New Alliances

The Emperor sits on his throne in his still under construction castle, which is located west of the Caligo Forest, in the territory of the old ruined Traj Kingdom. Commonly known now, as Transylvania. All the old buildings and ruins have been destroyed and on top of it, a new city is being built, already many houses, workshops, taverns, and much more are being built.

[Vlad's POV]

Sitting on my throne I think to myself that our plans are soon to commence. Only a handful of tasks left, and we will be ready to take over the continent of Zarza.

I can't wait to see the young vampires that Dragan chose. The power they have reached will be magnificent. Once they are done, I trigger their evolution with my powers, and boom, you have a new and powerful race of young vampires, who are virtually indestructible.

*DOORS CREAK OPEN*

I look forward and see the giant doors of the throne room open, as Volrais enters. He walks towards me, and as he reaches the steps of the throne, he stops and kneels, saying "You called for me, my Emperor?"

All of my subjects now know my vision and have understood and heard the news of what I aspire to do and be. They have no started referring to me as an Emperor.

"Yes Volrais, I have indeed." I stand up, walk down the steps of the throne, and walk towards him. I motion for him to follow me to a table on the left of the throne.

As we reach the table, you can giant paper, blueprints to be specific. He looks at them, his wide in surprise and uncertainty. "Interesting right? Almost unbelievable..." I say as I look at him and he nods.

In the blueprints, the one thing standing out, beside of the notes and equations and so on. Is a giant magical crystal in the shape of a diamond, surrounded by a dark metallic circle in the middle, and from that circle six rods are connected to the crystal. The crystal is about 3 meter long.

"It is what it says, we will place 6 of these strategically in the corners of Zarza, and one in the middle, which is thrice as big, as it is the main power, a source. It will not only hide us from the outside world, it will make it like we have never existed, or suddenly seized to exist. The outside world won't be able to feel us or search for us, and we will be getting stronger by the day. Now back to crystals, everything is ready, except for one of the 6. We need to plant the last one in the south." I say looking towards him.

"The Qahila Desert…." He says.

I nod and say "Indeed. After we are done with not only the Confederation but also the Northern Alliance, we will immediately need to go to the Qahila Desert, it won't be easy. Well except for me. But I am looking for more of a… friendly approach. They are not enemies, yet not allies."

Volrais nods understandingly, yet still has a puzzled look. I grin and say, "You want to know why I am telling you this right?" he nods, and I continue "You will take the mages we have, and half of the knights to guard these five locations of the crystals. It is of utmost importance that these locations are well guards. We have made just a makeshift fort now around the crystals, but while you check one each one and fill the reinforcements, I want you to also rebuild them well and enchant it to withhold magical and physical attacks."

Volrais nods, then bows and turns around to leave. Just as he about to leave I call out to him, he stops midway and turns around. "It would be good to take assassins with you, a hundred in each location would be good. Tell them it is an order directly from me." He nods and proceeds to leave the throne room.

Now, it is time to pay a visit to the Northern Alliance.

[POV : Fort Halker]

Fort Halker is situated between the Wood Elves kingdom of Mh'Tirion and Dwarven Kingdom of Gol Daruhl. It is a fort specifically made as a place for a gathering, usually one of importance such as now, between the King of Gol Daruhl, the Queen of Mh'Tirion, the Minister of Lorke, and the King of Echelux.

Within the fort, is a large conference room, with a round table and four seats. The four presently sitting are Queen Liarel of Mh'Tirion, King Stromnac of Gol Daruhl, Minister Kilian of Lorke, and finally King Arlo of Echelux.

King Stromnac sighs heavily and shouts "Well fucking bollocks! What are we going to fucking do now!"

Queen Liarel, looks unpleasingly at King Stromnac, sighs, and holds her head with her right hand as if she has a migraine and says "Tone it down with the cursing will you...", King Stromnac scoffs at that.

"Stop… we are here to talk about our current issue. This is a serious matter. What are we to do now with what is currently happening in Zarza? Dracula is still alive, he has returned, far stronger than before. A large army, and far more powerful than we can probably imagine, the Elders are alive and he has even more who are at the level of the Elders or close to. And with him there, and the news of his return is bringing more and more vampires and supporters of his regime to his side." Says the Minister Kilian, worryingly.

"I understand. But I seem to recall that none of us here have crossed paths with Dracula before. This shouldn't be an issue." Replies King Arlo to the Minister.

Queen Liarel and King Stromnac think quietly as they nod, and Queen Liarel says "Indeed we have not crossed paths with him. But it is still troubling." And the rest nod to her words.

Suddenly the leaders present feel fear, as a shock runs through their spine, all turning to a single direction to find a single man standing there. His aura emanating such power, that they are unable to comprehend it, only fear it.

They simultaneously stand, and cautiously back away, readying themselves to attack. As the Queen of the Elves starts conjuring her magic, and the rest take out their weapons. King Arlo with his duel-wielding short swords, Minister Kilian with his long sword, and King Stromnac wielding his two-handed hammer.

The man who they are facing, is none other than Dracula, Vlad Tepes himself, The Emperor.

"Why the hostility, I have only come here to talk." he says, as he walks towards the table and conjures a chair and sits down.

[Vlad's POV]

Sitting down on the chair, I gesture for them to sit. They disarm and cautiously approach their seats. Although they are still tense and vigilant.

Seems they are not dumb enough to attack.

"Why are you here Dracula-" says Queen Liarel, but she is cut halfway, as a dozen of Dracula's Wraths appear and one of them puts a blade to the throat of the Queen and three more do the same to the rest for insurance. All of them sweat profusely in fear feeling the dangerous power oozing out of them.

The one holding a blade to the Queen's throat says in a rough and distorted voice "It is Emperor."

I grin, raise my hand, and say "No need for that…" The four holding their blades on the four leaders' throats withdraw back and stand with the rest, two stand behind me in full alert, in case something happens.

I put interlock my hands and carefully observe them for a few seconds, then relax and say "No need to be tense. I am not here to kill you. If I was… we wouldn't be having this conversation."

They gulp, then Minister Kilian asks, "Then why are you here, Emperor?"

"I am here for an alliance, for a… friendship." I say, smiling. And they look confused.

I shift on my seat to change my sitting position to a more comfortable one and say "We are not enemies, but neither are we allies. If I just kill everyone then I am not becoming what I aspire to be, but the opposite. I know that I can't do everything by myself and I don't need slaves under me. I need allies, fully capable ones, who can communicate with me and aid me in my quest. While you are obviously helping me, it doesn't me I won't. I will also aid you, In your time of need."

They are wide eyed, surprised by my words, as they look at each other and the nod. They then look towards me, indicating for me to continue.

"As you know the confederation is done for. They won't be able to survive and soon we will conquer them. Except for Ithigia, as they have decided to ally themselves with us. It seems they were not truly happy about the confederation, as they were betrayed by them. When this issue is resolved, they get back all their stolen lands and more, as well as receive aid from you and us to recover." I say.

"What happened, why would they suddenly change sides. I mean I understand they are losing, but what you mentioned shouldn't be enough of an issue." Says King Arlo.

I sigh and say "Indeed it is not. The King of Abalon has had one of the boys of the King of Ithigia killed, and a daughter held hostage in Abalon."

They nod understandingly and I continue "Since you understand why now, I will continue with what will happen to you. You will be joining the Empire, officially. You will still retain your statuses, except that I am the one who has the final say, as I am the Emperor.

All the Kingdoms under me will convene in a council, which will be built after everything is resolved. As I know currently, you all have trade agreements which none of you seem to be able to complete. Gol Daruhl will complete and give what they must in their agreements with Lorke, Echelux and Mh'Tirion. Same goes for the rest. These resources you poses which others don't, are necessary for you all to function under the Empire."

They think quietly on my words, comprehending the situation they are in and their choices… which they don't have any to be honest.

"I agree, as long as we retain are status… we shall serve under the Empire. Since it seems you have a big plan." Says Queen Liarel. The rest nod and agree to her words.

"Good. We will have also the Qahila kingdoms in the south join us… hopefully. This will make a powerful Empire, that will thrive. Currently, in the borders between Lorke and Echelux a fort will be built. To house a giant Crystal, there is six of them around Zarza. This will protect us when the confederation is taken over. No one will be able to find us or even search for us. We will do that, to grow stronger, not hide." I say and they are surprised by what I have said.

"Why should we conceal ourselves? This makes no fucking sense!" says King Stromnac.

"The Holy Church…" I say. They tense a bit. Understandable, no one likes the bastards. I continue by saying "Once the Holy Church learns that there is no way to contact the Victorum Confederation, they will be extremely suspicious, and will send out their men to check out what is happening. With what I have planned, they will not be able to find us. No matter what, they will keep passing us." They nod in an understanding manner.

I clap, spooking them a bit. I then say "Well, I wont keep you long. For I have things to deal with. We will get into more details once we and my advisors can meet all together, with the Qahila's two kings and the king of Ithigia." As I finish, me and the Dracula's Wraths vanish.