The Pack Reunites

Chapter 6

Maius 31st, 2081.

Following the completion of their mastery over the winds, the young imperials and I decided to stay till the end of spring before starting our long flight to Blight Valley. They spent the majority of that time playing with Coroado Maximo and Paulo who just like Infante Sancho and Principe Pedro promised to visit upon their return to the imperial city.

"We'll see each other again soon," Coroado Maximo said reassuringly. "And then it'll be your turns to show us around." The next three seasons passed by rather quickly, and the time had come for the three of us to depart for Blight Valley.

When it came time for us to leave, I grew increasingly nervous and emotional at the thought of seeing I Miei Genitori Surrogatio once more especially since Fratres Meus Biologicum and I hadn't done so for twenty-one years.

Sure, Il Mio Padre was no longer a heartless but due to fact that the heart he possessed was not his own, he wasn't completely alive either. In fact, according to my godmother, Matertera Vesta herself, Padre was part witch, part werewolf, and part vampire.

What are vampires? Vampires are witches whose hearts if they even had one, and bodies work differently compared to werewolves and witches whose bodies function quite similarly. The three most common ones in the Hyperion Empire are sanguine vampires, and semi sanguine vampires, and non-sanguine vampires

Sanguineous vampires are those who have no heart whatsoever and possess the traits associated with these creatures i.e., turning into bats, and sleeping in coffins, being allergic to garlic, and having to drink blood just to survive, etc.

Non – sanguineous vampires actually have hearts but lack a pulse and are thus the exact opposite of sanguineous vampires, as a result they have all the powers of a vampire but none of the drawbacks giving them the ability to eat regular food sleep in beds, and not feel blood thirsty while still having vampire powers.

However, it's the third and final classification semi – sanguineous vampires is the type that Il Mio Padre Once normal witches, was. these types of vampires were resurrected through a process known as heart splitting, as such they are only half sanguineous, requiring some amount of blood in their diet along with regular food.

These halfhearted creatures are in many ways similar to dhampirs, possessing some vampiric traits such as levitation, telepathy, invisibility, but lacking other traits such as sunlight sensitivity, and the ability to eat food.

The main difference between these four creatures is how they're created. Non – sanguineous vampires and dhampirs are simply born as such, one being a purebred and the other a half blood. Semi sanguineans and sanguineans meanwhile are resurrected, those who were once normal witches brought back to life by either heart splitting, or necromancy.

I wonder how they're both doing I thought as I explained to Princeps Gromeo and Princepess Azura about what to expect when we arrived. The journey to Blight Valley lasted over two days, and by the time we landed outside the capital, one would think I'd be happy to be home, but I was still fearful of what was awaiting us once we reached the castle.

Had I visited more often and spent more time with I Miei Genitori, the changes made to the Regnum wouldn't have been that shocking but having only seen them for the first time in two decades, they could not have been more so.

As the castle guards escorted us through the Regnum and towards the castle, I made sure to reunite with some old friends and introduced them to the young imperials. Despite most upper-class witches in the Hyperion Empire being narcissistic and power-hungry, the Regnum of Blight Valley was different.

Being the Regnnum with the most powerful and righteous Basileus, the laws were very strict regarding those who'd break them. Thus, most upper crust witches in Blight Valley at the very least don't publicly commit any crimes lest they face Il Mio Padre's wrath.

However, by the time we entered the throne room of the castle my nerves once again began to resurface for I still had no clue as to how Il Mio Padre would greet me. The three of us were ushered in by the guards and at the sight of the throne I fell to my knees. Re Vittorio of Blight Valley sat beside his Regina, Emira, he sat straight with his undead eyes directed straight at me as I knelt before him.

As I slowly lifted my head, my eyes met Il Mio Padres and I quickly turned my gaze back to the carpet below me. I caught a good enough glimpse to see ten boys who I assumed were Il Mio Fratello Surrogato standing in what I assumed was their typical formation. From oldest to youngest, left to right, four on the Re's side and six on the Regina's.

"Speak!" Il Mio Padre commanded, his voice cutting through the air like volcanoes cut through the earth. I hesitated for a moment trying to choose my words carefully. The Re leaned forward in his throne "Why have you come here sir." "Padre," I stopped myself to look up at the Re whose eyes had softened at the title.

"Il Mio Re, I've come to ask you for your assistance. I apologize for trespassing on~" He lifted his paw which caused me to pause. "It's been a long time Mio Figlio, I was worried you and Tuo Fratello had forgotten about us." Il Mio Padre said, his voice quickly softening. "And I see you've matured a great deal since our last meeting." I raised my head slightly to meet Il Mio Padre's gaze. "Si Padre, I've learned so many new things and I have recently acquired."

"Tuo Fratello made you imperial paw, yes I've heard." Il Mio Padre looked to his Figlios standing to his right and left before turning back to me. "We can discuss your accomplishments later but, in the meantime, I think it's time we get straight to business." "Business? What do you mean business?" I questioned. All of I Miei Fratelli Surrogati began to tilt their heads in confusion.

"Have you forgotten? Your Fratello sent me a message regarding his pups newly found elemental powers, and that he was sending them to each of the four Regnums to train." I thanked him for the reminder, before introducing Princepess Azura and Princeps Gromeo Junior. Once the introductions were complete, he turned to the young imperials.

"I recently had my staff clean your Pater and Avunculus Kurin's old bedroom," he said warmly. "The three of you may sleep there until you've completed your training." The two of them said thank you and good evening, and we left to get some sleep. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I entered my former bed chambers. It was almost exactly how I left it except for the tapestries.

Princeps Gromeo and Princepess Azura's training began after the summer sun celebration, during which I'd developed a deep bond with I Mei Fratelli Surrogati due to our similar upbringings. Fire was a bit of a more challenging element for the young imperials to control but I was confident they'd learn over time.