Nightmare System

Numerous people were running around the place, everyone seemed to be on high alert. A phone then started ringing in the middle of a large hall decorated with columns on both sides, it looked similar to a throne room. The phone rang alone for a while, until a familiar face went to pick it up.

"This is Jack. I am busy, Annette, deal with your own shit!"

The pure, rich voice from the other end spoke gently, she wasn't angered. This was how Jack talked: "Our king is back. King Hell will be there to see Devlin in half a day. Make the necessary preparations."

The phone clicked and the phone ended. Jack Moonyell, a knight operating under one of the most murderous kings in the history of both worlds they know of, was coming at such an inappropriate timing. The prince, the brother of their king, Devlin, was abducted!

"So it's true..." Jack lamented his luck. He was so happy before, but he was praying he still had enough time until he saw Hell.

Jack did not have to imagine the punishment he would go through. Hell would definitely kill him if he learned of this. He started hyperventilating due to stress for the first time in his life as he yelled out his orders.

"Find him! Find the prince! Do whatever you have to do!"

Jack couldn't believe how off the timing was, he had diligently kept the prince safe for the last five years. He sat on the throne and contemplated the happenings earlier that day. Devlin was safe and sound at the Council Meeting just this morning…

…

Two men were arguing in a limousine as people outside stopped to gaze at them in admiration or took photos. The limo carried a specific insignia on both sides, a sword with certain hieroglyphs engraved on it thrust into a shield.

"Why should we have to go to this meeting? Devlin, we don't have to play by their rules. We'll just get Miur back and-" Jack was then interrupted by Devlin, who spoke resolutely but also with an innate kindness which always decorated his voice.

"We are helping create a safe society together with multiple factions. None of us is strong enough to keep the people safe by ourselves." Devlin took a long breath and added: "Miur was too volatile. He is kept under check at a holding facility. This is the price he paid for his crimes."

Devlin was now more confident than his youth. He had turned a group of murderous monsters into warriors of justice protecting the people. Miur, however, ignored Devlin's wishes and it was a year ago when he went on a murder spree in the headquarters of the second-largest faction in the city; The Blessed.

Devlin used the name the trio comprised of Jack, Miur and Annette identified themselves with: Knights. He called their faction "Knightdom" and steered them towards doing good. Although they weren't huge fans of the idea, they didn't reject their prince as they bided their time until their king returned.

It was a well-spread rumour in Knightdom and throughout Kuport that "hell would arrive one day". Obviously, only a few people were aware that "hell" referred to a specific person.

The Blessed, although being the second-largest faction in Kuport, every single of their members were exceedingly religious. They were just a fanatical church when the demonic plagues hit and other monsters popped up around the world. They had become a reliable force against hostile entities.

Jack despised The Blessed, he was already annoyed that he had to go to a meeting with them. Jack reminisced about his king. Although the time they spent together was short, he was already enthralled with his boundless rage and murderous rampages.

"We have arrived," the driver said as the limousine stopped. Jack was the first to leave the limousine. His white, piercing eyes was a favourite amongst the fangirls. Even though Devlin was the leader, Jack's lonesome and wild aura had attracted a lot of attention.

No one could guess it was a battlefield outside the city. Life continued as it always had here, almost. People were happy as they could be, they continued working, studying and continuing their hobbies when they could.

"Come on, we wouldn't want to be late," Devlin said as he got out of the car and led the way. Jack nodded and followed him, ignoring the cries of his fangirls at the gate.

Kuport Municipality was a very large building for what it is, and it had turned into the main building for the Anti-Monster Department after the plague spread throughout the world and monsters of unknown origin entered this world.

The building was made of marble and was quite sturdy. The duo passed the columns on both sides and arrived at the door, where they were met by someone they were both familiar with: Tanner.

Tanner was the right-hand of the Minister of Defence and generally presided these meetings. When there was an issue between the factions, he was also the one to step forward to mediate between the two.

"Devlin, Jack, welcome!" Tanner said with a smile. "The Blessed arrived earlier than expected, so we have been waiting for you."

Without wasting any more time, they arrived at a meeting room with certain figures from their rival faction inside. The Blessed had sent two from their side, as well.

One was a male in his forties sitting on the chair at the head of the table. His silk-like brown hair fell down to his waist and he wore a golden cross on his neck, one he would c.a.r.e.s.s every few seconds. He was called Raul, the leader of The Blessed.

The other emissary from the Blessed was a female in her twenties. She had shorter hair compared to her superior, ironically enough, and it was as red as blood. She was a silent character who mostly preferred taking action instead of talking. She also had many admirers amongst the populace. Her name was Alia, the cold beauty.

Tanner invited Jack and Devlin to take a seat, as well, and stepped forward to start the meeting.

"I believe we will have a wonderful meeting here with everyone behaving themselves. So, shall we start?"

"Let's get this over with," Jack mused with a disrespectful tone, looking straight into Raul's eyes.

"Foul demon," Raul muttered with rage bubbling inside him. "The fact that we are letting you live is something you should be grateful for."

Just as Tanner was about to step in, disappointed, someone else spoke up.

"We are here for a peaceful meeting, Raul. Jack won't taunt you any longer, either." Devlin's tone was able to ease even Raul's nerves for a moment, but it wasn't so easy.

"Your organisation killed someone from inside our borders," Raul accused Devlin. "You are all murderers."

Jack was visibly annoyed, but stayed quiet. Devlin's face was saddened as he replied: "We only turn the willing and the feeble. We do it to save lives. Unfortunately, the process isn't always successful."

"You turned a human into a disgusting monster."

"Right," Tanner said. "The Blessed accuses Knightdom of unlawfully kidnapping a citizen from their area of operations, turning him into a ghoul and then killing him. The Blessed demands turning people into vampires is banned."

"Raul, you understand that our vampires are the first line of defence against outside influence," Devlin spoke calmly, enunciating each word clearly. "Even though you have been bolstering your ranks for the last few years, you need our soldiers fighting on the front lines."

Devlin then stood up and started walking around the room as he added, before Raul could answer: "Is it not true Jack here, and Miur, currently held prisoner by the Department expended great efforts to protect this city in the invasion three years ago and saved millions of lives?"

"We have acknowledged that act by allowing your pets to exist," Raul seethed. "Monsters should live with other monsters outside the walls, not inside the city."

"It seems Miur really hurt your pride, didn't he?" Jack sniggered. "Tanner, this bastard calls us here once every few months to attack us in any way he can. If there's nothing else, we will take our leave."

"There is one other thing," Tanner admitted. "We have all heard about a specific rumour allegedly originating from Knightdom." Tanner inhaled a large breath of air before speaking further: "It is said that hell will arrive one day. With the demonic plague wreaking havoc around the world, we don't dare take such words in stride."

Devlin was visibly agitated as he heard the words leave Tanner's mouth. Why would he bring that up, now? Jack was fully focused on Tanner as he also heard the words. The two, of course, knew what that meant. They were both hopeful it would become reality.

"Seers from The Blessed collapsed during a premonition yesterday. That's why this meeting was so urgently organised. They said that 'hell will arrive'. Devlin, we are not trying to point fingers here, but the last time they collapsed was right before we lost multiple cities to the invasion three years ago."

"Did they say when?!" Jack suddenly turned to Raul and asked. "When will Hell be coming? Do you have the time?"

Even Raul was taken aback at Jack's reaction. Before he could say anything more, Devlin shushed him and took the initiative to speak: "If there's hell coming, we should probably be ready. But it's just a rumour on our side, please don't think too hard about it."

"Liar!" Raul roared. "You obviously know a lot more than you are telling. You will tell us everything right now."

Devlin ignored Raul and turned to Tanner: "Tanner, we will investigate the origin of this rumour and inform you all as soon as possible, is that all right?"

"Are you sure there's nothing more to share right now?" Tanner asked with worry in his eyes.

"No."

"We will be waiting for your news, then," Tanner replied and nodded.

Jack's usual demeanour of "I-don't-care-about-anything" was currently nowhere to be seen. He left the room with a large grin, everyone inside the room must have noticed it very clearly.

"Do you think it's little him?" Devlin asked, he was also excited to be seeing his brother after so long.

He wanted his big bro to make him breakfast again, he wanted to watch some movies again with him. Even though some trusted subordinates of his brothers tried to tend to his all needs and kept him safe, the hole in his heart was not that could be filled. It was utterly devastating, losing one's big brother.

"Yes!" Jack yelled as Raul stormed past them soon after. "Probably," Jack added. "It's about damn time."

"I'll try to buy some stuff for when my brother returns, you should prepare, as well."

"Don't forget to take some bodyguards with you," Jack said as he happily made his way to the car.

…

Jack called the bodyguards who were supposed to always keep close to Devlin, even if he didn't want any bodyguards.

"Tell me how you lost him again," Jack ground his teeth.

Two men of large stature stood before him in fear. Even though Jack was barred from killing inside the city, the vampires of Knightdom knew how terrifying this vampire was. They didn't understand why Devlin was the leader, but no one dared raise a complaint, the punishment to do so was too severe.

"He was shopping for some food items and walking around the mall. He turned a corner and then he was gone. I swear, we were right behind him!"

Jack grew his claws and slowly punctured the man's c.h.e.s.t. The vampire did all he could not to scream or do anything to agitate the monster in front of themselves. As he started spewing blood out of his mouth, he turned to the other vampire.

"Any other details?"

The second man's blood was nigh-frozen as the fear of death caused him to truly remember every single detail when the prince got lost. "There was a brief flash of light! Then he got lost."

"And you didn't think to mention that? Fools."

Jack slowly pulled his claws out of the first man, the man collapsed right after, trying to breathe. With one quick motion, Jack rid most of the blood off his hands.

"A flash of light…" Jack muttered. "I had a feeling it was that bitch from the religious nutcase group."

"Gather all our forces!" Jack suddenly yelled. "We are going to war."

He had no time to waste. Not when his life was on the line.