Days passed, and eventually, Nyros bid farewell to Kael and the others. He left without revealing where he was going. Kael remained in the hospital for a few more days to continue recovering. During that time, Liseria visited him often, sometimes staying for long stretches as if she had no one else to speak to. She explained many important things—about the Kaldras family, about the continent they were in now: Valaryth. There were many cities across this continent, each ruled by one of the Great Houses. But what surprised Kael most was the size of the Gray District.
The Lower Layer extended beneath the entire continent, meaning Kael had only seen a drop from the ocean. And the Gray District was massive too, lying in the middle of all the cities. It served as the only connection between them, preventing unwanted individuals from sneaking into the cities. There were ninety-nine steps—each one guarded by a Blood Shade. Beyond this continent lay other lands, where the Grand Gates and the Uncharted Gates were located. But humans weren't the dominant race there. Strange tribes lived in those regions, along with wild monsters. It was even said that the Law of Blood didn't apply to some of those lands.
Kael had learned so much. His eyes had opened to the vastness, beauty, and danger of the world around him. Whenever he found a quiet moment alone, he focused on understanding his lineage. The voice he used to hear had gone silent ever since he absorbed the Black Blood. After something Silvana had said, he came to a conclusion.
In its early stages, a bloodline could be unstable, even harmful to its wielder. Perhaps, when he stole a new bloodline, his original one would quiet itself, needing time to suppress and control the new power. It was a logical theory, but he knew there might be others.
*****
Inside a black carriage drawn by a horse, Silvana and Liseria sat laughing quietly between themselves, while Kael sat in the corner with a slightly annoyed look on his face.
He wore a neatly tailored gray suit, a black tie, and a long black coat draped over his shoulders. Silvana had brought him this outfit from the White City. He had also bathed beforehand—for the first time in his life, his skin had felt water. The feeling was so soothing it seemed to melt the weight off his body. The scent of musk lingered from him, and his hair, once matted with dirt and dust, had turned a deep black—unnaturally black, like the ocean's deepest depths. His entire appearance had changed. His height was impressive too—not quite as tall as Silvana, but not far from it.
They stopped before a large building guarded by soldiers. Silvana showed them the Kaldras insignia, and they bowed respectfully, allowing her to enter. A staff member welcomed them and led them further inside.
Behind glass windows sat workers, each with a line of people waiting before them. The group headed toward a distant staircase and descended. At the bottom, they stepped through a door and into a smaller hall filled with guards and a massive glowing portal embedded in the wall. At its center were couches and seats for waiting passengers.
They sat down.
"Wait here. I'll go purchase our tickets," Silvana said as she walked away with the staff member.
Kael turned to Liseria. "What is this portal? And what is this place?"
Liseria smiled, radiant as always. She had grown more comfortable around him during these days.
"This is one of the transportation chambers. This particular hall is reserved for the Nine Great Houses and people of high status."
"But didn't you tell me trains or cars are how people travel between cities?"
"That's right. But this method is very expensive, so ordinary people can't use it. Even activating the portal requires a lot of resources. And there's also the matter of the ninety-nine steps…"
She suddenly froze. Her eyes locked onto something in the distance. Her body started to tremble as she lowered her gaze and clung tightly to Kael's coat. Surprised, Kael followed her gaze.
A young man in luxurious clothes adorned with strange jewelry was walking toward them, surrounded by guards. He was grinning smugly.
"Miss Liseria, what a pleasant surprise."
Her trembling worsened. Her words came out shaky.
"Hello… Lord Lothan."
When Lothan saw her clinging to Kael, his smile flickered with irritation, but he didn't drop it. Kael, however, placed his arm around her protectively and stared into Lothan's eyes with no expression.
Unable to hide his anger, Lothan asked, "Miss Liseria, who is this boy?"
Liseria stammered, clearly caught off guard. But before she could answer, Kael stood up and extended his hand. There was no smile on his face, just one thought: if Lothan shook it, he would break it.
"I'm Kael Kaldras."
Lothan looked at him with disgust and refused the handshake.
"Miss Liseria, is this how you greet your future fiancé? Do you think the Ksarim family is some kind of joke? You must understand how important this union is to House Kaldras."
Kael's eyes widened slightly, and a strange anger flared in his chest. He turned to look at Liseria, who was visibly shaken.
"But she never accepted the proposal," she said hesitantly.
Lothan smirked. "Do you really think House Kaldras can survive in this world without our support? Your mother will accept it, sooner or later. Believe me."
Before she could respond, Kael interrupted.
"Oh, so you're the one who proposed. I've heard a lot about you. What was it again? Coward, weakling, bastard, ugly, arrogant…"
His face remained calm, but a storm raged behind his red eyes.
"Do you know who you're talking to, child?"
Kael leaned in, a mocking grin forming.
"Actually, I heard one more description. Woman. I thought it was a joke at first… but now, it kind of fits. Hahaha."
The guards moved in, but Lothan stopped them with a raised hand.
"You've insulted House Ksarim. You'll meet your end, child. But I suppose someone like you only knows how to talk."
Kael's gaze turned ice cold. His crimson eyes glowed faintly. He leaned in and whispered,
"Trust me. I'll be the one to rip the blood from your eyes."
Lothan laughed, locking eyes with him.
"Then I'll see you in the Blood Season, child."
Kael didn't answer. His eyes remained cold and steady.
Lothan turned away. As he approached the glowing portal, he said to one of his guards, "Find everything you can about Kael Kaldras."
Just before entering, he looked back, tipped his hat with a smug smile, and vanished into the red light.
Liseria gripped Kael from behind.
"You shouldn't have done that… You've put yourself in danger. House Ksarim is powerful. Lothan reached the fourth stage just a few weeks ago."
'So that last pulse… it came from him,' Kael thought.
He sat down beside her. "Don't worry about me. But why didn't you defend yourself? You're a Kaldras too."
She lowered her head, still trembling.
"In truth… I don't have a bloodline."
Kael looked at her, stunned.
"But couldn't you have gotten one from a Gate?"
"We tried. But my body rejected it. It seems I can't accept one at all."
Kael began to understand. House Kaldras really was in decline—and their heir had no bloodline. He gently placed his hand over hers to comfort her.
"Don't worry. Bloodlines aren't everything. I'll always be here to protect you, haha."
She looked at him. "But Kael… you don't have a bloodline either."
His expression changed.
"Well, once I do… obviously."
She laughed, the fear vanishing from her face.
From a distance, Silvana had seen everything. She was furious at first—but when she saw Liseria laugh, she smiled and approached.
"It's time to go home."
They walked toward the glowing portal again. Once it lit fully, they stepped through. The red light engulfed them. Kael shut his eyes from the brightness. When he opened them again, they stood in a massive hall filled with ornate decorations—yet lifeless.
At the very top sat a grand throne.
And on it, a tall woman with golden hair and a stern face that resembled Liseria's. She wore a long red robe that revealed her arms and pale skin.
This was the head of House Kaldras. The strongest among them.
Selene Kaldras.