It was a cave. A dark one without any light in it. The structure was like an archbridge measuring nearly 33 feet tall. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like willow branches, as if they would dance with the darkness.

A gust of wind screamed in the darkness, and a storm of debris flew. A crimson doorway in the shape of a whirlpool tore through the air. Two silhouettes leapt out of the doorway and fell to the gravelly ground. A sliver of light shone on them, illuminating their silhouettes. One had twin swords on his back, a viper head medallion billowing on his chest. His eyes were silver, and they gleamed brightly, piercing the darkness like a wolf staring through the air.

The other was a pale, gaunt man with a backpack around his back. He was in a black robe with numerous pockets sewn on it. The air around him smelled like herbs.

"Blood magic portals are a lot more stable than the ones sorcerers use." Roy turned to the barber-surgeon, his eyes filled with praise. "Felt no vertigo or nausea at all. Why don't we forge a partnership? You open up portals for the brotherhood, and we'll pay you every time we use your services. Rare herbs or blood of rare monsters, you name the price."

The offer tempted Regis for a moment, but he shook his head. "I can do this once in a while, but I'll have to decline a long-term partnership." He praised, "Your courage is admirable. You’re coming to the abode with me alone and disturbing the Unseen Elder's slumber. Do you not fear death at all?"

"If the god of vampires wishes to kill me, does it make any difference whether it's one witcher or ten?" Roy kicked a piece of bone away and turned a corner.

"The only difference is you'll die with your companions."

"And the answer is no."

Regis almost choked, and he was amused, his trepidation soothed a little. This was his first time seeing the Elder in fifty years. Every time he requested an audience, it was with great fear. The suppression coming from their bloodline crushed his resistance, and he was nothing more than dirt.

"To be honest, it would be a waste if a witcher like you dies." Regis leapt down the 17-foot slope. The cave was already leaning downward.

"What kind of witcher?"

"Those who treat non-humans the same way they treat humans. I noticed that when I first saw you. You knew what we were, but you had no fear, discrimination, or loathing. On the other hand, your companion, the one with greenish-gray eyes, held hatred for us."

"Because you followed the rules." Roy paused. He confidently said, "Non-humans who have principles are better than chaotic humans who kill their own kind."

"I couldn't agree more." Regis picked up his pace and walked with Roy, his eyes twinkling. The higher vampire took a deep breath and came to a difficult decision. "I don't think you should die just like this. We are not at the Elder's abode just yet. It's not too late to turn back."

Regis put his hands behind his back. He looked at the composed witcher. Hesitantly, he said, "You can leave this continent and take a ship to Ofir to hide from danger. Ofir's land is not suited for higher vampires to live in. The Elder's forces cannot touch you there."

Roy looked at Regis in surprise. He didn't think the higher vampire would go this far for him. "If I leave, how will you answer to the Elder? By taking Gaetan here?"

"Gaetan is already part of the tribe. The Elder will not cull him that easily. He might take Gaetan to Tesham Mutna and lock him up for decades." Regis shrugged. "But you will die if you meet him. The Elder does not show mercy to other species."

"Thank you, Regis. You're a good person. Let's stay in touch after this. I'd like to introduce some people to you. Decent people." Roy put an arm around Regis' shoulder. The higher vampire tensed up and grinned awkwardly. He was not used to this kind of close contact, but Roy didn't care.

"I came all the way here anyway, so I'm not going to run. Just tell me what I should look out for after I go into his abode. I heard the Elder has a short temper, and I don't want to make him angry." If he gets mad, I'll have to turn into the Most High to fight it, but that'll only make us enemies. It won't do well for my plan.

"He's so sensitive, it's some kind of sickness. He's temperamental, and for the last 2000 years, he has adopted an imperious way of communicating. When you stand before him, you cannot show any aggression or hostility, nor can you be arrogant." Regis' voice was shivering. He was trying his best to hold his fear down. "You must be humble and honest. Respect him like you would a god. Once I open his abode and we enter his domain, I suggest you remain perfectly quiet. Do not say a word or make any movement. Stay far away from your sword and decoction. I will tell the Elder that you are here to apologize."

"Do I need to grovel, then?" Roy had a weird grin on his face, and he pretended to kneel.

"If that's how you express respect, then of course," Regis said earnestly, meeting Roy's eyes.

"Not even the God of Omen could make me kneel." Roy shook his head. He said, "Since I'm dead anyway, why don't I go all in? What should I do if I want to strike a deal with him?"

Regis looked at Roy, shocked, but he didn't pry. "You killed Gruffyd of the Elder's tribe. You are a criminal in his eyes. It is up to the Elder to let you go after he listens to me. Or he might kill you right away." Regis went over a puddle and picked one passage out of many to go in. "But if you present it with a sacrifice and gain his favor, you might get the chance to talk to him. However, you must choose your words wisely. If you incur his wrath, he will tear your head off, drink your blood, and rip your body to shreds."

"What kind of sacrifice?" Roy ignored the warning. He looked at the walls around them. To be exact, they were man-made marble doors covered in ancient engravings portraying sacrificial rituals. Poorly-drawn humans were holding up sacrificial items covered in banana leaves, praying to a man who was like a shadow.

"Ancient coins. They're hidden around the outer caves, but if you want to collect them, you'll have to get rid of some unruly critters."

***

A silver light flashed in the air. A crossbow bolt pierced the dark cave, hurtling toward the ceiling. A cloud of blood burst between the stalactite, and something gigantic fell with a sickening thud, its bones broken. The creature had a humanoid shape, but it had claws as tough as metal knives, and its maw had incisors. Its legs were turned back, just like a werewolf's, and it had taut muscles. This creature was a killing machine, but brains, blood, and bones were spilling out of the center of its head.

The dying creature glared venomously at the silhouettes in the darkness. The silhouette disappeared, and a silver crescent moon sliced through the dark. The creature was cut, its head flying into the air. Blood spurted from its neck, and its body fell back.

'Fleder killed. EXP +200. Level 15 Witcher (2300/18500).'

Roy flicked the blood off his weapon. He lamented this battle. Years ago, in the sewers of Vizima, he had to risk his life to kill a fleder, but now he could take one out easily. Once the monster was dead, Roy, out of habit, cut the corpse open like a master butcher. He skinned the fleder, taking its eyes, lungs, claws, and all useful parts of it.

Regis watched on in horror as Roy tucked the remains of the fleder into his inventory space. "Roy, you guys did that to Gruffyd's body too?" Regis was the color of paper, and he did not look happy at all.

"Higher vampires make for valuable components. Can't waste them." Roy gave Regis a knowing look. Regis felt himself shudder. "But don't worry. I do not attack my friends, so you're safe." Roy crouched and rummaged through the pile of bones. It didn't take him long until he found a rough shell the size of a fingernail. A small half-portrait of a pale, gaunt man was etched on it. "Where did these coins come from?" Roy asked.

"When our species descended upon this land, humanity was still a backward community. Primitive. Some of them witnessed the Elder's strength during his hunt. In awe of his power, they started spreading the Elder's stories and treated him like he was a god. They engraved his portrait on their currency and even erected this abode for him, giving him livestock and humans as sacrifice from time to time," Regis explained patiently.

"The Elder loathes being disturbed for no reason, but he enjoyed the respect and sacrifices the humans gave him. Ever since then, he reined his tribe's members in and made it a law that his tribe's members should not massacre humans. Alas, hundreds of years later, despite not being hunted by higher vampires, that tribe of humanity died. Natural disasters. Ever since then, the Elder's name was no longer spread throughout human communities. Every time he slumbers, it will at least be ten years before he wakes."

Regis paused for a moment. "You giving him the coin will remind him of this happy past. If he's pleased, he'll let you talk."

Roy nodded. Curiously, he asked, "Doesn't the Elder need to eat or drink? How does he slumber for a decade?"

"Do not try to limit the Elder's powers. He is strong beyond imagination. The Elder absorbs the elemental particles from the air around him all the time. Chaos energy, so to speak. It's a lot better than regular food. Still, every time he wakes, the Elder asks his men to bring him a mountain of game to relish the taste of blood and reminisce about his younger days. The corpses, drained of their blood, become fertile grounds for nekkers and lower vampires to breed in."

"I see. All the older guys across all species love to reminisce about their past," Roy said, his eyes twinkling. I bet he loves to reminisce about his old home. "Let's find some more coins and please the Elder."

***

***