The sensation of crossing realms was different this time. Unlike the summoning through the Moon Altar, where Korvus had felt his consciousness stretched across an impossible distance, this transition felt more deliberate, controlled. The multicolored vortex enveloped them completely, and for a brief moment, they existed everywhere and nowhere simultaneously.
Then, reality reasserted itself with jarring suddenness.
Korvus's feet touched solid ground, and he instinctively dropped into a defensive stance, claws extended and senses alert. Beside him, Roy did the same, darkness already gathering around his hands as he scanned their surroundings.
Cold air hit them first—a sharp contrast to the perpetual heat of the Abyss. The night sky above was clouded and gray, with only faint moonlight penetrating the gloom. They stood on uneven ground covered in something soft and white—snow, Korvus realized, drawing on memories from his human life. The frozen precipitation was completely foreign to the volcanic landscapes of the demon realm.
"This is... Earth?" Roy whispered, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Or something like it?"
Korvus nodded slowly, extending his Observation Haki to assess their surroundings. "Similar, at least. The energy here feels... muted compared to the Abyss. More orderly, less chaotic."
They had materialized in a small clearing surrounded by towering pine trees, their branches heavy with snow. In the distance, lights flickered—evidence of human habitation. Even more distant, silhouetted against the night sky, loomed what appeared to be a massive castle perched atop a mountain peak.
"We should find shelter," Roy suggested, his wings folding tightly against his back to preserve warmth. "And determine exactly where—and when—we are."
As they moved toward the distant lights, Korvus noticed something unusual about the portal that had brought them here. Unlike the Moon Altar, which had created a temporary connection that closed after transit, the dimensional rift they had created remained visible behind them—a swirling vortex of prismatic energy suspended in midair.
"The portal's still active," he observed. "That could be useful if we need to retreat quickly."
Roy glanced back at it. "Or problematic if others discover it. We should conceal it somehow."
Korvus agreed. Using his recently developed Moon Breathing technique, he manipulated the ambient shadows to form a concealing shroud around the portal. It wouldn't hide it completely from determined searchers, but it would at least prevent casual discovery.
They continued through the forest, moving with the silent grace that came naturally to predators. As they approached the edge of the tree line, the source of the lights became clear—a small town nestled in the valley below, its buildings clustered around winding streets. The architecture was distinctly European, with sharp-peaked roofs now blanketed in snow.
"I recognize this style," Korvus said, memories from his human life providing context. "It resembles 19th-century Eastern Europe. Romania, perhaps, or Hungary."
Roy peered at the town with evident curiosity. "I'm sensing strange energy signatures. There's something... off about this place. Not demonic exactly, but not purely human either."
Before Korvus could respond, a piercing cry split the night—a sound that was neither animal nor human, but something in between. Both demons turned toward its source and saw a dark shape silhouetted against the clouded moon. The figure had a humanoid form but moved with supernatural speed, soaring through the air without visible means of flight.
"A vampire," Korvus whispered, the recognition immediate and startling. "This can't be coincidence."
Roy's eyes narrowed as he tracked the flying figure's path toward the distant castle. "No. The portal responded to our combined intent. We were thinking of 'somewhere interesting,' somewhere with 'potential for growth and discovery.' It seems the multiverse answered... specifically."
The implications were staggering. If this truly was a world where vampires existed—creatures drawn from human mythology and fiction—what did that say about the nature of reality itself? Were all fictional worlds somehow real in the multiverse? Or had their portal somehow manifested a realm based on their shared knowledge and expectations?
"We need more information," Korvus decided. "But first, we should disguise ourselves. Two demons walking openly into a human settlement would likely cause panic."
Roy nodded, manipulating the darkness around them to create concealing cloaks that obscured their most obviously demonic features. It wasn't perfect—anyone looking closely would still notice their inhuman aspects—but it might allow them to observe without immediately triggering alarm.
They descended toward the town, keeping to shadows and avoiding the few humans still abroad at this late hour. The streets were eerily quiet, with most windows shuttered tight despite the relatively early evening. Those few pedestrians they did see moved hurriedly, glancing nervously at the sky as if expecting attack from above.
"This place is under siege," Roy observed quietly. "The vampire we saw isn't an anomaly—it's a predator, and these humans are its prey."
They paused in the shadow of a large building that appeared to be some sort of tavern. Through its windows, they could see a small gathering of humans drinking by firelight, their expressions grim. Korvus focused his Observation Haki, enhancing his hearing to capture the conversation within.
"...three more taken last night," one man was saying, his voice heavy with despair. "Villelis can't protect us anymore—there are too few of them left."
"That damn vampire hunter hasn't helped either," another replied bitterly. "Ever since Van Helsing arrived, Dracula's brides have been even more aggressive, as if they're sending a message."
Korvus and Roy exchanged significant glances. Dracula. Van Helsing. Names that resonated with human mythology—and apparently, with reality in this realm.
"I know this story," Korvus whispered. "In my human life, these were fictional characters from a novel, and later from films. Dracula is a vampire lord who feeds on human blood. Van Helsing is a hunter dedicated to destroying him."
"And now we've somehow entered their world," Roy mused. "Fascinating."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Both demons melted deeper into the shadows as a carriage rattled down the street, drawn by four black horses. It moved with unnatural speed, its wheels barely seeming to touch the cobblestones.
As it passed their position, Korvus caught a glimpse of the occupant through the carriage window—a man with aristocratic features, deathly pale skin, and eyes that gleamed red in the darkness. The carriage didn't slow as it passed through the town, heading directly toward the mountain castle.
"Dracula himself, I presume," Roy murmured once the carriage had passed. "Powerful, even by demon standards. I can sense it from here."
Korvus nodded, reassessing their situation. They had entered a realm dominated by supernatural conflict—vampires preying on humans, hunters pursuing vampires. It presented both opportunities and dangers.
"We need a base of operations," he said. "Somewhere to gather information and plan our next moves. This town is clearly under Dracula's shadow, which means everyone is suspicious and fearful."
"I sensed an abandoned structure on the outskirts as we approached," Roy offered. "An old mill, I believe. It appeared intact but unoccupied."
They retreated from the town as silently as they had entered, making their way to the building Roy had identified. The old mill stood beside a now-frozen stream, its water wheel locked in ice. The building itself was sturdy stone and timber, with three levels and a partial cellar. As Roy had suggested, it appeared long abandoned, with dust and cobwebs covering the interior.
"This will serve our needs," Korvus decided, using his Flame Breathing to ignite a small fire in the old hearth. The warmth was welcome after the bitter cold outside, though neither demon truly required it for survival.
As the flames cast flickering shadows across the mill's interior, they settled to discuss their findings and plan their approach to this strange new world.
"What we've learned so far," Roy began, counting off on his clawed fingers, "is that we're in a realm that closely resembles 19th-century Eastern Europe—specifically Transylvania, given the mention of Dracula. This area is terrorized by vampires led by Count Dracula, who resides in that castle we saw. A vampire hunter named Van Helsing has recently arrived, apparently with limited success so far."
"And there was mention of 'Villelis'—presumably a family with some role in combating the vampires," Korvus added. "Though they seem to be dwindling in numbers."
"The question," Roy said, manipulating small tendrils of darkness between his fingers contemplatively, "is what opportunity this realm presents for us. We came seeking knowledge and power beyond what the Abyss could offer."
Korvus considered this carefully. "Vampires in human mythology possess several abilities that could be valuable to understand—transformation, mental domination, immortality of a sort. If such beings exist here, studying them could provide insights we can apply to our own development."
"And this Van Helsing," Roy added. "If he hunts supernatural creatures successfully, he must possess knowledge and techniques worth acquiring."
"There's something else to consider," Korvus said, his expression turning thoughtful. "The portal we created remains active. Unlike my experience with the Moon Altar, where I was summoned temporarily to another realm and then returned, we've physically traveled here with the ability to return at will."
"Which means we could potentially bring things—or knowledge—back with us," Roy concluded, seeing the implication. "Including souls, if we find suitable sources."
The mention of souls raised an important consideration. In the Abyss, consuming souls was the primary means of increasing power for demons. Would the same hold true in this realm? Would the souls here provide different benefits than those of the Abyss?
"We should approach this methodically," Korvus decided. "First, gather more information about the major players—Dracula, Van Helsing, this Villelis family. Second, assess the relative powers and weaknesses of the vampires compared to our own abilities. Third, determine what knowledge or resources would be most valuable to acquire before returning to the Abyss."
"And all while maintaining a low profile," Roy added. "We don't know how the native powers might react to demons in their midst. Better to observe before revealing ourselves."
They spent the remainder of the night planning and preparing. Roy used his darkness manipulation to create more convincing disguises—cloaks that would better conceal their demonic features when they needed to move among humans. Korvus practiced modulating his Harmonic Breathing to suit this realm's different energy patterns, finding that the techniques required subtle adjustments to work effectively here.
As dawn approached, bringing a pale gray light to the snow-covered landscape, they prepared to sleep through the day—maintaining the nocturnal schedule that would allow them to observe the vampires in action. Before resting, however, Korvus checked the portal once more, ensuring its stability and reinforcing the shadow concealment.
"It's holding steady," he reported. "I don't think we need to worry about it closing unexpectedly."
Roy nodded, settling into a defensive position that would allow for quick response if they were discovered. "Tomorrow night, we begin our true exploration of this realm. The hunting grounds of Dracula await."
As he prepared for rest, Korvus reflected on how drastically their circumstances had changed in such a short time. From newly hatched demons struggling to survive on a magma beach, they had evolved into interdimensional travelers exploring realms beyond the Abyss. The Essence of the Blank had promised limitless potential—now that potential was being realized in ways he could never have anticipated.
What secrets might they uncover in this realm of vampires and hunters? What powers might they acquire to further their evolution? And what other worlds might await beyond the next portal?
The hunt had transcended even his expanding imagination, becoming a quest across the very boundaries of reality itself.
They awoke at twilight, the transition from day to night marked by the howling of wolves in the distant mountains. The sound was eerily appropriate for a land dominated by Dracula, who in many human legends could command such beasts.
After confirming that their portal remained secure, Korvus and Roy prepared for a more thorough exploration of their new environment. Their plan was straightforward—observe the town more closely, gather information about the power dynamics between humans, vampires, and hunters, and potentially witness the supernatural beings in action.
"We should split up," Roy suggested as they stood at the edge of the frozen stream, the lights of the town visible in the valley below. "Cover more ground that way. I'll focus on the town itself, try to gather information from the human perspective. You have the better sensory abilities with your Observation Haki—you should try to observe the vampires directly."
Korvus nodded in agreement. "We'll meet back here before dawn to share what we've learned. If either of us encounters serious danger, retreat immediately. We don't know enough about this realm's powers to risk direct confrontation yet."
With that understanding, they separated, each moving silently through the snowy landscape toward their respective targets.
Korvus headed toward the mountain castle, taking advantage of the heavily forested slopes to approach undetected. As he climbed higher, he extended his Observation Haki to its maximum range, seeking to sense the energy signatures of the castle's inhabitants before physically approaching.
What he detected surprised him. The castle radiated a dark energy similar in some ways to demonic power, but with distinct differences. Where demonic energy in the Abyss was chaotic and primal, this power felt more... refined. Controlled. Ancient, but evolved along different lines than the demons he had encountered.
As he drew closer, he began to distinguish individual presences within the castle. The strongest by far was located in what he presumed to be the central keep—a presence that radiated such concentrated power that it momentarily overwhelmed his senses. Dracula, without question. Surrounding this central presence were three lesser but still formidable energies, moving throughout the castle with inhuman speed. The "brides" mentioned in the town, perhaps.
But there was something else that caught Korvus's attention—a faint, jagged disruption in the energy patterns surrounding the castle. It reminded him of the portal they had created, though much less stable. Another connection between realms? If so, it suggested that Dracula or his servants had access to interdimensional travel as well.
Climbing to a ridge that offered a clear view of the castle while keeping him concealed within the treeline, Korvus settled in to observe. The massive structure was Gothic in design, with high towers and flying buttresses that seemed to pierce the cloudy sky. Few lights burned in its many windows, giving it an abandoned appearance despite the powerful presences he sensed within.
As he watched, movement at one of the higher towers caught his attention. A balcony door swung open, and a figure emerged—female in form, with pale skin that seemed to glow in the faint moonlight. Her movements were unnaturally fluid as she stepped to the edge of the balcony and then, without hesitation, transformed. Her body seemed to dissolve, reconfiguring into a swarm of bats that took flight into the night sky.
One of Dracula's brides, hunting.
Korvus tracked the swarm as it descended toward the town below. The transformation ability was fascinating—not merely shape-shifting but a complete dissolution and reformation of physical form. Was it a matter of molecular control? Some form of energy-to-matter conversion? The principles behind such an ability could have significant applications if understood and adapted.
He continued his observation for several hours, witnessing each of the three vampire brides leave the castle in similar fashion. Dracula himself remained within, the powerful presence stationary in what Korvus presumed was the castle's main chamber.
Around midnight, his patience was rewarded with a new development. The brides returned—not as a swarm of bats, but in their humanoid forms, dragging something between them. As they landed on the castle balcony, Korvus focused his enhanced vision and saw their burden clearly: a human, still alive but clearly terrified, bound and gagged.
A live feeding, then. The vampires weren't simply killing for blood—they were bringing victims back to the castle for some purpose. Was it merely preference, or was there some requirement for the blood to be extracted in a specific location? Another detail worth investigating.
As the night progressed, Korvus witnessed several more hunting forays by the brides, though not all resulted in captured prey. Some returned empty-handed, suggesting that the hunting was becoming more difficult—perhaps due to the human population's increased caution, or the presence of Van Helsing that had been mentioned.
Speaking of the hunter...
Around three in the morning, a new energy signature appeared on Korvus's Observation Haki—different from both the vampires and ordinary humans. This presence moved with purpose along the base of the mountain, apparently tracking one of the vampire brides who was returning to the castle. The energy pattern suggested a human base, but enhanced somehow—not supernatural in the same way as the vampires, but not entirely natural either.
Van Helsing, Korvus surmised, carefully shifting his position to observe this new player.
The hunter moved with impressive skill for a human, navigating the difficult terrain without noise or hesitation. He carried weapons—Korvus could sense the metallic components—but also something else... something that registered to his Observation Haki as blessed or consecrated. Religious artifacts of some kind, presumably effective against the undead.
The confrontation, when it came, was brief but intense. The vampire bride, sensing pursuit, turned to engage rather than flee. She descended in a flurry of bats, reforming directly behind Van Helsing in an attempt to surprise him. But the hunter was prepared, spinning with inhuman reflexes to face her, a crossbow already raised.
The bolt he fired struck the vampire in the shoulder, causing her to shriek in pain and rage. Whatever the projectile was made of or treated with, it caused visible harm—smoke rising from the wound as if the flesh were burning. The vampire lunged forward despite the injury, moving faster than any human could track.
But Van Helsing was not entirely human, Korvus realized, watching the hunter match the vampire's speed. He ducked under her striking claws, rolling to the side and coming up with what appeared to be vials of clear liquid. He hurled these at the vampire, the contents splashing across her face and arms.
Holy water, perhaps? Whatever it was, the effect was immediate and devastating. The vampire's skin blistered and burned where the liquid touched, her shrieks growing more desperate. She attempted to transform again, but the process seemed interrupted by her injuries.
Van Helsing pressed his advantage, drawing a short sword that gleamed silver in the moonlight. The vampire, realizing her peril, abandoned the fight, managing a partial transformation into a smaller swarm of bats that fled erratically toward the castle.
The hunter didn't pursue, instead pausing to recover his equipment and examine something on the ground—blood from the wounded vampire, Korvus realized. Van Helsing collected a sample in a small vial before disappearing back into the forest, moving away from both the castle and the town.
Fascinating. The hunter was indeed formidable, with knowledge and tools specifically designed to combat vampires. And yet, he had allowed the wounded bride to escape rather than pursuing her to destruction. Was it caution? Strategy? Or something else entirely?
As dawn approached, Korvus decided he had gathered sufficient information for one night. He retreated from his observation point, careful to leave no trace of his presence, and began the journey back to the abandoned mill where he would meet Roy.
His partner was already waiting when he arrived, seated beside the remnants of the fire they had lit the previous night.
"Productive evening?" Roy inquired as Korvus entered.
"Very," Korvus confirmed, settling opposite his partner. "I observed the castle, the vampire brides, and even a confrontation between one of them and who I presume was Van Helsing. You?"
Roy's expression was one of intrigued calculation. "I infiltrated the town successfully—the humans are too preoccupied with their vampire problem to notice another predator in their midst. I learned quite a bit about the local situation."
He proceeded to share his findings. The town was named Transylvania, apparently the very one from human legends. It had been terrorized by Dracula for centuries, with the vampire treating the population as his personal feeding stock. A noble family named Villelis had sworn a blood oath to defeat Dracula, but after four hundred years of failure, their numbers had dwindled to just two remaining members.
"The interesting part," Roy continued, "is how Dracula came to be. According to local legend, he was originally the son of the Villelis family's ancestor. Four hundred years ago, he became a vampire by signing a contract with a demon, gaining eternal life and supernatural power in the process."
"A demon contract?" Korvus repeated, immediately understanding the significance. "That explains the disruption I sensed in the energy patterns around the castle—a residual connection to the Abyss, perhaps. And it suggests that traveling between realms isn't as unusual here as we might have thought."
"Exactly," Roy agreed. "But here's where it gets even more interesting. The town's mayor, a man named Lucius, recently attempted the same approach—summoning a demon to combat Dracula. According to rumors I overheard, he succeeded."
Korvus leaned forward, intrigued. "Another demon, here in this realm? Recently? We should find this Lucius, learn more about the summoning."
"My thoughts exactly," Roy nodded. "If demon contracts are established practice in this realm, it presents opportunities. The humans here are desperate for protection from the vampires—they might be willing to offer significant payment in exchange for our assistance."
"Including souls," Korvus mused, considering the possibilities. "But there's more at stake than just harvesting power. The vampire abilities I witnessed—transformation, enhanced speed and strength, apparent immortality—could be valuable to understand and potentially incorporate into our own development."
"And Van Helsing's methods as well," Roy added. "You mentioned he fought with unusual speed for a human. If he's found ways to enhance himself to combat supernatural threats, that knowledge could be applicable to our own evolution."
They spent the remaining hours before dawn discussing their observations and planning their next steps. The immediate priority would be to locate and approach this Mayor Lucius, learn more about his demon summoning, and potentially position themselves as alternative protectors for the town.
"We could present ourselves as rivals to Dracula," Korvus suggested. "Not as demons, initially, but as powerful entities willing to oppose the vampires in exchange for... appropriate compensation."
"The humans would likely accept any help at this point," Roy agreed. "And it would give us the opportunity to observe the vampires in direct combat, assess their capabilities more thoroughly."
"Then there's Van Helsing to consider," Korvus added. "If he's truly as capable as he appeared, he could be either a valuable ally or a significant threat, depending on his attitude toward beings like us."
As the first light of dawn brightened the eastern sky, they secured the mill for another day of rest, setting simple alarms that would alert them to any intrusion. Before settling in, Korvus checked the portal once more, finding it still stable and well-concealed.
"Tomorrow night," he said as they prepared for sleep, "we make contact with Lucius. If there's another demon active in this realm, I want to know its intentions—and the exact nature of its contract."
Roy nodded in agreement. "And then we determine our role in this fascinating little drama of vampires and hunters. I confess, I'm growing quite interested in seeing how it all unfolds."
As Korvus drifted toward sleep, he reflected on the strange twist their journey had taken. From the chaotic Abyss to a realm drawn from human mythology, with vampires and demon contracts and vampire hunters... The multiverse was proving to be far more complex and interconnected than even his expanded demonic consciousness had imagined.
And somewhere in this tangled web of supernatural conflict lay opportunities for growth beyond anything the Abyss could offer. All they needed to do was identify the most valuable threads—and then pull them carefully, unraveling secrets that could accelerate their evolution to heights no ordinary demon could dream of reaching.
The hunt continued, across dimensions and between worlds, every step taking them further from their origins and closer to whatever destiny awaited beings who defied the conventional limitations of demonkind.