The Fallen Vampire

Chapter 169 : The Red One

Within the bustling village of the asanbosam, energy was high and excitement was prevalent as the entire village traveled towards a very special destination.

Just south of the village, a rocky lakeside area situated underneath a large waterfall, torches were lit by the dozens to illuminate the surroundings that night had already covered.

The number of villagers was large enough that they were all able to circle the bank and have a great view of the fighting grounds.

The Youn Wouj appeared standing in the middle of the shallow lake- taking a moment to enjoy the feel of the cold water splashing in between her toes.

Her eyes wandered over to the western corner, where the humans that had already been captured were dangling off of a rocky wall that looked like it was going to give at any second.

The Red One became noticeably more excited once she imagined a few falling to their death early and becoming cause for an impromptu meal.

Finally, she could no longer bear the suffocating weight of her own patience and beckoned her dance partner for the night to come closer.

"My blood-kin cry for entertainment, little link. As a gracious guest it is rude of you to keep them waiting for the spectacle to begin."

Eyes from almost every tribesman were directed towards Taira and his group.

The faces of all except one of them were somewhat pleasant.

"...You do not have to do this." Taira said for what felt like the thousandth time.

"I don't care about these guys or Astel's stupid test, they can all die for all I care! I won't see you get hurt for them!" Vermeil said for what felt like a thousand and one times.

"I've heard you both already. Will you take this for me?"

Vermeil took Keran's kimono worriedly as she watched her undress bitterly.

After a few years of sedentary life she might not have been as muscular as she once was, but her body was still nicely toned and beautiful.

Lying beneath her usual robe was a sleek leather bodysuit with no sleeves for added mobility.

Her stomach was cut out to give her more breathing room, and to allow her intricately developed abs to be on full display.

"Will you do me a favor, my loves?" she asked as she fastened her belt.

The family nodded immediately as if she didnt even have to ask.

"Please... Don't interfere under any circumstances. I'd like it very much if you would let me do this on my own."

"But she is-"

"I know that my victory is unlikely, but I also know that she will not kill me. This is a good opportunity or me to see exactly how much farther I have to grow. As well as where I currently stand."

Taira looked like he was about to have an aneurism.

At that moment, Keran plummeted from his sky like a man made rocket and crashed into the ground.

An explosion of pink flame shot out in every direction and bathed the battlefield in light.

A small earthquake ensued as a giant glowing pink tree sprang up from the ground.

With the blowing of the wind, showers of petals came billowing down to the ground where they produced even more columns of flame; thereby protecting Keran by ensuring she had room to breathe.

However, she made the mistake of underestimating the mental instability of her opponent.

Keran blinked one single time and the next thing she knew there was a horribly burned and disfigured hand right in front of her face.

'She didn't even try to avoid it?!'

Tiche proceeded to grab Keran by the face and held her jaw shut so that she couldn't scream.

Faster than the eye could see, the chieftain proceeded to slice open Keran's belly with a pair of gleaming silver claws.

As her entrails came spilling out onto the ground, Tiche finally stepped through the flames and revealed her horribly burnt appearance.

Ever so slowly, her healing began to kick in and she smiled sinisterly.

"That was indeed excruciating, little link. But I am not one who is so inept that I would buckle underneath the weight of some minor discomfort. Let us see if you share that proclivity."

-

After watching for only a short time, Taira had already seen more than enough.

He started to summon Yasuke and run to her aid when Aveena suddenly hugged him tightly from behind.

"Don't go, Taira. You have to let her do this even if it's hard..."

"What?? But she-"

"In all of the time that we've been a family, when has Keran ever asked us for anything...? I know it's hard, but please just let her do this. We owe it to her to have faith in her ability."

Aveena didn't let Taira go afterwards- it was almost like she was afraid he would casually disregard her words and rush to Keran's aid.

For the first time in a long time, he was completely stumped about what the right thing to do was.

Every bone in his body was screaming for him to run to Keran's defense before the situation worsened.

But as Aveena had said, Keran hadn't asked anything of him or any of them in fifty years of being together.

So was he not obligated to heed her one, simple request?

All he knew for sure was that he had to come to a decision quickly...