The family now fully united, pushed past the twisted door that once sealed the chambers, entering a vast, dimly lit corridor. The château's suffocating darkness lingered, but the family's presence brought a light that refused to be extinguished.
Each step echoed like a heartbeat through the castle's empty veins. Safari led the way, his towering form unshaken. Angeleva followed closely, her senses heightened for any lurking threats. Ian and Olive stayed near Zack and Jen, every glance filled with silent reassurance.
"No more surprises," Ian mumbled. "Just a straight path out, right?"
But fate had other plans.
A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the corridor. The chilling sound reverberated, sending an icy shiver down their spines. The family halted, their instincts sharpening.
Safari's eyes narrowed, scanning the shadows. "Show yourself."
From the darkness, a figure emerged. Tall, clad in a lavish black coat with crimson embroidery, his presence radiated a malevolent elegance. His pale skin gleamed under the dim light, and his hair cascaded past his shoulders. Twin blood-red eyes gleamed with twisted amusement.
"Impressive," the figure purred, his voice low and commanding. "You survived the trials. But nowâ"
He smiled, revealing gleaming fangs.
"Let's see if you survive me."
"Lord Victor," the figure said.
The family froze.
After a few tense moments...
Victor's crimson eyes gleamed as he stepped closer. The very air around him grew heavier, suffused with his presence. Safari instinctively positioned himself in front of the family, his fists clenched tightly.
"You're the one behind this sick game," Safari growled.
Victor chuckled darkly. "Game? No, no, this was a test. A measure of your resolve. And I must admit... I'm impressed."
Angeleva's wings flared as she held her ground. "We're not pawns in your twisted games."
Victor's smile never wavered. "Yet you played along so beautifully. But tell me, was it worth it? The fear, the torment? Watching the ones you love crumble under their own nightmares?"
Zack flinched, but Jen's grip on his hand remained firm.
"We're still standing," Zack said, his voice trembling but resolute. "That's all that matters."
Victor tilted his head, his amusement deepening. "Brave words. But bravery alone will not be enough. You stand before a Vampire Boss. Every trial was merely a prelude to what awaits you now."
He spread his arms wide, the crimson mist around him swirling like a living entity.
"Fight me, if you dare."
Safari's eyes darkened. He stepped forward, his Devil Hammer materializing in a surge of dark shadowy energy.
Angeleva's hands ignited with radiant light, her stance unwavering.
"We're not afraid of you," Safari growled as he transformed.
Victor's grin widened. "Good. Then let the real game begin."
The château trembled. The shadows writhed.
_ _ _
The moment Victor stepped forward, the air in the château grew unbearably heavy. The shadows seemed to respond to his presence, twisting and writhing as though alive. His blood-red eyes gleamed with twisted amusement, reflecting the terror of those standing before him.
"Such bravery," Victor purred, his voice dripping with mockery. "But bravery alone won't save you."
In an instantâhe vanished.
Safari's instincts screamed. "Incomingâ!"
But Victor was already there.
A blur of crimson and black.
Safari barely turned before a devastating force collided with his stomach.
CRACK!
The shockwave from Victor's punch sent him flying, the impact shattering the ancient stone wall behind him. Dust and debris rained down as Safari crumpled to the floor, groaning.
Ian winced, his camera trembling in his hands. "Oof. Not a great start, folks. That's gonna leave a mark."
But Victor wasn't done.
Angeleva's wings flared wide, her radiant glow illuminating the gloom as she transformed. She thrust her Fairy Wand forward, summoning a blinding Fairy Beam. The energy streaked through the air, cutting toward Victor.
But the Vampire General moved with impossible speed.
A flicker. A shadow.
Before Angeleva could react, Victor was already behind her. His hand lashed out in a blur.
SMASH!
She slammed into the cold stone floor, blood dripping from her lip as her light dimmed.
"Angeleva!" Safari roared, forcing himself to his feet.
Ian's voice trembled, though he tried to keep his usual bravado. "Okay, so that's two strikes. Maybe we call a timeout?"
No response.
Zack rushed to Safari's side, his hands glowing with soft, green light. He poured his healing power into the wounds, trying desperately to mend them. "Hold on... I've got you..."
But Victor's grin only widened. "How touching. The healer boy tends to his fallen protector."
Olive stepped forward, her blasters charged. "Not on my watch."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The plasma shots lit the air. But Victor...
He caught them.
His pale hand snatched the bolts mid-air, the crackling energy flickering uselessly in his palm. With a cruel chuckle, he crushed the energy into nothingness.
"Tsk tsk." His eyes locked on Olive. "You'll have to do better than that."
Olive grit her teeth, recalibrating her blasters. "I'm just getting started."
But Ian's voice chimed in. "Technically, I think we're at strike three. I'm no fighter, but I think that's game over."
Safari clenched his fists. "We're not done yet."
The Devil Hammer materialized in his hands, its dark energy crackling ominously. He charged without hesitation, his feet leaving craters in the stone floor.
"Devil Shock!"
A surge of violent dark energy erupted from the hammer, sending a shockwave straight toward Victor. The attack roared like a beast unleashed.
Victor watched it approachâthen smirked.
With a casual flick of his wrist, a wall of crimson mist swirled around him. The Devil Shock collided against it, but instead of explodingâ
It was absorbed.
Safari's eyes widened. "What theâ"
Victor's laughter echoed. "Did you think mere brute force could touch me?"
Zack's breathing grew labored as he desperately continued healing. "I can't... keep up."
Jen clenched her fists, helplessness clawing at her. She wanted to help â but what could she do?
Angeleva struggled to her feet, her wings flickering weakly. Even as blood stained her face, her eyes burned with determination. "We can't give up."
Safari growled. "Damn it. He's toying with us."
Victor's expression twisted into delight. "Of course I am. Where's the fun if you fall so easily?"
Then, raising his hand, Victor's crimson aura pulsed. The castle walls trembled as dark tendrils slithered along the ground, corrupting everything they touched.
"This time, I'll make sure none of you get back up."
The family braced themselves.
The château groaned as Victor's dark energy twisted the walls. Shadows slithered along the cracked stone, whispering foul promises. The vampire general's blood-red eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Your fear..." He inhaled deeply, his fangs gleaming. "It's delicious."
Safari spat blood, using his Devil Hammer to push himself up. "You'll regret that."
Angeleva's wings flickered, her light battling against the suffocating darkness. Despite the pain, her resolve only grew stronger. "We are not afraid."
Victor sneered. "Then prove it."