Frostfire Legacy

Vanessa stared at Selene, a thin frown now appearing in place of her previous arrogant expression. She could understand that she had the advantage overall, even if she forced the situation to continue.

However, the risk of Selene doing as she threatened to was undeniable.

Even with her strength, getting sucked into the void of space would spell her death. What more with an extra baggage that she needed to protect?

Of course, Selene was in the same boat. She would die with 99% certainty if she ever fell into the void of space, even with Scheid's help. Not to mention the other three, who Vanessa's Blood Palace Descent weakened until they couldn't even stand up anymore.

"STOP IT NOW!" Selene growled, feeling that her limit was nearing too.

Behind her, the Shadow Spirit King Scheid had already manifested, appearing like a man in a black hooded cape—like the Grim Reaper, less the scythe. On his face under the hood, nothing could be seen apart from a large mouth curving like a crescent moon, appearing unnervingly creepy.

Selene's trembling hands moved, about to signal Scheid to start devouring the space itself.

"... Alright, alright. Calm down."

Vanessa sighed, snapping her fingers as a signal at the same time. As she did, the blood flowing out of their bodies stopped completely.

"Then, what now?" Vanessa asked. "Wanna have a chat or something? I'm in a hurry though."

Although her "attack" stopped, she wasn't kind enough to return their blood to them. They're enemies, either way, so that's their problem, not hers.

Selene looked over at her three "allies" and frowned. Solara and Kaz were still fine, although weakened. However, their support, Chronalisa, was already downed and unconscious. If they continued fighting, then they'd be at an absolute disadvantage, even if they had more people on their side.

She glanced at the Spirit King behind her before finally sighing.

"... We'll retreat," she declared with a disappointed tone before glaring straight at Vanessa. "And I'm warning you, if you try to attack us from the back, I'll let Scheid destroy this very dimension."

After she finished her words, she waved her hand. At that moment, the shadows beside the three squirmed before turning into mouths and swallowing them whole. Selene turned around, about to move out of that dimension, but then, Vanessa's words stopped her in her tracks.

"Wait."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"..."

Seeing her stiffen in either fear or surprise, Vanessa couldn't help but chuckle mischievously.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to eat you or anything. Anyway, then tell me how to go to the center of this dimension? I feel like if we rely on our own, we would be stuck wandering for weeks looking for it."

"... Just that?" Selene asked, sighing in relief. "Then just head straight down. That should take you to the control room's dimension."

"You're not tricking us to head to our deaths, right?" Vanessa just had to ask, raising a brow at Selene's words.

After all, below them right now was nothing but flat darkness. "Oh, that?" Selene noticed what she was worried about and waved her hands. As she did, the darkness that covered all directions faded, returning to the hooded figure behind her.

As the darkness faded, the scenery finally revealed itself to Vanessa. The place wasn't actually some desolate outer space, but instead a dimension filled with brilliant light and greenery. The floating islands were up in the sky, scattered around like clouds.

Peeking down, Vanessa could see some sort of altar below, with a large crystal in its middle. Without even the need to guess, she knew that it was what Selene was talking about—the path leading toward the center.

Selene turned around, about to move away once more, but stopped and spoke. No, it was closer to her giving a warning.

"You plan to visit the core area, right? Then, be careful. Our boss is over there, and I'm sure even you can't handle him."

After leaving those words, she leaped into the air before flying away. Her figure turned into a dot in the distance not long after, no longer within view.

"..."

Vanessa finally let out a soft sigh. Honestly, their situation was quite perilous. Although she got the advantage after activating her Blood Palace Descent, keeping that up and running was quite taxing on her too.

If Selene didn't offer a stalemate, then Vanessa would have been forced to use the technique to her limits, bringing her a victory in the current battle... but would end up unable to fight for Aster in succeeding battles.

"Well, what's done is done." She shrugged, quickly changing gears. "Anyway, I'll be heading toward Aster first. What do you plan to do?"

Faeloria, who was the one she asked, hesitatingly responded. "I..."

Currently, her body was burning hot, aroused beyond reason. Vanessa's blood-based potion-cum-aphrodisiac was so effective that she was literally suffering!

"... Want me to help you?" Vanessa teased lightly, licking her lips.

However, Faeloria wasn't in the mood to joke around anymore.

"No. Prioritize going to the center. I have a feeling that the situation isn't favorable for us if you dally here," she announced with a serious expression. "I'll try and follow after I've calmed down a little."

"Alright, I understand." Vanessa shrugged once more. "Then, wanna borrow some toys of mine? I have unused ones in my ring."

"... Just go."

Faeloria seemed a little tempted but quickly shook off the thought. Right now, her sixth sense was telling her that rather than playing around, they needed to move immediately.

"I'm not sure, but I think Aster is in danger," she explained, causing Vanessa's expression to turn serious in a snap.

"I understand." Vanessa nodded. "Then leave Aster to me. I'll make sure I protect him until you arrive."

Without waiting for Faeloria's reply, she quickly rushed to the edge of the floating island and jumped into a freefall. Of course, falling from a height of over three kilometers would still kill her, despite how high her level is, but it's not like she would simply fall down without resistance.

*FLAP!*

Just as she fell halfway to the ground, a pair of blood-red bat-like wings—as wide as she was tall—appeared on her back, quickly controlling her descent and falling direction. Of course, as a vampire, Vanessa knows how to fly!