Legend of the Misfit

It was an old, abandoned mansion. Its outer layers were draped in thick spider webs, the air reeked of decay, and bats scattered into the night upon sensing their presence.

Killian tilted his head upward, lazily watching the mansion from its forefront.

"Let's go, Kill."

He let out a deep sigh and followed Morningstar's lead into the mansion.

The infrastructure was the complete opposite of Lucid's. The ceiling had caved in, decayed portraits hung crookedly on the walls, and cockroaches scurried across the floor.

This was nothing new to Killian—after all, he used to sleep in trees. But his brief time at Lucid's place gave him a taste of serenity, and now, he found himself craving it.

Morningstar introduced him to the living room. The upper floors had caved into the hall, leaving the place filled with massive chunks of concrete.

With a few chairs placed atop the rubble, they both took their seats.

With no time to waste, Morningstar turned serious.

"This used to be my home, roughly 700 years ago."

"700?"

"Yes." He propped his elbow on his thighs, his expression dimmed. 

"This used to be a palace. The collapsed buildings we passed by? Civilized demons once lived there.

"Everyone here, except for me, was slaughtered by upper demons."

He leaned backward, while Killian propped his elbows against his thighs and rested his head on his fist, genuinely wondering why he should care.

"My parents had only one option to save me: to seal me away. I remained trapped for 700 years… until I finally got out five years ago."

"It's safe to say I am the last of my clan… and I want you to help me rebuild it."

Killian carefully observed the surroundings. "Vampire?"

"Yes."

Killian knew vampires existed and used to be one of the most powerful clans in the demon realm. 

He had seen many upper demons mimic blood manipulation and knew that vampires were the first to inherit it, renowned for their exceptional control and uniqueness.

But he had no idea how the clan had fallen, and the expression on his face was enough to tell Morningstar that much.

"We cherished our solitude and freedom, so my clan fled from the Circuit to build our empire in the Wildlands."

Killian leaned backward.

"However, the Circuit knew the isolation of my clan could ultimately bring them more harm than good. They sent numerous appeals for us to rejoin The Circuit, even making promises to align our interests—but we refused.

"This led The Circuit to strike at us in our most vulnerable state—on the night of a grand ceremony when everyone had gathered in this palace to celebrate the pregnancy of my mother."

Morningstar got off his seat, while Killian was almost half asleep.

"I want to rebuild my clan… And above all, I want to make the Circuit pay for what they did."

Killian slightly opened his eyes, taking in the moment. 

"I want you and me to conquer this world and rebuild my clan. I've seen your determination… and I know you want to conquer this world too.

"We have the same goal—let's achieve it together."

Killian took a brief moment, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"We do have the same goal… but why should I help you? After all, I am not a vampire, and aside from your impressive blood manipulation magic, I know less of your clan."

Morningstar smirked. "Because you owe me, Kill—and we both know you won't win if we fight. 

I could just tie you up and let the upper demons deal with you… or kill you myself."

"Blackmail, huh?" Killian smiled.

Morningstar sat back down and stared directly into Killian's eyes, unwavering and fearless. Then, leaning forward, he extended his hand, offering a handshake to seal their alliance.

[The determination in his eyes, he wants to do this. With his power at my disposal, things would be much easier—if I could find a way to control him.]

Killian shook his hand, sealing the deal.

[Sealed, but not anytime soon, buddy.]

The deal was sealed, but he had no intention of fulfilling it anytime soon.

"Now we must talk about strategic planning. From just a glance at you, I can tell—you want to do everything on your own. But that won't work.

There are stronger demons within the circuit—way stronger than the little flies after you."

"Really?"

"Darker than black… Every upper demon you see out here is desperate to achieve that. But even they are nowhere near the Demon Lords and their disciples.

"Since my seal was broken, I've spent every day gathering information on the Upper Demons—spying on them and even torturing the few I manage to capture.

"I realized to get a victory within my reach, I will need allies. Not one or two, but an army."

"I'm not your only ally, am I?"

"No, I have a select few. Zeya told me to recruit you, 'I see something within him,' she said. So I wanted you here so we could all meet."

"Zeya? I think I know that name… The hybrid girl?"

"Yeah. I think I see what she saw as well, but much clearer." He smirked.

Killian gave him a lazy glance.

Killian seized the moment and suggested they tidy up the mansion for the hideout. 

After a brief moment, they hurried to it, starting with lifting the broken concrete and clearing the living room.

Their bodies were drenched in sweat and they panted heavily.

"Who betrayed who?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, you and your friend, who betrayed the other?"

"Oh, that's what you meant; it's none of your business."

"Yeah, you are right."

They continued clearing the ground-floor chambers and headed for the upper floors.

After hours of hard work, the mansion was somewhat tidy, but they still needed light crystals.

"I know where we can find them."

[I've spent most of my life in mud… but if this is a royal, then I think my time at Lucid's was more than a royal treatment. Such a dirty boy.]

They made their way to the collapsed buildings in front of the mansion. Entering one of them, Morningstar opened a gate to a room filled with ancient art, crystals, sofas, and beds.

"Wait, if all these were available, then didn't you tidy up the mansion?"

"I was a royal; I was taught etiquette not how to clean."

Killian shook his head.

They carried everything back to the mansion and began decorating it however they saw fit.

After hours of decorating and hard work, they were finally done. 

They stood in front of the mansion, gazing at their masterpiece. Though it was still old and worn, it now had a sense of order—their order.

"This is terrible."

"I agree."

"Let's leave it to Zeya; their place was well decorated; she might know how to do it."

Morningstar gave Killian a firm nod.

They suddenly sensed a surge of auras swiftly approaching from the distance.

"It took them long enough."

"I didn't know your allies were this many."

"Nope, they aren't my allies. They are here to kill us."

What stood in front of them were dozens of demons, armed with katanas. These were demons who never awakened—they were rejected by their cores. 

On the contrary, if the devil mana core believed its wielder could not sustain them, it refused to grant them any affinity at all.

Because of this, their inks never changed, remaining red until death. To them, it was a blessing—they didn't have to constantly kill to survive and, as a result, believed they were exempt from the laws of the demon realm.

Being easy prey for both lower and upper demons, they chose to isolate themselves and build an empire.

"Oh… so I blew their cover."

"Yes, but not just that. Anyone who discovers their land must die. And since the shadow killed their people, their blood is now on our hands."

"Right."

Killian stepped forward and tried to speak with them, wanting them to know that he wasn't the one who killed their people and had no intention of letting anyone know of their land.

A man stepped forward, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his katana.

"And why should we believe that? We saw you… You rang the bell."

"Yes, but I wasn't the one who killed them. There was a monster; how didn't you see that?"

"And the monster left you alive? How truthful."

Killian let out a deep sigh and walked back to stand beside Morningstar.

"I think they believed you; how wonderful."

"Tsk…"

"I've tried countless times to get them to ally with me, but they always refuse."

They stood there for a while, debating whether to fight or flee. Killing them would be difficult, and doing so over a mere misunderstanding felt like a terrible choice for Killian.

Morningstar immediately bit his finger and, in a swift motion, sliced off several heads. 

Killian's jaw dropped as he watched Morningstar advance toward them.

Panic surged through the demons as they moved to attack, but the leader stopped them.

"We might end up dead, but as you can see, many of your comrades will die as well. Do you want to risk dozens of lives for just two?

"I told you before… If I am to die then, I'll be going with half of your people, Baron."

The demons burst into laughter. For some reason, Morningstar's words were so amusing that a few even collapsed to the ground, laughing uncontrollably.

Morningstar took steady steps backward before swiftly making his way to Killian.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"I don't know, but I think you did. Maybe the Baron?"

They murmured among themselves.

"You think Baron would walk here for this cheap task? By the way, we are the Forsaken." He proudly raised his hands.

"Our soldiers are trained to die, and each demon here is here for revenge. It doesn't matter if you can slit our throats before we talk."

"I should have thought of that," Morningstar murmured.

At the leader's command, the demons charged at them. Their fighting was wild and relentless, leaving no clear openings to strike.

Their katanas moved unpredictably, making them even more dangerous.

Killian grinned.