Iris Eloclipse still couldn't believe councilwoman Berceil was the traitor. Berceil was the one who ordered Memphis to attack the Nadire. She was why Memphis killed the former king of Vyrmm. She was why Rygilya went rogue. Berceil also sold out Kariah-Belle to the Vympiri but to what end?

Iris couldn't make sense of her betrayal. Was it to get to Kaden? Iris was willing to bet so.

Currently, Iris was sitting, surrounded by other high-ranking Knights and the Supreme council. No one had any answers as to why Berceil betrayed them all.

"What of her husband?" asked a Divine Knight.

"Gone without a trace," answered Iris.

The chamber was filled with murmurs.

"What of these visitors you spoke of?" Ask council member Re-Liam. "How will we spot them or they, us?"

"I don't know," responded Iris. "First we need to hope they make it past the Darkness."

"Any word on the key of Atlantis?" he asked.

"No," said another Knight. "Communication went down shortly after the teams entered the labyrinth."

"What about Blizzhaven?" spoke councilwoman Kathrane. "Have we heard from our team there?"

"I'm afraid not ma'am. The extreme conditions there have made communication difficult. However, we sent out reinforcements. If there really are ogres there then we should exterminate them before their numbers increase drastically."

The councilwoman nodded then sighed. "We're completely in the dark here."

Iris agreed. They were blind to anything happening above ground.

It was then that the doors burst open.

"Excuse me!" said the Master Knight. "We uh, have visitors! They request to speak to lady Iris."

Iris got to her feet quickly. "Take me to them."

She followed behind the Master Knight. Everyone in the room followed behind her. Iris's heart raced. To say she was excited was an understatement. This could be what humanity needed to turn the tide against the Darkness.

Remi appeared at her side. The Vympiri looked worried. Iris placed a hand on her shoulder. The Vympiri hesitated before shrugging her off.

At least she didn't yell. They were getting somewhere.

They all stopped at the docking station. Hoverrovers we're scattered about. On the monitor, Iris could see an odd craft hovering just outside.

"Let them in." Iris barked.

The master Knight pressed a button and the doors slide open. The strange craft floated through the tunnel and finally stopped before them.

The door on the sides flung open. Iris saw a bald man with brown skin. He had a scar over his right eye and he wore a white coat over his red and grey armor. His good eye was red.

He smiled at them and Iris saw his fangs.

A Vympiri. Iris thought.

He stepped off the hovercraft and stretched out his hand towards her.

"Iris Eloclipse?" he questioned.

She nodded. She was reluctant to shake his hand but did. "And you are?"

"My name is Alucard Tempest and I believe you killed my brother, Dracula Tempest."

Iris didn't know Vympiri had last names or that Dracula had a brother.

She gave him a serious look as she snatched her hand away. "Are you here for revenge?"

Alucard looked hurt. "Not at all. In fact, let me congratulate you. I'm sure defeating my brother was no easy feat."

"Then why are you here?" Iris asked.

"Because we want you to join the Galactic Order." Alucard cleared his throat. "You see the threat we face is growing stronger. This threat is unlike anything you've ever seen before. We need all the help we can get. If you've managed to defeat my brother then maybe humanity is ready to join the battle beyond the stars."

"Sorry to tell you this but the warrior who defeated Dracula had the help of Darqus. We wouldn't have beaten him without his help. Even then Dracula was worn down fighting me and two other powerful opponents."

"That may be but the fact remains you beat him. If I'm being honest we need your help. Will you aid us?"

Iris looked back at the large group behind her. Were they ready to travel through space? Were they ready to fight a war beyond the stars? Iris didn't know.

"No." She finally said.

"Excellent!" Alucard exclaimed. "Wait, no?"

"We aren't ready. We can't even beat the Darkness on our planet."

"Well someone destroyed the Darkness spacecraft. So I'll say you're pretty damn close."

"What?" Iris was dumbfounded. "Who could've- Kaden," she whispered that last part.

Could her pupil have struck a blow to the Darkness? He did have Darqus' power after all. It wouldn't be impossible.

"I'll fight with you," spoke Remi as she got down to one knee in a bow.

Alucard placed a hand on her shoulder. "Rise young Vympiri. We are all equal here." he then peered at her. "Understand?"

Remi rose. "Y-yes. Of course."

"Are you all that's left of my people?" he asked her.

"More of us are in this underground city. We've allied with the humans."

"Excellent. You've done well."

"Thank you, lord Alucard."

Alucard turned his attention to Iris. "How do you plan on defeating the Darkness?"

"We have troops looking for the Key of Atlantis, hoping it'll turn the tide."

"The Key isn't a weapon."

"What? How do you know this?"

"Because I created it to power this city." a man stepped from Alucard's craft. He was dressed in purple linen and had flowing red hair.

"You? But how? Why?"

"Long ago I tracked Dracula here. When I saw that mankind would have to face the Darkness, I made this city and the Key just in case mankind needed to flee."

Iris took it all in. "Who are you exactly?"

"My name is Ares, a deity made by Kul to guide the mortal races."

"I see. Why didn't you help us back then?" Iris questioned.

"Because by the time I reached your planet, you had won against the Darkness. Aside from that using my power takes a toll. If I had helped you then I wouldn't be able to help when I got back to the Galactic Order."

Iris nodded. "Okay, so what we run?"

"Precisely," Alucard spoke again. "I wasn't allowed to bring a fighting force to help against the Darkness. I didn't think I would need it. We leave here, we live to fight another day."

Iris thought for a moment. "This is something I'll have to take up with my superiors."

She turned to the Supreme Council. "Those in favor of leaving Lore." All raised their hand. It was unanimous. They wanted their people to live.

Iris faced Alucard. "Fine. We'll go with you but I'm not sure we'll be much help."

"Don't worry. We'll help train your warriors once we find you a home. Now, where is the one who defeated Dracula?"

"Not here. He ran off and hasn't come back yet."

Alucard nodded. "Is there a Lightkeeper?"

"She's out looking for the Key."

Suddenly there was a loud buzzing noise. Everyone turned their attention to the monitor. A hoverrover waited for entry. A Master Knight hit a switch and the door opened. Iris was pleased to see Himoria and her group had returned. Himoria held something in her hands.

"Special delivery." Himoria handed the Key to Iris.

Iris could see the bruises and cuts through the broken bits of armor. Her entire team looked like shit.

"Nice job." praised Iris.

Himoria frowned as she looked around. "Aya hasn't made it back?"

Iris shook her head. "Not yet but don't worry. She's got Kariah-Belle looking after her. I'm sure she's fine."

Himoria's mood became cheerful. "I'm sure you're right. In the meantime I need a doctor. I'm hurting all over."