Arlo’s POV

I could feel how broken and guilt-ridden she was judging by the way she hugged me before leaving. No words could have comforted her for she carried the heavy burdens of everything that went down.

After she was gone Shumal Sensei gathered all the vampires and lead us to the portal. The howling and screeches of various monsters echoed from all around the barrier and I wondered how long the barrier will hold.

Dria had gathered my luggage while I was talking to Serene and had brought it to me. My mind went to my family and I wanted to reach them as soon as possible to make sure my parents were safe. Everyone seemed to be on edge. Dria held my hand and squeezed as we walked to the portal.

Sahala gave me a goodbye nod before she stepped into the portal ahead of us and I acknowledged her by doing the same. Shumal Sensei lead us through the portal one by one.

Stepping into the portal jelly we swirled around for a few seconds before finding solid footing.

Dria and I stepped outside the portal and Shumal Sensei was waiting for us. The extreme cold of our Realm hit differently. A snowstorm was raging and it chilled me to the bone. The portal was located near Queen Vilarja’s castle, which was located two miles North.

The Dark Realm was located further North and lay hundreds of miles from our city in a deserted location that was strewn with few snow-covered peaks. It was difficult to access and we didn’t know what kind of monsters will make their way to our Realm.

Dria and I lived in the same city where Queen Vilarja lived. Our houses were located in the South of the portal at a distance of about 10 miles. The weather was always cold since the position of our Realm was such that the sun hardly ever shone here and winters were extremely cold. Snow storms raged throughout our realm and everything would become snow-covered.

Vegetation in our realm was scarce and only a few trees that could survive the harsh weather grew here. Most of the families herded animals and used their blood for their everyday use but animal fodder was usually imported from other realms.

A special kind of element was found in the air of our realm called "Amirze" which when mixed with air gave a reddish-pink hue to the atmosphere of our realm. So it was cold and darkish red with a snowy white ambiance today. The smell was always of blood for it was what we all craved and drank.

Sahala’s parents were here to pick her up. So she waved us goodbye before leaving with them. Since vampires had the super speed we hardly had transport in our realm. Carts were used to transport animals but vampires preferred traveling on foot.

"I will accompany you both to your homes and will make sure you reach them safely." Shumal Sensei addressed us once Sahala was gone, I could see her shivering due to the cold weather.

"It’s alright Sensei, we can go on our own from here," I replied while rubbing my hands together trying to stay warm.

"It’s my duty to ensure you people reach home safe and sound. I will drop you off. Arlo, lead the way." Shumal Sensei instructed. I nodded and we began to run in the direction of our houses. Dria lived in the same neighborhood as I did. We had one backpack each which we were wearing.

Nothing seemed out of place except an increase in patrolling units which I guessed was due to the barrier-breaking. People were going on about their everyday lives as if nothing had happened.

It was expected from vampires, for all that it mattered they would be delighted that the barrier was broken. It meant more creatures to hunt down for blood.

Soon we were in front of Dria’s house. She invited Shumal Sensei in but she wanted to get back to The Institute as soon as possible. I told her that my house was nearby and I would reach it on my own. She gave both of us a hug before deciding to head back and told us to stay safe. Her grim expressions told me how stressed she was.

Once she was gone Dria turned to me and wrapped her arms around my neck and peered into my eyes before speaking: "Come back after checking on your parents so we can do some monster hunting. I want to sink my teeth into some new kind of monster and taste their blood."

"Let’s not seek dangers Dria, we don’t even know what is going to hit us." I kept eye contact with her.

"Come on, Arlo. Don’t be a buzz kill. Now that she has done what I always knew she would end up doing, let’s make the most of it." She spoke with a sneer and I knew she was referring to Serene.

"You realize she was mind-controlled and had no control over her actions. She has suffered a lot and it’s just the beginning of the perils our world has been plunged into." I brushed aside the hair which was falling on her face.

"I know but it’s not your headache Arlo. She has enough people around her who can take care of her." She emphasized leaning closer to me so her nose touched mine. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Dria, I care about you but I care about her as well. You know pretty well I will never stop doing that. It would make everything easier if you will accept this fact."

"I know I know but I don’t want her seducing you and trying to depend on you. Nor do I like when you give her attention which is supposed to be mine." Her hands slipped into my hair and gripped them tightly.

"That’s the thing Dria she doesn’t have to seduce anyone to win them over."

"Really? Well, her choice of apparel at the latest party negates your words but then again you can never see any fault in her. I love seducing you though." Saying that she pressed her lips against mine, enveloping them in hers. I returned her kiss pulling her closer by the waist.

The door to her house opened and her mother stepped outside seeing us entrapped she coughed: "Ahm," with a raised eyebrow. I let her go instantly while Dria chuckled at my action.

"Hello! Mrs. Stahine," I greeted her while raking my hair so it would stop falling in my eyes.

"Hello! Arlo, nice of you to drop Dria home considering what has happened. Would you like to come in?" She gestured towards the house. Her black hair was neatly tied in a bun and her intense blue eyes held intelligence just like Dria.

"Thank you, but I would like to head home and meet my parents. They will be worried." I added offering a soft bow.

"I will come to meet you." Dria winked at me before waving and heading inside with her mother while I turned and left her house which was painted red and held an ominous look.

I made my way to my house. The street was strewn with light snow and my boots were already soaking wet. The silence was all that could be heard as I passed through the houses. Everyone seemed to be tucked inside.

Suddenly I heard a loud squeaking sound coming from far away. I squinted my eyes to see what it was and saw an enormous bird-like creature flying towards me. Spotting me it squeaked again and sped up.

My senses kicked in and my body adjusted to fight mode. It screeched and its greenish wide mouth opened, ready to attack me. When its whole body jerked and burst open as if an explosion had taken place inside it.

I immediately took a step back as the chunks of its raw flesh and blood splattered all over the white snow. ’What had just happened?’ I wondered as I frantically glanced in all directions.

A slow heartbeat could be heard coming in my direction and then a figure appeared from the far end of the road. Approaching closer I noticed it was a middle-aged Slayer.

"You good? Young Man." He inquired running towards me.

"Yes," I replied while sidestepping from the massacre.

"We had been tracking the whole herd since they left the Dark Realm. This was the last one that had escaped and I finally caught up to it." He smiled at me and offered his hand. I shook it and thanked him.

"Go home. We have this covered." He patted my back and I gave one last glance at the remains of the creature before heading home.

Reaching the blue door of my house right around the corner, I knocked on it with the brass door knocker. The door instantly opened and my mother stood there with her shimmering red eyes and beautiful crimson hair which I had inherited from her. Her smile broadened as her eyes met mine and she opened her arms to embrace me.

"Mother," I whispered as she kissed my head.

"My son, welcome back home."