'I didn't expect that my rushed plan would actually work.'
Kael thought to himself, heartbeat pounding against his ribs. Taking Lullaby as a hostage had been a gamble—he had no intention of killing the healer, the one who once saved his life.
But the key was to look convincing, to let the blade press close enough that the vampire would believe his threat was real. And it worked.
Now he stood before Lumino. The man whose thoughts lately Kael could no longer read, no longer predict.
'I felt a strange déjà vu…'
He remembered their first encounter. He had leveled his sword at Lumino's throat in the same way. The sight repeated itself now, only Lumino's face carried a heavier burden, shadows of guilt and defiance twisting his expression.
"K-Kael... why did you take her hostage?" Lumino's voice trembled, yet his gaze held something beyond fear as he searched Kael's eyes.
'Even now? You still questioning my morals?'
Kael gritted his teeth and pressed the blade closer until it touched Lumino's skin, slicing just enough for a bead of blood to run down his neck. "Did you not hear me? I said Explain yourself!"
"There is nothing to explain." Lumino's voice turned icy, almost detached. "What you see is what it is. You've already aimed your sword at me again. You've stopped trusting me—and I understand why."
The words pierced deeper than any blade. Kael's chest ached. He didn't want understanding. He wanted answers. Any reason at all to believe in Lumino again. If Lumino would just explain, Kael would sheathe his sword, would even stand at his side—no matter where it led, even into hell itself.
"Stop this, Kael. Don't you see the situation? I've betrayed you. Now, I stand with Clementine."
'No… don't say that, Lumino.'
"If you wish to stop me, then we'll have to fight. You heard it from Bandi—I intend to extinguish the werewolf race."
'Please… stop talking…'
"I won't stop until I've finished them all. That makes you my enemy now, Kael. If you want to stop me, you'll have to kill me!"
'Shut up—just shut up!'
Drip.
Lumino's eyes widened. His breath caught. He saw it clearly—Kael's face.
Though Kael kept his expression stone-hard, a single tear slid from his left eye, staining his cheek.
'Damn it… am I crying?'
"…Fine." Kael lowered his sword, his voice breaking. "Maybe this is better. From the start, I was wrong to let feelings carry myself."
"K-Kael… you…" Lumino's voice fractured, the sound thin and reedy. His face, illuminated by an unseen light, crumpled, a ripple of bewildered hurt spreading across his features.
But the floodgates broke. Tears streamed faster down Kael's face, hot and relentless. He hadn't cried since he was ten years old, yet now he couldn't stop. He was exhausted, torn between rage and grief.
"Let's end this… I'm tired too," Kael whispered hoarsely.
Without thinking, Lumino reached out and held his hand, his touch trembling. "That's not it, Kael. Please… stop crying."
Kael clenched his fists, lowering his head. 'Pathetic… Why am I crying like a child?'
But when he raised his eyes again—his blood froze.
It happened too fast. Clementine, who had been seated in trance, now stood, a chilling blue aura glowed from her body. In an instant, she was at Lumino's side. Her lips pressed against his throat.
Glek… glek…
Lumino stiffened, eyes wide, his body convulsing. His face drained of color. The grip on Kael's hand slackened until his body crumpled to the ground with a hollow thud.
'Lumi… no.'
Clementine licked her lips slowly, her eyes gleaming with feral delight. A twisted smile spread across her face. "Delicious… it's been far too long since I've tasted blood like this."
She glanced down at Lumino's collapsed form, nudging him with her foot. "Strange… from behind, he almost looks like a woman. Hah…. But I'll forgive him—because he tastes exquisite."
"YOU!!" Kael roared, his voice breaking with fury. His muscles trembled, his eyes burning with rage, tears still wet on his cheeks.
"Oh… so there's another human." Clementine's grin widened, voice dripping with arrogance. She spread her arms as if welcoming him. "Greetings, human. Go tell the other human… Fenrir, the Prince of Darkness, has returned."
---—---
Rodeo and Tivulin, locked in a tense duel, circled each other like predators in a slow dance. Sweat stung Rodeo's eyes, and his lungs burned with each breath. Tivulin, too, was struggling; her chest heaved and her shoulders sagged with exhaustion.
For a fleeting moment, Rodeo's gaze flicked sideways, where Terasvari sat beside Rosalina, seemingly unconcerned, as if the battle were merely a theatrical performance.
'Fight, they said. And yet those two are chatting?!'
"So," Terasvari drawled with that ever-mocking smirk, "how are you and Rosaria? Still short as ever, I see."
"Shut up, Terasvari. I didn't come here to waste breath on you." Rosalina's voice was sharp, but the flicker of annoyance betrayed her restraint.
"Hah…" Terasvari's eyes narrowed, lips curling in disdain. "You dare speak to me like that?"
At once Rosalina clamped her mouth shut, her defiance strangled by the weight of his glare.
Meanwhile, Rodeo staggered, blade lowering slightly. His lungs ached, his legs trembled. 'It's not just me. Even Tivulin's nearly spent.'
He could hear it—the ragged rasp of Tivulin's breath, the stumble in his footwork.
But what about the battle outside? What of Bandi?
He gritted his teeth. 'No. I have to finish this now.'
"Do you yield?!" Rodeo bellowed across the clash of steel.
"Shut it!" Tivulin spat back, though his words came between gasps. "You're the one slowing down—I can feel it!"
Both knew the truth: they were at their limits.
And then—
DUAR! BOOOM!
The air shook. The rooftop trembled beneath their feet.
"You bastard!" A voice roared through the chaos.
Rodeo froze, his eyes snapping toward the source of the explosion. Beyond the curling smoke, Kael stood, his sword hacking wildly at Clementine.
Even Terasvari and Rosalina, who had been seated, leapt to their feet in shock as laughter rang through the air, echoing across the mansion's rooftop chimney where they now stood.
"Is that… Clementine?" Rosalina's voice cracked with disbelief.
"HAHAHAHA!" The figure threw her head back, laughter like broken glass scraping the air. "So brutal… are you truly a human, boy?"
"Shut your filthy mouth!" Kael's voice thundered, trembling with rage. His blade swung again, sparks flaring as steel clashed against the rooftop tiles.
"How dare you—HOW DARE YOU do that to him, to Lumino!"
"Ckckck…" The woman's smirk deepened, eyes gleaming with a feral light. "Isn't it a little much to lose your temper… over a man?"
BOOM—FWOOSH!
Flames erupted as Kael's sword cleaved too deep, splitting a chimney in two.
"Shut UP, you BASTARD!!" he screamed.
Rodeo's blood ran cold.
'What the hell is happening? Why is he attacking Clementine? This wasn't the plan at all.'
"No…" Terasvari's voice dropped, almost a whisper, his usual arrogance fading.
Rodeo swallowed hard, the taste of ash on his tongue.
"That laugh… it isn't Clementine."
Terasvari's face darkened. "He's back. The one who should have stayed dead… but now lives again within her body. Fenrir."
'What?'
Rodeo's gut twisted. "That's Fenrir?"
FWOOSH—CRACK!
The possessed body leapt effortlessly from chimney to chimney, the tiles shattering beneath each step, every motion graceful and predatory.
Those cold, unnatural eyes fixed on Kael. "You… are you truly human?"
Kael's face was a storm—tears streaming unchecked, his jaw clenched, his gaze burning with fury. His aura rippled, dark and unstable, trembling with the sheer weight of his emotions.
Fenrir tilted his head, his expression inscrutable. Though arrogant, he didn't underestimate the warrior before him; the raw power Kael now radiated was undeniable.
"I don't know who awakened me," Fenrir murmured, his voice curling like smoke, "but it seems this woman did. And now, her flesh belongs to me."
SLASH! SLASH! Kael's blade struck again and again, sparks erupting each time steel collided with claw or rooftop stone.
Fenrir only laughed, weaving between each swing with mocking ease. "I won't allow myself to die again. Not when I finally breathe once more!" His voice crescendoed into a roar.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Kael's throat ripped raw with his scream, tears and fury indistinguishable. "I'LL KILL YOU, CLEMENTINE!"
Fenrir's grin sharpened, the hunger in his eyes undeniable.
'So this is the name of this body… Clementine. Interesting.'
He licked his lips, smirking as he caught Kael's blade with one bare hand. Sparks erupted, steel grinding against flesh that refused to break.
"Now I understand how this body works…and how to use the power." Fenrir's eyes glowed, his voice dripping with cruel delight.
Kael's face twisted in rage as he pushed harder, his blade trembling under his grip. "ARGHHH!"
He roared, swinging with all his might.
CLANGGG! Clementine's pale hand caught—stopped His sword.
Fenrir's grin widened into a manic sneer. "Then it's time, human. Now you'll find out what true horror is."
--—--
Alira struggled to hold Rosaria back, her voice trembling yet firm, whispering words of persuasion over and over. But Rosaria's eyes were distant—unyielding, deaf to Alira's pleas.
"Careful, Lady Alira!" Bandi yanked her aside just as a spear sliced through the air where she'd stood.
'Damn it!'
"Bandi, do something! Stop dodging and fight her!" Alira's voice cracked with frustration.
But Bandi only froze. His hands shook violently, lips trembling as if words were caught in his throat.
"It's impossible… Rosaria is one of the 12 high command."
'Coward… don't tell me this bastard's actually afraid.'
"I—I can't fight her…" he stammered.
Alira snapped, grabbing his collar and yanking him close, her eyes blazing. "You spineless fool! You're too afraid to fight, yet you wanted this war? You get to play commander while everyone else dies for you?!"
Bandi didn't argue. His body shook even harder. His voice was a whisper. "I swore… I swore to protect you, even if it costs my life. So please, Lady Alira… run."
'Well… touching words, damn you.'
'But perhaps he wasn't scared. Maybe that's just his trauma.'
CRACK!
Rosaria's spear carved through the ground, forcing Alira to yank Bandi out of its path once again. A sudden grin split her lips, sharp and mischievous.
"So… you'll be my shield then?"
Bandi froze under her gaze, a chill running down his spine.
"Then forward, Bandi. Protect me!"
Rosaria's cold eyes locked onto her. "Another trick? White Witch Alira…"
"Trust me, Bandi," Alira said smoothly, her voice soft but cutting. "You're not afraid of her. You're only afraid of losing. And I promise you this—you won't lose."
"What…?" Bandi blinked, stunned.
But Alira's grin only widened. Her hands extended forward, fingers glowing with a mystic pattern.
"Enchantment; Agility, Movement, Power. TRACE ENCHANT!"
Energy surged into Bandi's body, a tide of raw strength exploding through his veins. His breath hitched as his muscles thrummed with newfound vigor, every heartbeat pounding like war drums.
"I—I feel strange, Lady Alira… what is this?!"
"Shut up and focus, idiot! That's my buff. Use it. Because right now…"
Bandi's eyes widened as his movements blurred with speed, crimson blood whirling around him like blades. Rosaria staggered back, shocked at the sheer force of his strike. The air itself quivered under the blow.
'What the hell...?' She thought, stunned.
"…you're two hundred percent stronger," Alira finished with a wicked smile.
Bandi lunged again, his Blood Manipulation flaring violently, hammering Rosaria backward. In that chaos, Alira slipped toward the warp gate, her steps swift and silent.
'The best move right now is healing Ronovan.'
She appeared at his bedside. His still form lay decaying, a sickening sight. Alira uncorked the potion; its faintly glowing liquid, like starlight, swirled, and the air filled with a sweet, herbal scent. It floated, then wrapped Ronovan's wounds in radiant streams, a cool sensation.
Then she brought a second vial to his lips, tilting it gently. His throat convulsed, swallowing.
'Please… let this work.'
Her hand rose, and emerald waves of magic spread outward, cocooning his body. "Upgrade: Enchant!"
Light engulfed him. Alira stumbled back, shielding her eyes from the brilliance.
And then… she saw him.
A tall frame, lithe and commanding, cast a long shadow. His impossibly refined face was framed by long lashes, shadowing crimson eyes. Black hair rippled, and pointed ears hinted at a supernatural grace.
Ronovan.
He rose effortlessly, brushing his hair back before fixing his gaze on her. His voice was velvet, low and resounding. "You healed me?"
His words were music, wrapping around Alira's heart like silk. Gods, even his voice…
"I thank you, human."
Her chest tightened as she took in his face and presence, everything about him her type. Heat rose in her cheeks, and her lips parted without conscious thought.
"Human, could you tell me where Bandi is?"
"…."
"Hello? Human?" He waved a hand before her face, startling her back into breath.
"Ah—! Forgive me… you're just… so handsome, I got… distracted," she stammered, voice cracking.
'Alira, don't be swayed by him; remember what he was like before you healed him!'
"Sigh… were they behind this, the warp gate?" His eyes sharpened.
'He knows about it?!'
"Yes, Lord—er, Ronovan…"
"Call me Van."
Her heart skipped. "Yes, Van. They're behind the warp gate. We need you on the battlefield. We're… at war."
"There's no need to explain," Van said, his crimson eyes gleaming.
"Despite my condition, I was still aware and could hear everything. In particular, how often you had called me an old corpse, half-dead, half-alive, a wretched man."
'Oh gods—he heard all of that?!' Alira's face flushed scarlet.
"I-I… I apologize…"
"Enough." His tone softened. "We cross now."
"Yes, Van." She saluted instinctively; hand pressed to her forehead.
Together they stepped through the gate.
The sight froze Alira's breath. The mansion ahead was half-collapsed, rubble smoldering. On the battlefield, Bandi and Rosaria clashed fiercely, blood and sparks flying.
"Stop."
Van's voice thundered across the ruins. Scarlet light surged from his body, washing over the ground. Every vampire, every werewolf, every soldier who stood upon the earth with him—froze in place.
Such was the aura of an Elder Vampire.
Rosaria's eyes snapped wide, disbelief cracking her stoic face. "Ronovan…"
Her lips trembled, her gaze brightening almost like a child's. "…That's why I am your fan." She said to Alira
'Eh? Where's your cold, murderous face goes?'
Bandi staggered forward, his expression stricken, his voice hoarse. "Ro… Ronovan…"
Van's lips curved into a faint smile. "Bandi. You look the same. Yet even you… can't hold this chaos together."
'Damn it. Even that looks unbearably handsome.'
Bandi's eyes welled with tears, his body trembling as though he could finally collapse.
Ronovan stepped forward, resting a hand gently atop Bandi's head. "Now… I will end this madness."
His crimson gaze cut through the still battlefield, his voice sharp as a blade. "Now tell me, where is Clementine?"