The fight broke out immediately.
Spells flashed, blows flew, fangs snapped. Miria dodged an attack and projected a wave of energy that sent two opponents to the ground. Kira leapt, her fists wreathed in purple lightning, while Alix, agile, twirled her fire-imbued daggers.
But numbers were against them.
They were surrounded.
A deep voice suddenly spoke up.
- Enough.
The attackers moved away.
A figure came forward, hood pulled down.
When he dropped it, the moon revealed his face: brown hair mixed with silver highlights, golden eyes with wild reflections, and a charming smile.
— Fishlegs... whispered Alix, frozen.
"My dear Alix, it's been a long time," he replied in a falsely gentle tone.
— Tell me, if you're here, it's because your precious Asher and Bryan aren't far away?
- Exactly. And I advise you to leave, Fishlegs.
He laughs, a deep laugh.
—If only it were that simple...
Then, turning to the other girls:
—Aren't you going to introduce your friends to me?
He approached, slowly, observing each of them.
Until his gaze falls on Miria.
"You… you must be Miria.
He tilted his head, amused.
— No wonder. You not only inherited the name, but also the beauty of your great-grandmother.
Miria frowned.
—What are you talking about?
Fishlegs tilted his head.
—Oh, are you interested? In that case, tell me where the Grimoire of the Ancients is, and I'll tell you everything.
— For the thousandth time, I don't know! she replied.
"Maybe… But your father knew," Fishlegs replied calmly.
— Yes, but he took precautions, precisely because he knew that guys like you would be looking for him.
The werewolf's smile widened.
— Maybe... Maybe not. In any case, we will continue this conversation… at my place.
He gestured to his men.
But before they could move, a gust of air whistled.
Black-clad figures, armed with gleaming blades, emerged from the rooftops and the ground. Their appearance was reminiscent of ancient warriors—a mix between samurai and shadow hunters.
The fight resumed with renewed vigor.
The newcomers struck with surgical precision, their discipline contrasting with the savagery of the supernaturals.
Fishlegs, seeing his men fall one by one, growled.
Fishlegs growled.
- Retirement !
He stepped back, staring at Miria with an amused smile.
— We will see each other again, Miria.
Then he disappeared into the mist, as quickly as he had come.
---
Calm returned little by little.
One of the new arrivals stepped forward, lowering his hood.
He was a young man in his twenties, with shoulder-length silver hair, icy blue eyes and a determined look.
Kira froze.
—Eiden?!
"Hello," he said simply, with a half-smile.
—What are you doing here?! Kira hissed, furious.
- I didn't need you! she snapped.
He raised his hands.
- Seriously ?! We just pulled you out of an ambush, and you're yelling at me?!
"I didn't ask you anything," she repeated angrily.
- Seriously ?! he growled. Look, Kira, we can argue later, okay? I came to save you and—
- I didn't ask you anything! she shouted, her eyes burning.
The tension rose. The two stared at each other, their voices breaking between resentment and suppressed emotion.
— (Annoyed) Ikan is ill, said Eiden dryly.
Silence fell immediately.
Kira stared at him, petrified.
- What ?
— He's not dead, don't worry. But he is seriously ill.
He sighed, placing a hand on the back of his neck.
—I wanted to warn you, and get you out of here. But you always have to get angry before you listen.
Kira looked away, her jaw clenched.
—If you had started there...it would have been different.
Eiden rolled his eyes, exasperated.
A little behind, Miria whispered to Alix:
—Who is he?
"His name is Eiden," Alix replied in a low voice. He is the prince of the clan of supernatural hunters.
—So… he's a human? But he is far too strong for a mere human.
"Actually, no," Alix murmured. He's half vampire...and half hunter.
Miria's eyes widened.
—Wait, what? How can a hunter also be a creature he is supposed to destroy?
Alix gave a mysterious smile.
—I'll explain to you as soon as we get home. Trust me, this story is… complicated.