Draig woke with a grimace, it had been a week since the ordeal with Ginji and the Thousand Fold Blade disappearing. The tattoos covering his torso and lower body had become a common sight by now although he wished to know their purpose.

Rising from his bed mat, the Feratu went to the main area where he sat for tea. He had put off on the tournament in hopes his Mana would come back under his control but that wasn't the case, if anything it had become even worse. He had began to grow used to the occasional burning that would come as the paths that his Mana used to stream through his body swelled.

The Vampire sat alone and sipped his tea staring and a.n.a.lyzing the bizarre markings with no inclination as to what had happened, it frustrated him to no end as he had already lived a life time of being clueless about himself only to come here and once again suffer that fate. Though unknown to him his Deva energy would pulse and cause the Tattoos to seemingly come to life which only served to disturb his rampant Mana.

'I need to find a smith that will accomplish what I ask of them, a Sword that will truly channel the Founder's power. . .' contemplated the Feratu as his eyes seemed to lose focus in the midst of his thoughts.

Draig was interrupted from his thoughts when the sound of someone clearing their throat was heard causing him to look towards the yard only to see those he had intended to pit against each other in a deathmatch standing there.

"What is it" asked Draig with a gruff tone.

"Lord we would like to request a leave of this faction. . . . we feel that you are not the one we should follow any longer." spoke the group's spokesperson.

Draig heard this and sneered internally.

'Weak trash, they think that I am truly defenseless without a sword. Fools, I will grant their wish then' thought Draig as he looked forward to watching their regretful faces.

"If you leave now then do not expect to take anything with you other than your swords and personal items, the rest will stay with me" stated Draig calmly as he cast a warning glance to those present.

It seemed they hadn't expected this type of response but the spokesperson agreed regardless, it was only a temporary loss as they would each go find a new faction to join and be taken care of. Thus it wasn't too much of a loss for them to leave the resources they had brought.

"We understand, we thank you for the guidance during this time and hope that we can meet again in the future under better circ.u.mstances" answered the Spokesperson.

It seemed that the news of his Blade disappearing along with the loss of his Deva abilities had spread further than he though as not even two hours after those former Faction members left a group had come to fish in troubled waters.

"So the big shot has fallen from grace" called a larger person.

"Who are you" grunted Draig his eyes narrowed dangerously at the way this person spoke.

It was as if he had found an easy prey, the look of the few that came with him spoke of confidence however Draig had always been keen on humbling the likes of humans. He particularly enjoyed breaking down those arrogant ones.

"Dogs shouldn't bark unless told to" started the Deva causing Draig to smirk.

"I agree. . ." interrupted Draig as he stood up and entered his hybrid form causing the group to gasp in shock as they took a step back due to the surprise.

"Materialization. . . how you lost your powers" shouted the Large Deva his eyes trembled as he felt he had been fed a pile of s.h.i.+t, he had spoken arrogantly believing this tiger had his fangs removed but little did he know it wasn't a tiger he had disturbed. No, it was more accurate to call him the devil.

"Bark, Bark, Bark. Do you mongrels ever shut your mouths, you came here searching for benefits where there was none to be had. Now you will suffer the consequences of your foolishness" chuckled Draig as he bolted from his position his claws gleaming in the light caused streaks as he blurred behind the group before flicking his hands to the side flinging blood from his hands.

The Feratu looked down at the group and rummaged through their belongings finding some meal tickets, he remembered being told that this was the type of currency used on the Deva grounds. Sighing to himself he tucked them away and returned to his spot in the main area, he didn't sip tea this time however as he simply didn't know how.

It was an embarra.s.sing fact that came from him having either simply drank water or had someone to prepare special beverages for him, he dared not think of what horrible concoction would come about if he attempted it.

Sighing to himself he looked towards the arena that had been dug not too far away from his so called Estate and recalled that he didn't have anyone cancel the event. His original intentions of pitting the Unaffiliated that had been in his Faction had fallen through and with the loss of his Mana control those who had become slaves from raiding the Splice Faction had been able to escape.

Now he was in the predicament of having to put on a show with no entertainment, oddly Draig at this moment thought of Souta. He was curious as to where this fervent follower had gone, he hadn't seen him in the past few days which caused him to wonder if he hadn't up and left too.

"So be it. . . my strength will return to me. It is only a matter of regaining control of my Mana and then I will be back to an acceptable level" stated Draig speaking to no one as he spoke aloud his personal thoughts.

Oddly Draig hadn't heard any words from the Founder's Avatar either, the man had been speaking rather frequently since the first time he demanded a sword only to fall silent now.

'What is that Old b.a.s.t.a.r.d up to. . .' wondered Draig curiously as he had always known the Founder to be a rebellious domineering existence even shattering the rules of this world in order to speak to him and state his demands.

As Draig sat there and thought on the matter he was brought to the attention of someone's foot steps coming towards him.