The Sharpest Blade (My Vampire System Fan-Fic)

Stepping into an empty hallway, Sil raised his communicator and tapping the screen a few times, activated a secure line. The signal crackled for a moment before a familiar voice answered. 

"Sil?" Sam's voice was a mix of curiosity and concern. "It's been a while. I take it this isn't a social call." 

"it has indeed and unfortunately no, it's not. I'm afraid there is no time for small talk," Sil said, his voice edged with urgency. "I need your help. Two of my brothers were just taken. Vorden and Raten." 

Sil could hear Sam's sharp inhale. They had been friends once, a very long time ago. Vorden in Sil's body had met Sam through Quinn during the military academy's Interbase competition event. Both were there supporting different schools. They had however gotten on very well and formed a loose friendship, mainly facilitated by Quinn. Then Sil had been part of the cursed faction, under the command of Sam. They had many interactions with one another. However it had been quite a long time.

Sam felt a slight pang at the time he had allowed to pass without contacting any of his old friends. How many were even alive? He forced his mind back to the present. "Taken? By who?" he asked with confusion.

Sil hesitated for a fraction of a second. "We have reason to believe it was one or more Celestials." 

A heavy pause. Then, "...You want me to contact Bliss." Sil nodded firmly with his face stoic and expressionless.

Sam couldn't see it, but heard it in his tone. Sil spoke somberly "She is the only one I know of that may be able to get us answers."

Sams fingers held his face rubbing his fingers across either side of his chin while he contemplated. "She still has access to the celestial realm, that is true," Sam confirmed. "If anyone can find out what happened, it's her. However, I'm afraid that isn't possible... at least not now." 

Sam's expression darkened. He leaned back, exhaling sharply. "Bliss would normally be my go-to for anything Celestial-related, but she's missing. Vanished. I don't know where or why." 

Sil's eyes narrowed. That was unexpected. Bliss disappearing at a time like this? Suspicious, but he filed it away for later. Right now, he needed actionable information. "Then who else?" 

Sam rubbed his temples. "I have someone else in the celestial realm who owes me a favor... I might be able to pull some strings."

Sil nodded, even though Sam couldn't see it. "I don't have to tell you to move fast." 

With that, the call disconnected. Sil felt slightly more at ease. That is, he felt not at all at ease, but at least now they were trying to do something. They had goals and a prospect. He tried to relax a little.

***

When Sil returned, the others had barely made it back with mass quantities of supplies, tension still thick in the air. 

Jade and Cassidy both looked up at him, eyes burning with questions. 

"I have somebody looking into it," Sil said. 

Cassidy's brows furrowed. "And that's it? Now what? We just hurry up and wait?" 

"For now, yes." Sil's tone was firm but not unkind. "This involves the celestial realm. Time moves differently there. We won't have to wait long." 

Jade exhaled shakily, still struggling to process what they were up against. "I don't know anything about Celestials," she admitted, frustration laced in her voice. "How do we even fight something like that? We are just.... humans? What chance do we have against gods? Litteral gods?" 

Sil met her gaze, and for the first time since the abduction, his expression softened. "YOU don't fight Celestials, Jade. Neither do I... not anymore." He looked pained as he said this. He let the words settle before adding, "So... We're just going to have to outthink them." 

Jade swallowed hard, nodding. 

Shiro cleared his throat, pushing forward. "Then while we wait, we prepare." 

Sil nodded. "I'll ready a ship. Something long-range, interstellar. Big enough for us to live comfortably. I do not know how long it will take us to get there." 

Shiro checked his wrist again. "I'll need to copy some abilities too. If we're facing Celestials, I need every advantage I can get." 

Sil glanced at Jade and Cassidy. "You two double check that we have enough supplies. I do not know how long it will be before we are able to resupply." He hesitated, then added, "I won't be able to just go hunt like I did before, not unless we find some lower tier beasts. Unfortunately many of the habitable planets beyond human control don't necessarily adhere to the same power standards that we are accustomed to here." 

Jade squared her shoulders like she was about to salute, then nodded.

Cassidy took a steadying breath and nodded Too. 

As they turned to double check what they had gathered and then off to acquire more just for good measure Sil looked over to Shiro. A heavy silence settled between them. 

The mission had already begun. And failure wasn't an option. 

It wasn't too long before Sam had contacted Sil through his communicator. Just long enough for the group to get everything loaded up on the craft. Jade and Cassie were making sure everything was put in its proper place, stocked full, and organized. They were checking life support systems and the homeostasis systems like the O² & CO² exchanges, synthetic precipitous recycling machinery, and temperature control, verifying the amount of power needed and converting those levels into beast crystal energy amounts etc.

Meanwhile in the command center Sil and Shiro were checking weapons systems, cloaking units, interstellar positioning charts, shield power, and engine cores. They needed to be ready for anything. A high pitch chirp cut through the air and the hairs on the back of their necks stood on end. Shiro glanced at Sil as he checked his communicator.

[New Message]

[FROM: SAM]

[Sil, I think I found what you need.]

Sil stood in the dimly lit command deck of the Blade ship, arms folded, his expression tight with frustration. He nodded to Shiro who tapped away at a control panel. The hum of the ship's systems barely registered in his ears. Jade, and Cassidy who had completed their tasks had just entered the room. Noticing the quiet atmosphere they took a seat by Shiro nearby, each tense in their own way. Every passing moment without a lead on Vorden and Raten grated against them. 

With a slow breath, Sil reached out and activated the ship's communicator. It took only a moment for the connection to establish—Sam's face flickered onto the screen, the familiar sharp-eyed strategist looking more fatigued than usual. 

"Sil," Sam said, his brows immediately knitting together. "I was expecting your call, but I wasn't expecting to see you... I mean, YOU. He looked somberly at his old friend." 

"I know, I look like him." Sil nodded with deep recognition. He was very aware how much he resembled his father Hilston.

Sam shook off his nostalgia and got straight to the point. "I am not sure if you recall anything about the Mermerial race, or their deity, Yongbu. Well, since you and Quinn saved their entire race I am sure you do. I was in a unique position to ask their high council for a favor, though I may have had to invoke your name. I didn't think you would mind though given the circumstances. I reached out the second I got off our call, and they got back to me a few minutes ago."

Sam leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "The celestial who took them? His name wasn't widely known, but Yongbu did a bit of snooping around the earth section of the Celestial space, I told him to be discreet, but I can't confirm that he went unnoticed. So be cautious. He was able to locate some individuals talking in hushed tones about some apparently juicy gossip. There was some excitement about events that took place not long ago, a newly reincarnated celestial abducted a godslayer of dangerous renown. He had faced complications but was successful in the end according to the gossip. He was able to confirm his whereabouts. I'm sending you the coordinates now." 

A console beside Sil blinked to life, and the ship's navigation systems registered the incoming data. He glanced at Jade, who was already keying in the route. 

Cassidy, arms crossed, tapped a finger against her bicep. "This celestial… what is known about him?" 

Sam was slightly startled at the voice of the unknown woman that he hadn't noticed before. He hesitated for a moment as he inspected her face, then with a nod from Sil he said "Not much, and that's what bothers me. He's not one of the major players we're familiar with, but he acted with enough confidence to target the Blade complex and abduct two people in broad daylight. He is said to be a rather young celestial too. At least this incarnation of him is new, having only very recently gained the ability to access the celestial space. Either he was given orders, or he has his own ambitious agenda." 

Sil nodded once. "We'll find out soon enough." 

"Be careful, Sil," Sam warned. "Not many people are aware of your..." His voice lowered slightly and he cleared his throat. "Well, your condition. Mundus may have made a deal with Quinn to spare your life before, but not everybody was made aware of that as it was a private and somewhat secretive deal, made between Quinn and the ancient ones. You do not have many friends among the Celestials, in fact id wager that many would seek revenge on you for the Celestials that you hunted down before. They may try to come for you if caught too far from our solar system." 

Sil gave a small smirk, but there was no humor in it. "Let them try." 

The screen went dark as the call ended. A heavy silence filled the cabin for a moment before Shiro let out a slow breath. 

"Well," he said, forcing a small smile. "Guess we better go get our idiots back." 

Sil turned, heading for the ship's controls. "Strap in. We're leaving now."