Chapter 431: Chapter 431 - Felt it in My Bones
"Oh, there you are. Guess you didn’t go too far," I remarked as I spotted Aereeze.
After taking a moment to let our victory sink in, Satan and I headed back through the building, to meet back up with the others.
"Yeah, I thought I’d wait for an opportunity to jump in if an opportunity presented itself, but there was no need for that," She replied with a wry smile.
"Yes, it was a close battle, we barely pulled it off. Well, not that I can take too much credit for it, Larrk was the one who finished him off," Responded Satan as he gave me a pat on the back.
"I couldn’t have done it if you hadn’t worn him out first," I pointed out with a smile, before glancing ahead as several footsteps echoed out.
I spotted the others approaching, though one of them was missing...
"Way to go, guys, I was pretty stoked when I sensed Dracula’s signature disappear from my Radar," Grinned Argent as he jogged over.
"Oh, uh, don’t give me any credit, I really didn’t do anything to contribute," Admitted Aereeze sheepishly.
"Hold on, where’s Ilex? Don’t tell me...," I trailed off with a sense of dread.
"Oh, there’s no need to worry about him. He had this look of dissatisfaction after we defeated Jagger and then headed out. I think he went to fight the Vampires and Lesser Vampires outside," Terrastra informed me.
Ah. Yeah, given his current state of mind, I can definitely see that. I suppose he won’t be getting a better opportunity than this to blow off some steam...I should really consider setting up therapy in Arcadia, the poor guy definitely needs it.
"So, I take it this means that all the Elder Vampires have been slain?" Inquired Dracula with a smile.
"Uh, actually, about that...," Trailed off Argent sheepishly.
"Caera got away. We destroyed her clones with a bunch of super powerful attacks, and she must have slipped away during the chaos," Explained Izzy with a sigh.
"Damn it...I should’ve trained to be able to keep Radar active while fighting, she wouldn’t have been able to slip away unnoticed if I could. Given the prideful nature of the Elder Vampires, I ruled that out as a possibility, but I guess she decided that her life was more valuable that her pride," Sighed Argent with a frustrated look on his face.
"Hm...it is unfortunate that one got away, but it shouldn’t be too big of a concern. We should try to hunt her down, but even if we aren’t able to do so, she’s not much of a threat on her own. If she manages to avoid being tracked down, it’s quite likely that she’ll opt to lay low indefinitely," Surmised Satan thoughtfully.
"Well, while we failed to kill all of them, I’d still call this is a success since the Elder Vampires are effectively out of the picture, so-...," I began, before abruptly trailing off as I sensed an ominous, unsettling energy.
Wh-what the...?
"U-uh...tell me I’m not the only one who just felt that," Frowned Lucifer warily.
"Y-yes, it...it was brief, but it was certainly there. I...I’ve never sensed anything like it. What...what the hell was that?" Responded Satan shakily.
"Yeah, I felt it too...it was kinda disconcerting, but it didn’t feel that bad to me," Spoke up Prysm.
What? How could she not-...no, wait, I feel like only a part of me really felt that sensation so strongly.
"Indeed, I believe it was my presence that really picked up on it," Azazel informed me.
"Mhm, I barely felt it myself," Added Plasmuk.
What the hell is going on?
"Weird...I felt it both strongly and slightly at the same time. And based on what Frielektra is telling me in my head, I wouldn’t have felt it as much if it wasn’t for my Contract with her," Remarked Argent with a perplexed look on his face.
As I gauged each of their reactions, I noticed a pattern...
"Hm...it seems like the Demons and Dragon Kings were the most sensitive to whatever that wave of energy was. Does it have something to do with the fact that you’re Demonic Grades? No, Plasmuk says that he didn’t feel it all that much...," I muttered uncertainly.
"Well, the classification of Demonic Grade that the humans came up with is a bit flawed...not all beings in that classification are equally powerful. We Demons and the Dragon Kings, as well as the Elder Vampires, are a level above other creatures that are considered Demonic Grade," Explained Pavorphobus with a frown.
"I see...I suppose there’s no point in agonizing over it, it doesn’t seem like anything is happening. For now, let’s head outside and help the rest of our forces mop up any remaining Vampires and Lesser Vampires," I suggested thoughtfully.
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Point-of-View: Caera
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Okay, I think I’m safe now. It doesn’t look like anyone pursued me, and I’m several miles away from the city. I should find a cave or something to lay low in for a while, and then, I’ll integrate myself into human society and live out the rest of my days peacefully.
I’m the last remaining Elder Vampire, I sensed it a moment ago, Lord Dracula’s demise. The rest of us Elder Vampires are linked to him, so I was able to sense-...
I then froze as an immense, terrifying wave of energy washed over me, it was tremendously vast, it felt like it was large enough to envelop the world.
But it faded as suddenly as it appeared, leaving me wondering for a brief moment if I’d imagined it. But no, there’s no way that was just in my head...I felt it in my bones, horrifyingly viscerally. What...what was that?
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