Chapter 126: Tension around the World
Currently seated around the long obsidian table were the most influential vampires in the world: Lord Eirikr Nattheim of the Lofoten Islands of Norway, Lord Hwaran Bulhwa of Jeju Island in South Korea, Lord Orhan Vardeyan of Cappadocia in Turkey, Lady Seraphyne Nyx Caernavar of the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Lady Lyra Vespera Crymorra of Mount Erebus in Antarctica, Lord Manco Viray Yana Puma of the Andes Mountains in South America, Lady Zahira Nemet Serkhet of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, Lord Ferenc Nocturnis of the Carpathian Basin in Hungary, Lord Cassian Alborn Maravento of the Azores Islands in Portugal, Lord Võ Huyết Linh of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, Lady Rowena Nightshade of the Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern U.S., Lady Isolde Ravenshadow of the Boreal Forest in Canada, Lady Marli Nyree of the Blue Mountains in Australia, Lord Kunga Morven of the Tibetan Plateau in China, Lady Anika Valtor of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, and finally, Lord Alexander Ivanov of the Greater Caucasus in Russia.
Only one seat remained empty... the seat reserved for the King of Vampires, Vlad Dracula Tepes.
The Vampire King was currently in eternal slumber, a mystical method of preserving his life force. Over a thousand years ago, Vlad had reached the threshold of perfect harmonization with his vampiric essence. Yet he refused to ascend or leave Earth, choosing instead to remain with his kind. When his body began to show signs of aging, he made the decision to enter this deep hibernation.
He could only be awakened under one condition: when the vampire race faced a threat so dire it could lead to their extinction. No other reason was acceptable. This was not due to pride, but necessity... for once awakened, he would begin to age again and could not re-enter slumber for at least a hundred years. Therefore, barring emergencies, the Vampire High Council handled all affairs of vampire society, both large and small.
Today, the council had gathered to discuss the global implications of the death of the King of Werewolves. Although they were aware of the current interim king, the coronation had yet to take place, and in their world, anything could happen before then.
After hours of debate, the consensus became clear: war between vampires and werewolves was unlikely. The supernatural community was tense, but not on the brink of open conflict. The only real possibility of disruption would be if another member of the Lychos clan challenged the new king.
No matter one’s popularity, wisdom, or capability, supernatural society revered strength above all. Only a sacred duel could stop a Heir Apparent from ascending to the throne. Until the coronation ceremony was concluded, the vampire council would evaluate their relationships with werewolf clans on a case-by-case basis, proceeding with caution and strategy.
***
Similar meetings were unfolding across the globe among other supernatural factions.
The Merfolk convened in their capital city, Nyrrendhal, located beneath the icy waters off the coast of Iceland along the Reykjanes Ridge.
The Nagas held counsel in their underground capital, Vasukihaar, hidden beneath the Ganges River in India.