( A few hours before the banquet, Planet Zandar )

” Well Zandar is pretty classy for a planet, it’s got that typical stench of iron from all the blood, but otherwise it’s amazing ” Sebastian said as he admired the architectural beauty of the place.

Zandar was the capital planet of the Titus clan ever since they were dethroned and the planet where the current Patriarch Vega resided.

” You’re in vampire land dwarf, of course you will smell blood ” The escort responsible for guiding Max to the palace retorted as he did not like the criticism regarding his home planet.

Sebastian threw his hands in the air, trying to gesture that he meant no offence as the escort rolled his eyes and let the matter slide.

Patriarch Vega had called Max to meet him personally a few hours before the start of the banquet and while Max had his suspicions behind the intent of this meeting, he felt it would be related to high level politics or about the frontline battlefield.

In any case, Max had not wronged the Titus clan at any point and hence he was not worried to meet the patriarch at all.

The palace of Vega Titus was called the ‘ Ruby palace ‘ as it was carved with 1500 tonnes of pure Ruby.

Shiny, blood red and worth more than the entire planet earth, the palace was one of a kind in the entire universe.

” Our patriarch has a grand flare and good taste. When you meet him Captain Ravan please be respectful, we the people love him a lot, and will not respect you eventhough you are a hero if you disrespect him ” The escort said as he cautioned Max

” I have nothing but respect and admiration for the patriarch” Max said as he assured the escort that he would not disrespect Vega.

The man nodded as he presented clearance documents to let him and his guests through the palace security, as while he led Max through the halls to the courtroom, Asiva, Anna, Sebastian and Severus were led to the refreshment rooms.

Vega had especially asked for a one on one meeting with Max, which meant that the rest of the group had to wait till the banquet to get a glance of the patriarch.

After walking for 15 minutes, Max finally reached the gigantic courtroom which was decorated perfectly in expensive silk cloth and Titus clan tapestry depicting the river Sanguis.

Paintings of the previous patriarchs of the clan hung on the walls as anyone walking in would feel intimidated by the gazes of the historic figures of the clan.

Across the hall about 300 metres away was a throne on which Vega Titus was seated as despite the long distance between himself and Max, Max still felt a crippling pressure from his aura.

” I’ll take my leave now, it was an honour to meet you, hero Ravan ” the escort said as he bowed deeply to Vega and then turned to leave the room as the moment he left the doors of the courtroom were shut, leaving Max inside alone with Vega.

Vega looked at Max expressionlessly as he stood up from his throne and began to walk down the steps towards Max.

” When the Universe is thrown into chaos, and darkness raises its head.

Rivers of blood shall flow, A defiant vampire shall raise his head.

Overthrowing the old order, He shall claim the throne.

The blood shall be his weapon, his boon and curse as well.

The blood manipulator will be his name, and the primordial vampire shall be his race.

His destiny shall be great, but his reign shall be not.

His choices shall bring misery, to everyone but himself …….

Ever heard of this prophecy boy? It’s an age old tale of the vampire clan ” Vega said with a smile as both of Max’s hearts began beating uncontrollably out of his chest.

With every step that the patriarch took Max felt more and more suppressed by his aura as his mind went blank as to why the god was narrating the prophecy to him.

Max could see it in his eyes, that he knew Max’s secret. Like all of Max’s cards were already an open book for him to read.

Long ago, The system Remark had warned Max that if his race was ever revealed to the world, then it would cause an uproar within the vampire community.

There was a reason why the primordial vampires were hunted and why they went extinct.

Why Regus Aurelius banned the mad scientist’s research on bloodline extraction and why the Saint Maximus Clan won’t officially take responsibility for Max.

It was because all other vampires were inferior to the primordial vampire, and hence they were afraid of them.

One look behind the closed door let Max know that in this fight or flight situation he had no chance of fleeing and against a tier 7 god like Vega, he had no chance of fighting either.

He was simply fucked.

*************

( A few days ago – A letter from Hazriel to Vega )

” Patriarch Vega, this is a friendly letter without hidden intentions.

I am a believer in the ancient prophecy and a believer in the ideology of the dead vampire king Rumi that one day the primordial vampire will come to claim his throne and all other clans are only keepers for the day till he returns.

Well, he has arisen as a captain within your clan.

I’m sure you will soon receive a very interesting report of his competency and while usually you would reward him without meeting him, I would advise you to meet him and throw him a ‘ Red ‘ velvet banquet.

If you know me, you know I’m a seer and that my master is the unnamed god.

In my vision, I see that if you follow my advice there are many secrets you will uncover and many which will change your universe view.

This exercise will win you my favour and will take your clan to unprecedented heights.

I swear on my honour as an archangel that every word I wrote on this letter is true, but the final decision is ofcourse yours “