The room erupted into chaos, but Atenzi remained calm.

  He turned to Báthory, a deadly smile playing on his lips. "Well then," he said, "it seems we'll have to accelerate our plans.

  Shall we begin, my queen?"

  Báthory matched his smile with one of her own, equally lethal. "Indeed, my champion.

  Let us show Khan and all of Naaim the true meaning of terror."

  As the war council sprang into frenzied action, Atenzi felt a thrill of anticipation.

  The game was afoot, and he intended to play it with every ounce of his newfound power and ruthlessness.

  Genghis Khan, the scourge of civilizations, was about to meet his match in Oni no Atenzi, with his Killer Instinct state.

  The battle for Bloodmire was about to begin...