Iris Eloclipse had never been so stressed in her life. She was ready to say fuck responsibilities and spend the day drowning in booze.

She had no idea how to handle the current situation. She knew the other high-ranking Knights and the Supreme Council would be working to solve the mountains of problems but she still felt as if the weight of Lore was on her back.

Ever since she had gotten back from her solo adventure several years ago, everyone looked to her as a leader. That journey taught her many things, including that there was life on other planets. Yes, Iris knew a few mysterious about the universe and as a result, the Supreme Council trusted her with sensitive information and often let her weigh in on important matters.

Iris never had any big dreams of leadership. When she ran away from home all those years ago, it was in search of adventure. Now here she was leading humanity in its darkest hours, the responsiblity of protecting human kind was thrusted upon her. At times Iris wondered if she had the right stuff for the job.

A knock on the door jarred her from her thoughts.

She looked up to see Van Lycanna standing in the doorway. His black hair was wild. Like her, he had bags under his eyes from the sleepless nights. A long scar ran across his throat.

Guilt seized her and the wound on her chest ached. They both had almost been killed by Dracula thanks to her.

"You've seen better days," Iris said dryly.

Van chuckled. "We both have. Will you be okay on your own?"

"I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you. The Darkness are out there."

The man waved a hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about me. Be more concerned about Kaden."

She was.

There was a silence before he continued, "I'll bring him back, Iris."

"I know you will. Just... be careful."

He nodded. "You too."

With that, he left her alone with her thoughts once more.

It was later when Iris was walking the underground city. People. There were billions so the spaces were cramped. Iris had no idea where this city came from or who built it. It was said that ancient technology was used to build in conjunction with the goddess of light's power to create something of this magnitude.

Her mind went to Sir Jericho. The older man had died saving Kaden. She bit her bottom lip feeling the weight of not only his death but the death of all those who lost their lives during the attack on Dracula's city.

She felt helpless. Iris wanted to puke. She stopped to lean against a steel building.

All those lives. Lost.

Dracula was menace. She thought to herself. He needed to be stopped.

She was lying. Truth was she hadn't planned on going after Dracula so soon. She had been working on a team that consisted of her students along with various other potential. It would've taken several years to groom them but they would be a small army of Lore's finest.

Yeah she knew Jericho didn't die to stop Dracula. Hell, Jericho knew that as well.

Her old mentor died so that Kaden could tame the Dark god's power.

Her head spun. She couldn't stomach the thought of playing god with people's lives.

She inhaled deeply to calm herself.

Focus. She told herself. She needed to find a way to strengthen the Order of Knights. For now, she'd leave Kaden to the search team and concentrate on fortifying defenses.

Iris continued to walk as she racked her brain. How can she make the Order of Knights stronger? Sure they had Medusa and her forces but that wouldn't be enough. Memphis was out of the question this time. She was sure the Order of Knights wouldn't work with that traitor again.

Then it hit her.

Vympiri.

The Vympiri would be in a similar boat as mankind. The Darkness wouldn't spare the Vympiri from what she learned about them. They existed to conquer anything with a pulse.

If she could just get in touch with them.

Who was she kidding? Vympiri wouldn't work with humankind after what happened several days ago. Even if she managed to contact them, how would she convince them to join forces with mankind? It seemed like an impossible task. Yet Iris resolved to make it happen.

That's just how desperate she was.

She knew that everyone in the Order of Knights would oppose. They had been humanity's enemy for a long time. How would she persuade the others to hear her out? It would be like trying to convince someone that skunkbeetles didn't stink. Some were still reeling from the battle with Dracula.

Iris bit her lip again as she made her way to see a member of the council. The one she thought to be the most reasonable.

Some time passed when Iris was walking with councilwoman Berceil. Her grey curls bounced as she walked. They were in the base picked for the council members. It was quite small. Behind them was Berceil's security team.

"Absolutely not!" exclaimed the councilwoman.

Iris wasn't surprised at her answer. She knew her proposal was absurd.

"What option do we have left, ma'am," Iris responded. "The Darkness have taken our cities. Let's face facts here, they are stronger than we are."

Berceil was quiet before she whispered. "But teaming up with Vympiri? We just killed their leader. How do you think a conversation with them will bold over?"

Iris thought for a moment then shrugged. "Like I said the Darkness are stronger than us. Without their leader, the Vympiri will stand little chance too. We have a common enemy. Maybe we could-"

"Enough of this madness. We are not inviting the enemy into our home," she said bringing them to a halt.

"But councilwoman-"

"No but's. If you are adamant about joining forces with the vympiri then you'll have to call a Gathering with the other council members and put it to a vote. Know this Iris, I will not support this ridiculous idea."

With that, the councilwoman stormed off.

Iris knew what she proposed would sound ludicrous. She doubted the other members of the Supreme Council would listen to her request as well. Still, her head told her this was the right move.

Fine. If the council wanted to sit on their hands, then she'd let them.

She however was going to do her best to save humanity. Even if it meant going behind the back of the council.