It's Halloween season in Heliopolis. Actually, it's harvest season, as well as time for one of the biggest coming-of-age ceremonies in the country. Inside the royal palace, the family prepares for the star-of-the-show's big day. "I can't believe the time has come," Kiyoni realizes as she unpacks her things in her royal bedroom, "The Bath of the Fallen. It's finally here."

"Sounds exciting. I'm looking forward to it," states Kurama from the balcony. He would rather not be nosy while Kiyoni unpacks.

"I'm just glad you were able to come along. I couldn't possibly imagine going through this without you," she meets him outside.

"I can't remember the last time I witnessed a cultural ceremony like this. And to witness your participation, it makes me feel a bit…like a proud parent," Kurama says with a proud smile.

"Proud parent? I know you're technically older than me but, please, stop," Kiyoni pouts.

"Sorry, couldn't help it."

Just then, a couple of knocks on the door interrupts the conversation. Kiyoni's godmother, Ayesha, enters the room with a dark cloak draped over one arm, "Evening, Kiyoni. Shall we prepare?"

"Yes. Sorry, Suu'chi. You have to go," Kiyoni declares.

"Yes, I know. I'll see you later," Kurama departs.

As Kiyoni re-enters her room, her nervousness begins to show, "Mama Ayesha, I'm scared. Did Tai feel this way when it was his turn?"

"He was…a little nervous," Ayesha drapes the cloak on Kiyoni's bed, "but, he was more determined to go through with it. He wanted so much to become a full-blood."

"Yeah. That was his main goal," Kiyoni eyes her future outfit and undresses herself, "And I have my own."

"You are aware of how risky your goal is, right," Ayesha is worried.

"I know but, I want to come out the same way I jumped in; still a half-blood."

"Does Kurama know?"

"He does and he's just as concerned as the rest of you," Kiyoni looks out at the illuminated city below, "There's no telling how many people, out there, want me to become a full-blood after tonight."

"It would be much easier if you do."

"I do that and I might as well say goodbye to everything that keeps me attached to the human world; my friends, family…Suu'chi… I couldn't do that. I can only do so much for this world."

As Ayesha hangs the black and gold cloak over Kiyoni's shoulders, she gives one final warning, "I can't stop you from doing what you want to do. This is your time. All I ask is for you to be careful. Think you can do that, at least?"

Kiyoni throws the hood over her head and ties it in place, "That, I can do."

Drums and torch bearers lead and light the way as a caravan of young vampires walk in unison through the forests of Heliopolis to a large stone temple. A veteran priest and follower of Anubis emerges from the shadows of the temple's gate dressed as god of death. "All, who are of age, may enter here," he announces, "Who, among you, is the descendant of our mother and father? That descendant may enter, first."

Kiyoni emerges from the crowd wearing nothing but the black and gold cloak given to her. That piece of clothing has been passed down for generations with Kiyoni's brother, Tai, being the last to wear it. Kneeling before the priest, she says, "I, my lord."

The priest is slightly turned off by the scent of Kiyoni's half-bred blood. Her redeeming quality is the emerald she wears around her neck. "Daughter of Paloma, you may enter," he claims. The rest of the other vampires enter after her as tribal shrieks from the crowd surround them during their journey.

When the tail end of the caravan moves forward, Kurama takes the initiative to move along with them. He's stopped when Kiyoni's mother, Ava, grabs him by the shoulder, "No."

"Excuse me?"

"We've played our parts when we followed her. There's not much we can do at this point."

"But, she could…"

"That's on her to decide. We must leave now. We have to prepare for the aftermath of the feast," Ava walks away. As a mother, of course she's concerned about her daughter and her plans but, this is a coming-of-age ceremony. A time where Ava must let go and allow her daughter to make her own decisions. It'll come in handy when it's Kiyoni's time to rule.

Hesitant, Kurama follows Kiyoni's parents and the rest of the vampires who have sent their children to the temple. This was definitely an unusual ritual in its own right but, to risk one's life for it? Kurama can't help but worry.

The scent of the red liquid of life is thick as the vampires find their place. Inside the grand hall, lies a pool of blood so large it could rival any natatorium. It's the right size for the three hundred or so vampires in attendance, Kiyoni included. Temple workers have spent weeks perfecting the blood in time for this event.

The Master of Ceremonies steps forward at the head of the pool, "Praise to the most high," the others repeat his statement, "Over two millennia ago, our birth mother and father, Paloma and Musim, received the greatest gift of all…vampirism: the gift of new life. With it, they escaped from the blasphemous tyranny of Rameses only to find paradise, Heliopolis. However, divine gifts don't come without a price. In order to survive, they needed blood. To continue their legacy, they had to share their blood. That cycle of giving and receiving is what brings us to what you have before you. Inside this pool are the hopes, dreams, and desires of your ancestors. The only thing they ask of you is your blood," he raises his staff in the air, "The time has come! Give yourselves to them. Anubis commands it!" Everyone drops their ceremonial robes and cloaks and dive in, Kiyoni is one of the last to jump in.

As the vampires submerge themselves in the pool, shadows of deceased vampires emerge and feed on the young. In order to survive and endure the pain, the vampires drink the blood that surrounds them, healing their wounds. It's time for Kiyoni's plan to come into play. Just before she entered the temple, she pierced her wrists with the heart charm of her bracelet, her birthday gift from Kurama. The quicker she can run out of blood, the less time it'll take for her to sit through this ceremony. With her major arteries in symbolic display, Kiyoni relaxes as the shadows of her former relatives arrive to feed on her nude body; the pain, intense but expected. Her older brother became a full-blood by performing a blood exchange with his ghostly relatives. Kiyoni's plan is to allow the shadows to feed on her until she's moments from unconsciousness or death. If she can catch herself, she'll feed at that point. If it all works out, Kiyoni will emerge from the bath a stronger half-breed.

The sounds of chirping birds become the soundtrack for Kiyoni's morning rise. Mm, it's morning already? What's that smell? She finds herself back in the bedroom of her childhood home and already thinks something is off.

"Mom? Dad," she rushes downstairs and towards the kitchen only to find someone surprising, "…Tai?"

Tai is in the middle of making breakfast when he catches his sister's voice, "Hey, sis! Have a seat, breakfast is just about ready."

Now, Kiyoni is convinced this is the result of the bloodbath. She was warned about experiencing strange visions during the ceremony. "Um, this is the part where you give me some advice, right?" She takes a seat at the dining table.

"Yeah but, knowing you, about five to ten percent of what I'm going to say is actually going to stick inside that head of yours so…" Tai joins her with a serving of omelets and steamed vegetables.

"So…what's your advice?"

"…It's not advice, it's more like an apology."

"An apology?"

"Yeah. I guess you and lover boy were right all along."

"Right, about what?"

"About…not wanting to change. To choose a peaceful life instead of a violent one."

She mumbles, "Told you so," looking at her brother, thoughtfully, "Why? Why did you have us go through all of that?"

"I thought I made it clear. Kiyoni, being what we are, half-breeds, it's basically an abomination. We could never fit in with anyone in any world. Don't you get tired of that?"

Kiyoni thinks about her days with Kurama, "Well, I'd be lying if I said I don't but, Shuuichi accepts me and so does his friends. Whatever else others think about me is irrelevant and has been ever since he and I became friends. And it will stay that way once I get that crown placed on my head. You gave up your humanity for someone who didn't want to be with you in the first place and was with you only because of your sacrifice. You wasted your life for nothing. I pity you."

"Let's get one thing clear: I loved Jaya before and after my transformation and I love her still, even in death. However, we don't have the time to get into specifics. I only have one thing to ask for and it's for your forgiveness. I realize that I can't instruct you on the path you should take…only guide you."

"Guide me? You're dead, how can you guide me," Kiyoni wants to cry.

"You haven't touched your food."

"I'm not hungry."

"Eat the food."

"I said I'm not hungry."

"Fine," Tai places a knife and fork in Kiyoni's hands, "Then I'll help you."

"Tai, I know how to eat an omelet," Kiyoni claims as her brother treats her like a puppet, using the utensils to cut into the food. She's beside herself when she sees red liquid flowing from the egg-like burrito, "What the hell?"

"Think of that omelet as you," Tai whispers in her ear, "Your anemia, plus, our ancestors feeding on you, plus, your open wrists, equals blood loss at a faster rate. You don't have much time. Drink now or you'll be joining me here, forever. Don't want to upset your little boyfriend, do you?"

As Kiyoni is barely slipping in and out of consciousness, she takes her brother's advice. The shadows disappear, highly satisfied from their feast.

Meanwhile, temple keepers (including the MC, himself) stand around the pool waiting for Kiyoni to emerge; she will be the last to do so. When she does, she's immediately rushed to join her blood-soaked comrades outside of the city-state and into the desert surrounding the area where her family, her boyfriend, and other vampires gather to watch the final part of the ceremony.

Along the way, the freshly-bathed vampires are starting to feel the effects of the blessed blood. Some react with orgasmic and bloodcurdling screams, others through seizures and fits of uncontrollable laughter. A former sanguinista (fangless vampire) is having a nervous breakdown as pure vampire blood and a pair of newly formed fangs makes themselves comfortable inside its new host. There has been a history of sanguinistas participating in this event only to come out as full-blooded vampires. Kiyoni sits inside one of the carrier vans in stone cold silence as she watches her comrades-in-blood ride out their new high. Like the rest of them, she only has one thing on her mind, and that's to feed.

When the young emerge from the vehicles, they are greeted by more tribal screams from the crowd. All of them stand blood-soaked and fully nude in front of "Anubis" and Kiyoni's mother. When she raises her arms, the crowd goes silent. Those with lit torches were asked to put them out. There was to be complete darkness for this moment and the rest of the night. "It was on this night, over two millennia ago, that the vampire was born as punishment for the actions of Rameses against Moses. It was on this night, our mother and father lay waste upon Egypt. It was the night…of the Great Feast," Ava announces much to the delight of the crowd. She goes on, "Youth of Heliopolis, your time to feast has come."

"Anubis" steps away from the crowd, raising his staff when Ava joins him, "My children…FEED!"

As soon as that statement is made, the bloodthirsty youth of Heliopolis go out on a hunt. Their target: desert mice. This particular species of rodent has a population surplus around this time of year and have some of the richest blood around. Instead of hunting humans like their ancestral pharaoh and queen, the young will practice their hunting skills with mice. Sensing danger, the mice emerge from their shelters for better ground. It helps them, not. Using their swift speed, the predators pick up their prey in bundles, gnawing, biting, and ripping them apart like nothing. Kiyoni manages to snag three during her first try including a pregnant one. She drinks their blood and consumes their hearts for fun.

Meanwhile, Kurama watches from afar using a pair of binoculars. He puts them down when he senses Ava behind him. "Beautiful, isn't it," she asks.

"A bit…grotesque but, who am I to judge something that's been around for millennia," he responds while never letting Kiyoni out of his sight, "I'm glad she was able to pull it off."

"Her plan? Yes, as am I. The scent of her blood hasn't changed. She's made history, this night. I never been more proud."

Kurama had to agree. He's been a part of history-making events before including the very first Makai tournament set up by Yusuke. Now, he's a witness to the very first half-bred vampire to not only take part in a sacred, life-altering ceremony, but to remain a half-breed afterwards. "Now that the hard part is over, what happens now," he grows slightly concerned.

"They'll go about this for the rest of the night and pass out by morning. It'll be up to the families to find and collect their children. Can I count on you to do that for us?"

"Of course."

"Good," Ava hands Kurama, Kiyoni's ceremonial robe, "Use this when you find her."

The feast goes on all night, as described. Every vampire involved in the hunt is enjoying every second of it. Games, laughter, singing and dancing; it's one big party with everyone in attendance, blood-drunk. Even Kiyoni becomes a part of the crowd, a moment of temporary acceptance that she'll remember forever.

The creator god, Amun-Ra sends his sun across the skies to bring in the new day. Along the country's shoreline, parents and loved ones roam the beaches looking for their family members; Kurama is among them. Overnight, drunken vampires roved the streets of the city still riding their high. Commercial and residential areas were spared due to blood, smeared around the doors and windows; ceremonial gifts for the newly-powered bloodsuckers. Kurama spent the latter part of the night following Kiyoni's every move until he lost her near the Oceanside. Luck comes his way when Kurama finds the princess lying near the waters with the waves barely washing over the lower half of her body. A relieved sigh escapes Kurama's nose as he prepares the robe for her. Thank goodness.

Like a floor rug, the family cloak is draped over her backside. The remaining fabric covers her front making it easy for Kurama to wrap Kiyoni like a burrito. She awakens by the time Kurama carries her away. "Mm, 'morning…Suu'chi," she whispers.

"Good morning, princess. Did you enjoy yourself?"

She nods, "Mhm. You followed me, didn't you?"

"I had to…and I wanted to. A reward for making it out in one piece," a reference to Kiyoni's initial plan.

"Tai says he's sorry."

"Oh, so you did see him? Well, you'll have to tell me all about it. After you've cleaned up."

"Are you going to wash me since you've seen me naked?"

Kurama laughs awkwardly before encountering a couple of royal security, "Maybe some other time."