Chapter 99 – Blood for the Light
The night sky hadn’t changed since the tragedy dark, silent, and heavy, as if it too grieved for those who continued to fight in a world plunged into chaos. Beneath the shadows of that still night, two figures raced forward with a speed no ordinary human could match. One wore a neatly tailored black suit, hair slicked back with precision. The other flowed gracefully in a long white gown, her presence ethereal. Their eyes glimmered faintly in the dark their bodies had long since shed human limitations.
They were Hunter and Witch, two of Sylvia’s elite zombies, now carrying out a direct order from Tyrant.
Their destination was clear: the headquarters of Celestine Virellia a powerful and influential Awakened of the Space element, and a trusted friend of their Queen. Tyrant had ordered them to secure blood of a very specific type, the only match that could save Sofia’s life. Celes’ bases was their best and perhaps only hope.
What should have taken hours took less than one.
When they arrived at the main gates of Celestine’s compound, the guards did not raise their weapons. There was no resistance. Instead, there was... curiosity.
Hunter and Witch were unlike any other undead.
They were clean. Impossibly refined. Rumors had spread ever since their appearance at the multi-faction summit of a zombie in a black suit like a royal butler, and a woman in a flowing white gown who moved like a ghost from an old fairytale. Their presence stirred both awe and unease wherever they went.
Without a word, they passed through the gates under the wary gaze of the guards. Some civilians whispered among themselves, voicing the same name over and over "Queen of the Zombies."
Soon, they reached the door of Celestine’s residence.
A personal maid opened the door, startled at first, but recognition quickly settled on her face. She stepped aside politely.
"Lady Celes is in the parlor," she said shortly. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Hunter and Witch stepped inside without a sound, their movements precise, their presence restrained. The parlor was spacious, yet unassuming.
Moments later, Celestine entered through a side door, wearing a modest robe. Her silver hair fell freely, and her emerald eyes immediately locked onto the two figures in her home.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice soft but unmistakably authoritative.
Hunter silently handed her a folded letter from his inner coat pocket.
She unfolded it, eyes scanning the message slowly.
The words were from Tyrant a direct plea for help. The letter was brief and urgent: they needed AB-negative blood for an emergency transfusion. Sofia, leader of the New Dawn and more importantly, Sylvia’s beloved was dying from a stab wound and severe blood loss.
Celestine’s expression softened. A long breath escaped her lips.
"I see... so that’s why you came here."
She folded the letter neatly and walked toward a door off to the side.
"Wait here. I’ll prepare a blood pack. As it happens... I have AB-negative blood myself."
The two zombies didn’t react outwardly. They merely nodded respectfully and took a seat on the sofa. They remained perfectly still, their auras subdued to avoid alarming anyone.
Minutes passed.
Celestine returned carrying a small sealed case, within it a single pack of fresh blood.
"Apologies, I could only prepare one unit for now. If it’s not enough, you’ll have to return in a few days. I’ll get more ready."
Witch stood and gave a graceful bow of gratitude. Hunter followed suit. They accepted the case with reverent care and left as silently as they had come, sprinting back toward Sofia’s temporary shelter without a single word.
Celestine watched them disappear through the window, then let out a faint smile. "Sylvia... you really do attract the strangest people."
She walked slowly to her bedroom and collapsed into her soft bed. Exhaustion finally overtook her, and she closed her eyes with a long exhale.
Emergency Shelter – Sofia’s Territory
Rina remained by Sofia’s side, carefully monitoring her condition. Around her stood Yuna, Vivi, Yuki, and Altair, all on guard. Although healing magic had closed the wound, without the proper blood transfusion, Sofia’s life still hung by a thread.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
Seconds later, two familiar figures entered calmly Hunter and Witch.
The room tensed instantly.
Vivi readied her weapon, Yuna stepped back, and Altair positioned herself defensively in front of Sofia, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
But before a single strike could be made, the Shadows guarding the shelter intervened. They raised their hands, signaling their allies to hold.
Witch stepped forward and opened the small case she carried. Wordlessly, she handed it to Rina.
Rina blinked, confused. "What is this...?"
She opened the case and her eyes widened.
Inside was a single, pristine blood pack properly stored, temperature-stable, and unmistakably fresh.
Without delay, Rina activated the emergency blood analyzer they kept on hand. The seconds crawled by like hours until finally, the result flashed on screen.
"AB negative... and clean," Rina whispered in disbelief.
She moved at once, preparing the transfusion equipment. Altair gently adjusted Sofia’s posture, while Yuki set up a body warmer to stabilize her temperature during the procedure.
A needle was inserted into a vein on Sofia’s arm.
Dark red blood began to flow into her pale body.
"Sofia... hold on," Rina murmured, eyes brimming with tears.
Hunter and Witch stood silently in the corner. They didn’t speak. They didn’t move. But somehow, their gaze carried something close to concern.
Vivi, who had initially been on edge, now looked at them differently. She leaned in toward Yuna and whispered:
"...They really did just come to help."
Yuna nodded slowly, and for the first time, the humans in that room no longer looked at the undead with fear or hatred.
That night, amid betrayal, bloodshed, and tension, one thing became clear:
The line between human and monster was beginning to blur...And perhaps, even in the hearts of the undead, compassion could bloom So long as there was still something... or someone... worth caring for.