The Transcenders

Chapter 31 - Hellish City (8)

The sun shone into Aaron's cyan eyes as he looked upon the shadow that stood a few metres before him.

Its sharp wings, fangs, and claws seemed to threaten to kill anyone that stumbled in its way.

It was a fierce wizard, a harbinger of death; it was Ejiro Sani, the vampire.

He gazed at the others with hatred that sent shivers down their spine.

"I didn't think you'd be stupid enough to come up here." Gabriella sighed behind her two guards.

"You shouldn't have provoked me!"

Ejiro jumped forward with his cursed vampire magic. Cursed magic was considered a branch of dark magic. However, the main difference that divided the two was that the cursed powers appeared later, in the Second War (21st Century), and the cursed people could pass on these powers.

Nonetheless, cursed powers such as the vampire abilities were some of the best when used correctly.

Two medium vampires jumped in front of Ejiro. Despite this, Ejiro didn't stop in his tracks.

A radiant yellow glow emerged from Ejiro's hand.

*Squish*

Before they could close their eyes, two golden beams penetrated their sclera to the brain, killing them in the process. All of this happened in a flash.

"Hey, s-stop him!"

Soon after, Gabriella's two high vampires attacked him. One, a big muscular man, anchored himself in Ejiro's path with his long, intimidating black wings.

"Don't underestimate me!" Ejiro's strong black claws punctured the vampire's chest. However, he didn't budge.

"RAAGH!" The other high vampire, a faster and shorter male, flanked from the side. He attempted to slice Ejiro with his curvy karambit knives. The latter swiftly dodged by taking a few steps back.

Gabriella looked around. On the farthest corner of the rooftop, she noticed the last medium vampire cowering in fear. The minister, Alen Van Ortoz, was observing the fight from a distance with a confident smile.

Including her and Alen, there were four high vampires against Ejiro.

Still, she couldn't help but worry.

Suddenly, someone piqued her interest: Aaron Amon, the hostage.

Aaron noticed her intentions. He started running to an unoccupied corner. "Ejiro!"

"!!!"

*Swoosh*

Ejiro's shadow bypassed the two high vampires. He gave all he had in his long legs.

"She's faster than me!"

With her sharp claws placed on Aaron's neck, Gabriella got there first.

Aaron was hyperventilating, but an adrenaline boost permitted him to react quickly. 'This'll drain my mana, but it's the only chance I've got!'

*Wooosh*

Aaron's anti-magic shackles reacted quickly to the wind magic and drained the remaining of his mana. But-

Ejiro's expression confounded. It showed a hint of anxiety. He tilted his head downwards.

Below his feet was the inviting void. Aaron and Gabriella Rivampe were dropping fast.

"What? Do you intend to kill us?!" Gabriella flapped her wings but only managed to slow down the fall.

Aaron held onto her legs as best he could. If he was to die, he should make it worth it.

"Stop! Let go of my leg!"

"Aaron!" Ejiro followed after them. He nose-dived aerodynamically to increase his speed.

Ejiro pointed his hand at Gabriella. Struggling against Aaron, she was an easy target. 'I have to kill her!'

Gabriella looked at him with a face filled with anguish.

*Bang!*

Blood dripped onto Aaron's face. His pupils dilated.

But Gabriella wasn't hurt.

"Mister Sani!" Ejiro had a big gap to the side of his head. Blood gushed out, and a chunk of brain tore apart. A ringing noise deafened him. Thankfully, he had avoided fatality by tilting his head before getting hit.

The perpetrator appeared behind him. Holding a large handgun, Alen van Ortoz smiled cheerfully. All he could think about was how he saved the queen, meaning she now owed him a great dept.

Ejiro's vampiric form disappeared. Unconscious, he fell by Gabriella.

Suddenly, she noticed the weight below her increasing. Aaron had caught Ejiro by the arm.

"DIE ALREADY!"

The minister sped down beside Aaron and pointed his handgun at Ejiro.

Holding on to Gabriella and mister Sani, Aaron's two arms weren't available.

So he made a heat-in-the-moment decision.

*Bang*

A hand covered the gun's tip. A wide gap in it and veins torn apart, Aaron had sacrificed his hand and let go of Gabriella's leg.

After doing so, he had to grab onto the minister.

Then, Alen prepared to fire a shot at Aaron this time.

"That was foolish of you."

"No, it wasn't." Ejiro opened his golden eyes.

Fangs penetrated Alen Van Ortoz's neck.

Gabriella looked below her, only to see the minister's body get tossed into a window on the side of the skyscraper.

...

The Transcenders.

That was the title given to once regular people.

Who, by sheer will, determination and perseverance,

Ascended to the realm of the gods, and became gods.

However, almost no one could achieve such a feat,

And all who did faced many hardships throughout their journey.

This is the story of a few Transcenders

Who lost many things along their climb...

To pursue power, revenge, justice and love.

...

(I've updated the first chapter with this short text that gives more context to the story)