The Guardian gods
Chapter 365

Chapter 365: 365

"Well, I suppose I can’t argue with that. Just don’t forget, Zephyr—we’re in this together. Whatever comes, you’ll have me at your side."

Zephyr smiled faintly. "I’ll hold you to that, brother."

Zephyr let his body free fall as he let go of his control, he felt the wind rushing by him and the elements excitedly fluttering around him as he got closer to the ground. Once he got close enough it was followed by a shockwave that pushed everything apart as he headed back home.

Down at the southern continent, back at the town now occupied by vampires. The existence of Roth and Xerosis have turned the whole forest near the town into a spooky place.

Every tree, plant and animal in the forest was dead, tree branches were naked with no leaves, the most disturbing thing was the never ending mist that blocked the sight of the whole forest even in day time.

At the town which now looked different from how it was before, looking more rich and developed, a weird sight can be seen in the town where kids are the one mostly seen occupying the town followed by a small group of men and women mostly those up in age.

This weird sight came as a result of vampires and humans mating, once Roth and Xerosis knew it was possible they began a radical take over of the closest town.

Ethan and Roth were prepared to use a heavy controlling hand to take over the town but Xerosis stopped that when she pointed out that a negotiation can be held with the humans of the town, where the benefits of being a vampire can be shown to them as long as both can work with each other.

At first the humans were terrified of the fact that a blood sucking monster is among them and is even going as far as trying to negotiate a deal with them.

Roth at the time was angry at Xerosis as the result she promised was what they got instead they had exposed themselves possibly to the empire.

That was when Xerosis took action, she was for some reason great with the women and it was her connection with the women that gave them the control over the town.

Xerosi’s first target were the mothers and older women, she had Ethan give them the bite letting them get a taste of what it was to be extraordinary, what won them over wasn’t the power but the eternal beauty.

Older women after the bite and feeding of blood found themselves younger and more good looking, it became easy from then on as women began pressuring them men and enticing them to the beauty of the power.

The agreement between humans and vampires centered on mutual benefit. The humans, bolstered by the resources and training provided by Roth and Xerosis, became stronger and more capable. They served dual roles: as a renewable source of sustenance for the vampires and as the parents of a new generation of hybrids.

This arrangement required strict oversight. The town’s leadership established clear rules governing feeding, ensuring that no human was drained to the point of death or harm. In exchange, the vampires offered protection, prosperity, and the allure of eternal beauty and power to those willing to join their ranks.

The half-blood children quickly became the pride of the town. They embodied the ideals Xerosis had envisioned: a union of human adaptability and vampiric prowess. These children could walk in the sun, unlike their full-blooded counterparts, and exhibited extraordinary physical and mental capabilities.

As they grew, the half-bloods were trained rigorously, their talents nurtured to ensure they could protect and expand their community. They were seen as the bridge to a new future.

With their strength consolidated, the town turned its attention to the surrounding villages. The strategy was clear: integration through diplomacy where possible, but force if necessary. Xerosis spearheaded negotiations, her charisma and the allure of vampirism convincing many villages to join willingly. Those that resisted were swiftly subdued by Roth and his vampires, their leaders made examples of to discourage further defiance.

Each village was assigned a specific purpose within the growing domain. Some became agricultural hubs, others centers for craftsmanship or trade. This division of labor ensured that the burgeoning society remained self-sufficient and prosperous.

While the town thrived in the sunlight, the forest became a haven for the vampires during the day. Its eerie transformation continued, with the first generation of vampires reshaping it into a sanctuary.

The mist grew denser, laced with newly emerging vampiric magic, creating a natural barrier that protected them from outsiders. Within the forest, the vampires built hidden structures—training grounds, resting chambers, and fortified outposts. The dead trees were used as raw materials for construction, their lifeless forms repurposed into hauntingly beautiful dwellings.

The forest also became a proving ground. Vampires tested their strength and honed their abilities in its labyrinthine expanse, while the half-blood children underwent rites of passage to prepare them for their roles in the community.

You would think the radical changes happening would be noticed by the empire but it wasn’t as the continent was too big and so the empire tended not to have a strict look over their owned lands.

City lords and mayors functioned with near-autonomy, their allegiance to the empire demonstrated through periodic tributes rather than stringent oversight. As long as they maintained the peace and met their quotas, they were left to their own devices.

This hands-off approach gave rise to a patchwork of small, self-governed territories, each with its own unique culture and challenges. In this fragmented environment, the vampires’ gradual rise went unnoticed. To the outside world, the changes in the forest and the nearby town appeared as nothing more than local peculiarities.

Also the distance from where the capital city and town being occupied by the vampires are months away but Roth knows that as they slowly expand sooner or later they will get on the empire’s radar.

Which is why they are slow with their expansion and make good usage of the best advantage which is time and night. Deep in the misty forest where a peculiar castle stands which was the home of Roth and Xerosis.

Both can be seen having a serious conversation, from the expression of Roth it can be said the conversation was something he was unhappy with.

"Can’t you wait a bit longer sister, we still have a lot of work to do together and I really will need your help with them" Roth said to Xerosis who looked at her brother before shaking her head.

"It’s been a long time coming brother, I have held of these times because I wanted to be of help to you but not any longer, as demigod we don’t need sleep as much but i find myself sometimes sleepy and being called out to having the same dream over and over again" Xerosis said with a sigh.

"If not for our previous encounter and our cousin Ikem who informed me about the beings I see in my dream, i would have still been in confusion"

Roth sighed hearing his sister’s words, he knew she was right and that it was time to let her go but she has been a great help to him during this whole time since they started their journey of creation.

Unlike other demigods who were answering the call of ascension, Roth wasn’t as he held it off, his creations were still young and needed a lot of protection and time to fully grow.

Roth placed a hand on Xerosis’s shoulder, his grip firm but not forceful. "I won’t pretend I don’t understand your decision," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. "The call of ascension isn’t something we can ignore forever. But you’ve done more than enough for me, for us. If this is your time, then you must answer it."

Xerosis placed her hand over his, offering a small, bittersweet smile. "I know how much you’ve sacrificed, Roth. You’ve delayed your own ascension for the sake of this world we’ve built, for the people you’ve brought together. I don’t want my leaving to add to your burdens."

Roth shook his head, his eyes reflecting both pride and melancholy. "You’re not adding to my burden. You’re fulfilling your purpose. That’s all I could ever want for you." He paused, then added, "But promise me one thing, sister. When you ascend, don’t forget about us down here. The forest, the children, the people you helped guide—they’re as much a part of you as they are of me."

Xerosis nodded, her resolve firming. "I won’t forget. This place will always be a part of me. And I will watch over from above till you decide to join me."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the moment settling around them. Roth finally broke the quiet. "Before you go, let me make you a parting gift—something to carry a piece of this world with you into the next."

Xerosis raised an eyebrow, curious. "What kind of gift?"