37 Ascending the Throne
Things have been doing pretty well in the US. Slacovich and the others are expanding their influence in the underground society. Having hunters of different specialty and helping them train throughout their stay in the Sun University. Meanwhile in the UK where Harry and Sofie had stayed for 4 months already, they're still updated with the happenings regarding Slacovich and the others. Having known of them working on recruiting capable vampire hunters both Harry and Sofie are relieved to know that their still people who's willing to take the risk to protech the helpless.
Harry's been pretty busy salvaging the chemicals from the burn out laboratory of Volton Hellgazer. Some of the formulas are new to him and the others are useful to him on the maing of the antidote that will dispose off the serum in their bodies. All those months, Sofie's been hiding the truth from her family. Where she's been for a year of being far away from them, as the only daughter they can't afford to lose her. As the night falls, Sofie's been called out by her mother, the Queen. She hurried to her side and ask what is there for her to help. Being called so late at night, she's wondering what her mom wants to talk with her. As she steps closer to her mother's side, she can see the Queen looking at her in contentment. She's been naughty in the past but now that she'd return her relationship with her parents seems to blossom and they're very open to each other now. Hiding what she really turned out to be is making her heart ache.
"Mother, is there anything you want to talk about? Is it something of importance for you to call me out at night?" She puts a jacket on her mother's back.
"My dear, for the past years, I've been thinking about when you would be able to take over the title as Queen. In this modern day, all there's left for us is the title. The people's respect's just passed on by generation. Our existence as royal ends up to be just a figure they can talk about."
"What do you mean mother?"
"I guess it's the right time to pass the crown. You're my only daughter. I'll be more relieved knowing you're the one who's gonna take over my throne."
"Mother I'm honored but I don't think I'm worthy to be called Queen. I've caysed you troubles from the past, I faked my death and now-----"
"Hush sweetie, it's all in the past. I don't even mind what you did before. All that matters to me is that you're back safely."
"But mother there's one thing you need to know before you pass the throne to me."
"I'm willing to listen." As her mother looks at her in the eye, she then changes into hee vampire form. Her eyes turns red, her fangs shows up and her face changes a bit. The Queen takes a few step back as she see her daughter turn into a vampire. She lets out a sigh and steps closer towards her daughter gently caressing her cheek as she kissed her in the forehead.
"You're a vampire, I already knew it even before you came back. All your whereabouts these past year, I know all of them."
"You do? How come? That's why you never believed that I died."
"I'll tell you how, but first I want to take you to the most important place that only the Queen can access." Sofie and the Queen entered the hallway of the palace. At the side of the stairs there's a secret door that appears when the Queen twisted the antique vase.
"Where does this door lead us to?"
"You'll find out when we're there." Both of them entered the secret door and goes down the stairs. At the end of the stairs lies a long hallway with walls that have big frames of painted portraits. They're all looks like a knight. The crest in their armor is the symbol of the queen. At the end of the hallway is another door which they opened. They went inside a very wide room filled with armors and swords. There's also mini library with books that seems to be old.
"Mother, what's all this?"
"As the next Queen, you have access to this room anytime you like."
"I know that the Queen possesses some special authority, but I didn't know it's this."
"There's more to that. Now wear this ring. This ring is the symbol of your authority over them."
"Them? What them?" As Sofie's mother puts on the ring into her ring finger, the legendary black knights suddenly filled the room. They're all bowing down to her as a respect and acceptance as their new Queen.
"They are the legendr Black Knights. They've served past generation Queens. Only the Queen can summon and order them. You need them if you want to put a stop on your enemy's evil doing."
"Mother, this is too much."
"It's not, you'll be able to make use of them in doing goodness. Even though your a vampire now, still you have the heart of a human. Your willingness to risk your life in order to deliver safety for everyone, that's what a Queen should possess."
"Mother, if you really believe in me. Then the best gift I can give you is the safett of the people around us." The two hugs each other and after a whiker they left the room and heads back to their respective rooms to rest. Sofie stares at the rings in happiness. Now, she can help Slacovich in the matter of training the vampire hunters.
In the morning, everyone's very busy for the coronation of Sofie as the new Queen. As the crowning ceremony progresses, a few of Volton's men are present hiding themselves in the crowd. Having Volton's blood in them, they prefectly blend in. The crowning ceremony went by peacefully, Sofie already spotted them just ignoring them till they do something unwanted. After the special event, she called Slacovich to inform them about the success of the ceremony. As the new Queen, she won't be able to go back soon in the company.
"Congratulations on being the Queen." Slacovich greeted her the moment she calls.
"Thanks a lot. Seems like I'm gonna stay here for a little longer. Having this responsibility, I can't just disappear again."
"I understand, you should focus in there for now. By the way, any news on Volton's men?"
"I spotted three of his men during the coronation. But it seems they're just reporting things. They're not acting hostile."
"Just be careful, we don't really know how Volton's mind really works. Whatever plan his thinking, we should always be alert."
"I'll be on guard and also watch over Harry. He's been going back and forth from the burned laboratory salvaging useful chemicals."
"I see. You should be resting now, I bet the coronation exhausted you."
"Yeah, a bit. Tomorrow I need to go hunting. It's already been 4 months since the last time I drank blood."
"You should be careful on your way."
"I will don't worry. Bye." As Sofie hangs up she heard a footsteps not far away be from her mother's room. She sneaks out of her bedroom and stealthily watches three unknown figures whispering to each other. The scents seems familiar. "Volton's men fron the coronation." After confirming she showed up in front of them in her vampire form.
"Look who's here guys. The new Queen. Should we bow down?" They all chuckled in unison.
"The three of you stinks a lot, finding out your location is a piece of cake. The palace smells of blooming flowers that the breeze carries not some stinking dead rats lingering in my territory."
"You!" The three of them attacked her at the same time. Before they can even get a step closer to her, the legendary black knight's general steps in and draws his sword striking them all in one quick draw.
"Ho ho, seems like I don't need to fight. Now, tell me why did Volton send you here?" She moves forward stepping on the neck of one of Volton's men choking him up.
"N--not g-gonna t-tell y---ou anything!"
The black knight general stabs the other two in the heart. His sword made of pure silver enchanted with the flame that burns anyone it made contact with except for the holder. The two turns burns to death and dried up into ashes. The remaining one turns into a vampire and shrug her off to the ground. Desperately runs for his life but the black knight general already block his way out. Sealing every possible exits he could find and aims his sword right at the enemy's heart.
"Again, let me ask you one last time. Why did Volton send you here?"
"Master Volton won't even spare me. I'd rather die now than to go back as a failure."
"Something seems odd." She observes the enemy and to her surprise she's now facing a different enemy. He's blood smells like Volton's.
"Heh, shocked? Maybe you already figured it out. We're no longer the ones you call a failure. And Master Volton have an army of the likes of you. Obeying his every command. Equally capable in both strength and agility."
"No gotta be kidding me? You and the rest of your gang aren't comparable to me and to my family. We're far superior than your all mighty master."
"Prove it! You're no a match to us."
"Since you want me to prove it. Then I'll accommodate you to a full course of despair. Your presence here will help us to victory. As a sign if my gratitude, I'll let you live to see Volton's defeat." Her eyes glared at him like she's devouring his very existence. Just a glare yet he felt chills all over his spine that makes him want to scream in fear.
Upon knowing the new army Volton has in custody, she informs Slacovich and the others about it. Sofie takes Harry with her where she confined the captured vampire guarded by the legendary black knights. Seeing them makes Harry at ease and intimidated at the same time. Facing new sets of enemies would mean bloodier fights. The Vampire Hunters Society should be prepared to what's coming. Their current position is very edgy and fragile. They can't fight back just yet. They need to train them all mentally and physically. But how can they enhance their hunters fighting skills?