Chapter 785: The Island That Never Sleeps

The first few hours passed without any issues.

The two enormous Nosferatu transport ships continued through the dark ocean, their engines producing a deep rumble that vibrated beneath Nikolai’s boots. Occasionally, the ships would encounter larger waves, sending icy seawater spraying across the reinforced hull.

Yet the journey was surprisingly peaceful.

So much that Nikolai became even more nervous.

’Fuck... I hate this feeling.’

Nikolai stood near the railing with his arms folded, watching the crimson light spread across the ocean. The Blood Moon had risen higher since their departure, making the water resemble an enormous sea of blood.

He’d never been particularly afraid of the ocean.

But something about travelling towards an island filled with ancient vampires with heavy artillery guns, while that damned moon watched from above, made his skin crawl.

"Darling?"

A familiar voice called him from behind.

Nikolai turned to find Selene approaching, her long blonde hair blowing wildly in the sea breeze. She still wore his favourite jacket, although she’d finally fastened the front to protect herself from the cold.

’Stubborn woman...’

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing. I simply noticed you weren’t resting."

The journey was one prioritising stealth, so it would take them ten hours to reach the island.

"Couldn’t sleep."

"Oh? Then... maybe we could talk?"

Selene stopped beside him before leaning against the railing. Her crimson eyes traced the darkness, and Nikolai noticed her expression becoming slightly uncomfortable.

"You can feel it too, can’t you?"

"...The moon?"

"Mhm."

Selene nodded.

"Ever since we left S-City, the sensation has become stronger. It’s almost like something is raging within my veins, so I came to find you..."

"You’re right. It’s making me feel the urge to fight... to follow my instincts..."

The change wasn’t enough to drive him insane for blood or sex, but he couldn’t deny that his lust, anger and primal desires were much stronger than normal.

’Is it because we’re getting closer to Nosferatu?’

He couldn’t be certain.

However, the thought that Franz might somehow influence their bodies before they even reached the island was unpleasant.

"Don’t use too much of your blood arts unless necessary," Nikolai muttered.

Selene raised her soft brows before nodding. "Mhm, I’ll try my best."

"You don’t even ask me why?"

"Well... I trust you."

"Hah," he chuckled before wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her close enough that the cold sea breeze couldn’t reach her body. "It’s probably because of our huge reserves of power that we can resist it so easily... when we are at our worst, exhausted or injured... that moon will probably have a greater effect."

Selene didn’t say anything back, she just nuzzled her face against his chest while clinging to Nikolai’s body.

"Understood, darling."

Nikolai smiled, gently stroking Selene’s golden hair while she rested against his chest. It was strange how peaceful everything felt despite the danger waiting for them. The sea breeze, the warmth of his wife’s body and the distant rumbling of the ocean waves against the hull almost made him forget where they were going.

’Three or four hours left...’

His eyes drifted towards the darkness ahead.

"Selene."

"Hm?"

"How are the others doing?"

"Quite well, actually. Most of the vampires are resting, although several have complained about an unusual hunger."

"...Hunger?"

"Mhm. Nothing serious, darling. They’re simply consuming more blood than usual."

Nikolai frowned.

’So it’s affecting them too.’

He’d already suspected the Blood Moon might interfere with vampires more strongly than other supernatural races, but hearing Selene confirm their increased hunger made him uncomfortable.

"What about the werewolves?"

"I’m afraid you’ll have to ask that stupid dog."

"...Hahaha."

Nikolai chuckled.

"You’re still angry about earlier?"

"Of course not."

Selene raised her beautiful face, wearing a gentle smile.

"However, if she insists on calling me a bloodsucking bitch, I see no reason to stop calling her a filthy dog."

"...You really are petty."

"Fufufu, only when necessary."

Nikolai lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

"Well, at least you’re honest."

The vampire’s cheeks reddened slightly before she buried her face against him again.

However, Nikolai couldn’t help noticing how Selene’s fingers clenched his jacket tighter whenever the red moonlight passed across her pale skin.

"Are you that nervous?" He gently squeezed her waist. "Let’s head inside there’s no point standing out here freezing."

"Mm... Just a little longer, darling."

"...Fine."

He didn’t have the heart to refuse her.

Nikolai smiled before lowering his head and kissing Selene’s forehead. For several more minutes, the two remained beside the railing, enjoying what little peace remained before they reached their destination.

However, as much as he wanted to remain like this, Nikolai knew they couldn’t afford to become complacent.

Especially when the enemy was Alucard.

***

Almost three hours later.

Beep! Beep!

[Patriarch, please report to the navigation cabin.]

Nikolai’s eyes snapped open.

He’d eventually managed to catch a little sleep, although the strange pressure within his veins made it difficult to rest properly. Even now, his blood felt hotter than normal, constantly urging him to release his power.

’Fuck...’

He sat up from the narrow bed, rubbing his forehead before glancing towards the clock.

’Almost ten hours.’

There was no mistaking what the announcement meant.

They were approaching Nosferatu.

Nikolai grabbed his jacket and left the room, quickly making his way towards the navigation cabin.

When he arrived, Ryan and several engineers were already gathered around the enormous central display. Alexei stood beside them, looking unusually serious as he examined the surrounding monitors.

"What’s happening?"

"Brother!"

Ryan immediately turned.

"We’ve reached the final navigation coordinates."

"Already?"

"Mhm. The island should be somewhere ahead, but..."

"But?"

Ryan scratched his cheek.

"We can’t see the fucking thing."

"..."

Nikolai glanced towards the enormous windows, but there was nothing there. Only the endless ocean stretching beneath the crimson moonlight.

The elderly engineer standing beside the controls quickly stepped forward.

"Patriarch, the navigation system has guided us correctly. However, the island’s actual position remains concealed until we enter the designated approach area."

"How the fuck is that possible? So you’re telling me we’re sailing blind?"

"Not exactly, sir. The transports are following a predetermined route, but the final approach requires authorisation from Nosferatu’s harbour authorities."

’Oh, of course it does.’

"For fucks sake..."

Nikolai rubbed his chin.

He remembered the enormous island from his previous visit. Back then, the Nosferatu had welcomed them as guests, and the sight of those luxurious buildings and lavish gardens almost made him forget about the weapons hidden throughout its territory.

’But we’re not guests this time.’

"Can they recognise these vessels?"

"Yes, Patriarch. The identification systems are still functioning, and we possess the original transport credentials."

"Then what the hell are you waiting for? Keep following the route."

He turned towards Alexei.

"Get everyone ready, but don’t let them transform yet. I don’t want anyone wasting their strength before we even reach the island."

"Got it, Boss."

"Ryan."

"Yeah?"

"Stay here with the engineers. If anything happens, protect them with your life. If we don’t keep them alive, we’ll have no emergency escape."

"NIKOLAI?!"

Ryan’s sudden outburst was understandable, he wasn’t weak. But he was a human, barely even a hybrid with the power of his wife. ’I can’t let him come...’ Nikolai didn’t want to lose his brother, not when the majority of the enemy’s power remained.

"Don’t start...! Once you are certain it’s safe, you can join us..."

At first he kept frowning, but eventually sighed.

"Leave it to me, brother."

Nikolai nodded before turning towards the enormous windows.

’Now then...’

His eyes slowly turned black as they narrowed.

’Let’s see what you’ve prepared for us, Alucard.’

***

Twenty minutes later.

The distant darkness began changing.

At first, Nikolai thought the enormous shadow appearing along the horizon belonged to another storm cloud. However, as their transport moved closer, the shape gradually became more distinct.

It resembled a mountain.

’This is the same island as before?!’

Nikolai stood on the forward deck, staring at the enormous landmass emerging from the darkness.

It was far larger than he’d remembered.

Massive cliffs surrounded much of its coastline, while enormous reinforced walls stretched between the natural rock formations. Countless lights illuminated the higher sections, revealing towering mansions, military installations and the distant outline of an enormous castle.

"...Holy shit."

But what caught his attention wasn’t the architecture.

’Those fucking guns...’

Several frigates rested within the protected harbour, their black hulls fitted with automatic weaponry. Reinforced bunkers occupied the cliffs overlooking the surrounding ocean, while numerous defensive platforms protruded from the lower walls.

He even recognised several positions from his previous visit.

Back then, they’d been carefully concealed beneath decorative structures and greenery.

Now, approaching from the sea...

Their purpose was obvious.

’This entire fucking island is a fortress.’

Nikolai couldn’t help feeling a little impressed that they’d spent centuries preparing for someone foolish enough to attack their home.

And now...

That someone was him.

"Hahaha..." A low chuckle escaped his lips.

’Well, isn’t this going to be fun?’

Suddenly, his communication device crackled.

[Brother! We’ve received a transmission!]

"Ryan?"

[The island’s requesting identification and cargo information!]

’Here we go.’

"Use the original credentials."

[Already sent them.]

"And?"

[Waiting for a response.]

Nikolai stared towards the distant coastline.

Several searchlights began sweeping across the water, their enormous beams occasionally passing over the two approaching transports. To his surprise, there wasn’t any alert or alarm blaring, and they were allowed to approach.

Instead, he watched the distance between them and the dock gradually shrink.

’It’s going too smoothly...’

Nikolai stared towards the cliffs when his pupils suddenly shrank.

One of the concealed bunkers had opened.

Behind its reinforced doors, an enormous artillery barrel slowly emerged and turned towards the leading transport.

’Fuck.’

"RYAN! HARD TO PORT!"

[WHAT?!]

"NOW!"

BOOOOOOM!

The distant cannon erupted with a brilliant orange flash.

Nikolai heard the thunderous roar moments before an enormous projectile tore across the ocean towards them.

The transport suddenly lurched.

BAAAAAANG!

An explosion erupted beside the starboard hull, throwing an enormous column of seawater into the air.

The entire ship trembled.

Several warriors stumbled across the deck, while a violent wave crashed against the reinforced railing.

"AAAAH!"

"ENEMY ATTACK!"

"GET DOWN!"

Nikolai gripped the metal barrier, his golden eyes narrowing towards the distant fortress.

"...You fucking bastards."

Another cannon began turning.

Then a third.

’So they really were expecting us.’

His communication device erupted with Ryan’s voice.

[BROTHER! THEY’VE REVOKED OUR CLEARANCE!]

"NO FUCKING SHIT!"

[THEY’RE LOCKING ONTO BOTH SHIPS!]

Nikolai glanced towards the second transport.

Several smaller explosions had already erupted around its hull, forcing the captain to turn away from the designated route.

’This is bad.’

They were still too far away to launch an effective assault, and the enemy possessed the advantage of elevated defensive positions.

If they remained here...

’Those fucking cannons will tear us apart.’

Nikolai slammed his palm against the communication device.

"ALEXEI!"

[Boss!]

"Get the assault team ready! We’re under attack!"

[Already moving!]

"Tell everyone to remain below deck unless they’re capable of defending themselves. I don’t want our people getting slaughtered by artillery before we reach the shore!"

[Understood!]

Nikolai turned towards the island.

Another flash appeared.

’Again?!’

BOOOOOOM!

This time, the projectile was heading directly towards the transport.

The ship couldn’t take that shot, as the shell would rip the hull apart and destroy any chance of them reaching the port. Nikolai could avoid death with ease, but the people on this vessel, and his wives...

And if that thing struck the navigation cabin...

’Ryan!’

Black blood erupted from his right arm, twisting around his forearm before hardening into an enormous curved blade.

"FUCK OFF!"

He leapt towards the incoming projectile.

CLAAAAANG!

His blade struck the shell moments before it reached the vessel, sending a violent shock through his entire arm.

"Damn it!"

A silent moment passed as the assault troops watched in awe.

BOOOOOOOM!

An enormous explosion swallowed his body.

"PATRIARCH!"

Several warriors screamed.

The blast threw Nikolai backwards through the smoke, his body striking the metal deck with enough force to buckle its reinforced surface.

BANG!

"...Guh!"

Nikolai coughed, rolling onto one knee while his right arm trembled violently.

’Fucking hell!’

His shoulder burned.

Several cracks spread across the hardened black blood covering his forearm, while a thin stream of blood trickled from beneath his sleeve.

He’d managed to stop the shell.

But not the explosion.

’That’s not something I want to repeat.’

Nikolai shook his arm, forcing his blood to repair the damaged blade. He struggled to his feet, watching as the small cannons on the transport ships shot back, barely able to reach the coast from their current location.

It was a hopeless sight.

Yet he couldn’t give up now... he mustn’t!

"Ryan, hurry and find a way to get us to that fucking island!"