The night burned with fire and steel.
Aria ran through the shattered gates of the outer village, the stench of blood heavy in the air. The ground was slick with rain, mud, and crimson stains, and the cries of the dying cut through the storm like knives.
She had seen skirmishes before, but nothing like this. The war had started not with a roar, but with a slaughter.
Werewolves in their half-shifted forms tore through the streets, claws and fangs flashing. Vampires fought back with blades and supernatural speed, but the surprise attack had left them disorganized. Houses burned, their flames struggling against the relentless rain, and the once-quiet village was now a battlefield.
Aria's eyes blazed with fury. This was Kael's doing — his declaration of war.
"Aria!" Lucien's voice carried over the chaos. He fought at her side, his crimson blade a blur of death as he cut down a charging wolf. "Stay sharp. They're testing us. This is only the beginning."
Aria nodded, her heart pounding. She could feel the fire in her veins screaming to be unleashed, but she forced herself to stay grounded. Not yet. Not until it's necessary.
A massive gray wolf lunged at her from the side. Aria twisted, narrowly avoiding its claws, and slammed her palm into its chest. A burst of flame exploded on impact, sending the creature flying back into the wreckage of a burning hut.
The flames spread, feeding off her fury. The rain hissed against the fire, but it didn't matter — her power was stronger than the storm itself.
Another wolf came at her. She ducked low, swiping a dagger across its legs before igniting her hand once more. The wolf howled in agony as fire engulfed its fur.
The battlefield slowed for her — every sound amplified, every movement sharper. She could see it all: the fear in the eyes of the villagers, the determination in the vampires' faces, the merciless hunger in the wolves' snarls.
And in the center of it all, she stood — no longer just a werewolf, no longer just a girl. Something more. Something terrifying.
"Aria!" Lucien's voice snapped her back. She turned to see three wolves surrounding him, cutting off his retreat. Without thinking, she raised her hands, flames roaring to life.
The fire surged outward, forming a blazing wall that forced the wolves back. The heat was unbearable, even for her. Lucien's eyes widened slightly — surprise, maybe even respect — but he said nothing, only driving his blade through the nearest foe.
For a moment, the tide turned. The vampires rallied, emboldened by Aria's flames. The werewolves faltered, snarling as they regrouped.
Then a howl split the air.
Aria froze. She knew that voice. Even through the storm, even through the blood and fire, she recognized it.
Kael.
Her chest tightened as the massive black wolf stepped into the fray, his eyes burning with rage and betrayal. His gaze locked onto hers, and the world seemed to fall silent around them.
"Aria," Lucien warned, his blade still dripping with blood. "That one is yours."
The fire within her roared, straining against her control. Her heart thundered as Kael bared his fangs, his voice rumbling through the bond they once shared.
"You chose them," he growled. "And now you'll burn with them."
The battle paused, the rain pounding down as the two locked eyes. Around them, vampires and werewolves hesitated, sensing that this was no ordinary clash. This was personal.
Aria clenched her fists, flames sparking at her fingertips. For the first time, she didn't run from her power. She embraced it.
"Then come, Kael," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. "Let's see who burns first."
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