Even with a larger party, teleporting was now second nature to them. Having two goddesses and a god made traveling much less complicated. As the party landed at the vampire settlement, Rissa was impressed with the improvements since moving to Sorbella around a year prior.
What surprised the newer members of the party was the way the settlement was set up. The circular structure was impressive, with the six castles all perfectly spaced. Behind each castle were giant walls, each with a giant gate. The gates led to the vampire nests, which were essentially cities. After another giant set of walls laid a much larger area, where non Original vampires lived amongst humans and Uthra.
"Woah, I didn't expect there to be so many Uthra here! Do they really want to become vampires?" Sera asked Sasha.
"Some do, some don't. God's blood is the most beneficial to us, but very dangerous. Uthra blood is even more potent for us than human blood, but not by too much. Some of them live here because it's nice and secluded, and you can't beat the view!" Sasha said as Dorian and Camilla began walking out to meet them.
"If it isn't the saviors! Didn't I tell you they'd be coming soon Camilla? I told you they'd be coming," Dorian bragged in his usual manner.
'I love Dorian. He always needs that justification from his wife. It's almost like he has foresight!' Sora thought with a wide smile while shaking his head.
"Yes, my love, correct again as always," Camilla said while laughing.
"What's the reason for your visit this time? Either way, come, please!" Dorian said, motioning for the party to follow him.
Julius grabbed Rissa's hand and Camilla immediately teased. "Ooooo. A demon and a succubus. I wonder what type of babies you two will have some day!"
"Awkward," Levi teased.
"There she is!" Lucious exclaimed as he ran out and gave Sasha a hug. "I've missed you!"
She returned the hug and teased, "If you missed me so much why haven't you called… texted… you know any of that in almost 2 years now?"
"Ah, yeah, those cell phone contraptions. Sorry. Well, introduce me to your party!" he said politely.
"That guy is incredibly handsome. He has blue eyes? That's kind of cool. Not as cool as your teal ones, though," Sora said telepathically to Brie.
"He is very handsome. Seems like a genuinely nice guy. Hopefully this doesn't get weird." Brie responded.
After the introductions were done, Sasha asked if she could run off and see her vampire parents.
"Of course. I know you're a daddy's girl at heart," Lucious teased.
Sasha sprinted away, embarrassed. She was eager to talk to her parents.
*****
"There's my girl!" Soren Valencia said as Sasha ran in for a big hug.
"Hey dad! Where's mom? I missed you but there's something I need to talk to you and mom about."
"I'm over here sweetie. Would you like a glass of blood wine?" Lyra, her mother asked.
"Yes please!"
"I'm glad you came to visit. How are your adventures with that party of yours? I see your eyes have become more vivid. You must be progressing along nicely," Soren beamed. He always held a special part in his heart for Sasha. He'd never admit it, but she was his favorite non-biological child.
"They've been really good actually! I was Brie's maid of honor. We met the elves and the Chimera and they agreed to join our alliance. Brie's a goddess now. It's been non-stop but that's not why I'm here. Would you two be upset if I broke off the engagement with Lucious?"
Lyra gasped. Soren smiled.
"Why would you ever want to do that my dear? He's literally perfect in every way," Lyra said while frowning.
"Let's hear our baby out, Lyra," Soren said while giving his daughter a hug. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, I've lived with Sora and Brie for almost two years now. I was shocked when she removed our party from the quest board and said she had a new one to join. Then we found out it was with Sora friggin Lockheart. Anyway, we met an Uthra our second night together, Levi Steele."
Soren interrupted, "Steele. I know that name. Isn't that the famous Uthra family with foresight and saw the prophecies about someone saving or destroying the world and shared it with the gods?"
"Yes, but he doesn't have foresight. He actually has some really cool abilities. I'd like you to meet him. We just told our party yesterday that we've been seeing each other. I think you'll really like him. You too, mom."
"But we wanted you and Lucious to have a happy life together. You could have had super babies. Just imagine, our family abilities with the shadow! If this man is an Uthra, surely, he's significantly younger than you and is mortal," Lyra said disapprovingly.
"Relax Lyra. Yes, it's sometimes tradition to have arranged marriages but I'm not going to force our daughter to marry someone she doesn't want to marry. I don't think Lucious is the type to get upset and angry about it," Soren said as he gave his daughter a wink.
"Levi's ready to literally duel him for me," Sasha said with a blushed face.
"He's willing to go that far? Wow. He must care for you deeply," Lyra said, shocked.
"I really don't want them to fight though. Seriously, what's the point in that? If anything, Sora could just link with Levi and Lucious wouldn't stand a chance." Sasha said with a shrug.
"What do you mean link, my dear?" Soren asked.
After explaining what Sora's linking magic entailed, both Lyra and Soren were mind-blown.
"Sora can share his limitless magical ability and take damage for others? That's amazing. Not even a god has that type of magic," Soren said while stroking his grey beard.
"Sora and Brie are both god and goddess now. Brie just passed the trial of the gods. Sora became one just before they got married," Sasha said with a big smile. "Do you mind if my party comes over to meet you?"
"Of course not! Go invite them for dinner. I'm going to have a quick conversation with the Moonveil's," Soren said before teleporting off.
"I'm sorry mom. I love you," Sasha said as she gave her mother a hug.
"It's quite ok dear. I just hope it doesn't end up in a duel as well," Lyra said while returning the hug and giving her daughter a smile.
*****
Sasha went over to Dorian's castle and invited her party over for dinner.
"How'd your parents take it?" Levi whispered.
"Well. Just be yourself and try not to be too over the top tonight. Please?" Sasha said with a puppy dog face.
"Sounds good. If anything I'll just let Sora talk. That man can talk his way out of anything," Levi said with a smile.
Sora and the party walked over to the Valencia castle and the main dining room had plenty of food for all the members of the party, except for Bishop.
"My goodness. It's Bishop Zeke. What an honor," Soren said with a polite bow. He had just returned and noticed Levi holding Sasha's hand.
"Hello Master Valencia, it's great to finally meet you!" Bishop returned the bow.
"I'm so sorry we don't have any food prepared for you Bishop. Sasha said she had a chimera in her party, not an Ancient one!" Lyra exclaimed.
"It's no worries my lady, I prefer the food capsules the elves made for me and thanks to Sora's dimensional void, he can store as many as he wants! They sent me off with plenty."
"Mr. and Mrs. Valencia, it is an honor to finally meet you. My name is Levi," he said while shaking Soren's hand firmly. He gave Lyra a big hug, which made her smile and laugh.
"I can see why Sasha likes you. Such a handsome young man, and strong!" Lyra exclaimed.
"Mom!" Sasha cried.
"Well isn't that the reason you brought everyone over to meet us?" Soren asked.
"Well, yes, but…"
She was interrupted as Lucious walked into the room.
"I heard someone wants to challenge me to a duel for Sasha's hand?" he said sternly.
"Yes, I'm willing to go that far," Levi said confidently.
Lucious burst out in laughter. "Sasha, why didn't you just tell me? I mean I kind of got the hint when you never came back to see me or anything but a member of the Steele family? That's impressive."
Relief filled the room. The vampires were as noble as the textbooks Sora read growing up said they were.
"A man with a sense of humor! I like it!" Levi said while giving Lucious a bear hug.
Sasha put her hand in her face.
"Looks like Levi has a bigger crush on Lucious than you. That's too bad," Sera teased.
"Lucious, you have no idea how much they've teased Brie and me about being silly little lovebirds. Now hopefully we can all return the favor," Sora said with a laugh. "I'm Sora Lockheart, it's nice to meet you."
"It really is you. Let's take a walk, I want to pick your brain on some things. Master Valencia told my family about some rare magic you possess. Do you mind if we give it a try?" Lucious asked excitedly.
"Sure! Your family uses shadow magic, correct? That's badass." Sora matched Lucious' enthusiasm.
"Yes but we all have our limits. Mine is quite high, but I want to see what I can do with an unlimited magic supply," Lucious said with a grin.
"I will take you up on that duel, for fun?" Levi asked sincerely.
"Even with me using Sora's power?" Lucious asked.
"Sure, why not? Bishop's kicked my ass enough times now anyway. You learn more from losing than you do from winning."
"Sasha, you've definitely picked a great guy. I'm happy for you, really." Lucious said as he gave her a hug.
"WHY ARE YOU SO DAMN PERFECT?" Sera asked as her face turned red.
"Why hello beautiful," Lucious said as he finally caught a glance of Sera.
"Well, this went exactly as we planned it, right gang?" Brie joked.
They all stepped outside to prepare for the friendly duel. It wasn't lost on everyone that Sera was flirting with Lucious the entire way.